Pen of the Year 2008

The Pen of the Year 2008 by Graf von Faber-Castell is a unique limited edition fountain pen, in magnum size, which incorporates the world's smallest herringbone pattern (parquet) of no less than 84 individually cut pieces of carefully-selected satinwood. Due to the naturally varying wood grain and colouring, no two fountain pens are the same and the craftsmanship is simply incredible. There is a chessboard-faceted citrine gemstone mounted in the end-cap, the metal fittings are platinum-plated and the nib is of bi-colour gold which has been largely hand-finished including a final 'running in' stage common to all fountain pen nibs in the Graf von Faber-Castell range. Medium, fine or broad widths available.

The edition is limited to manufacture during the year 2008 and, if all previous years are anything to go by, these delicious writing instruments are likely to sell out completely soon after the year end.

Owners may register their purchase with Faber-Castell for a professional clean and check which is completely free (correct at time of writing).

Each of these limited edition fountain pens is individually numbered and comes in an exclusive wooden case which includes a beautifully designed brochure plus authentication certificate bearing the personal signature of Count Faber-Castell.

More details on the Pen of the Year 2008 by Graf von Faber-Castell here.

National Handwriting Day (U.S.A.)

Today (23 Jan) is National Handwriting Day if you live in the U.S. This is the day to pick up a writing instrument and get writing, rather than clicking away at your keyboard (now... if only I could blog without using one of those!). With a traditional fountain pen in your hand, you can rekindle the sometimes lost art and true creativity of handwriting. So, if you haven't written a poem lately, updated your journal for a while or started that book yet, today is the day to get begin!

So, why January 23rd? Well, apparently, it's because today is the birthday of a certain Mr. John Hancock .... and his is the large, bold signature on the Declaration of Independence. The date was chosen back in 1977 by The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association (WIMA).