The legendary founding of Rome in 753 BC is the start of a rise unparalleled in the ancient world. Even today, in the early 3rd millennium, the great rulers, magnificent buildings and historic cultural achievements continue to fascinate time and again: they are the inspiration for the creation of the Pen of the Year 2018.
A unique aura surrounds ‘statuario’ marble from Carrara. Michelangelo used this extremely fine-grained gleaming white stone to create his monumental David, probably the best-known statue in the history of art. In the world of luxury, statuario stands for elegance and prestige to meet the most demanding standards. It forms an impressive sight in the entrance hall of the Faber-Castell castle, for example. For the ‘Imperium Romanum’ Pen of the Year 2018 we have chosen a special variety of statuario. Each individual pen is produced by hand with masterly skill in the Stephan jewel studios. Inserted between the marble segments of the barrel are platinum-plated rings decorated with laurel wreaths, symbolizing fame and success, and lending the pen its inimitable elegance. A further unusual detail in this edition is the elaborately worked cap with an engraving of the famous Colosseum and a miniature Roman penny (denarius). The denarius in the cap of this edition is modelled on a very rare silver coin from the year 44 BC depicting Caesar’s head. We found the original at Ritter in Düsseldorf, a prestigious dealer and certified coin expert.
The radiance of the Black edition stands in fascinating contrast. In the search for a suitable opposite number to white statuario marble we made a lucky find in the Iberian peninsula, once part of the Roman empire. Nero Marquina from the Vizcaya (Biscay) region in the Basque country combines in a refined way a basic black colour with pronounced white veins. It harmonizes perfectly with the anthracite-grey titanium PVD coating that gives an ever-changing appearance in use. The fountain pen is fitted with a ruthenium-plated 18-carat gold nib, already run in by hand, which matches perfectly the very masculine appearance of the barrel. The cap of the “Black Edition” is also adorned by an engraving of the Colosseum and a miniature Roman penny (denarius).
All are individually numbered and come in a highly polished black wooden case. A certificate bearing the signature of Count Charles von Faber-Castell attests that these are all strictly limited editions.
Fountain Pen, Platinum-plated - Limited to 400 pieces.
Rollerball Pen, Platinum-plated - Limited to 120 pieces.
Fountain Pen, Exclusive Black Edition - Limited to 330 pieces.
Rollerball Pen, Exclusive Black Edition - Limited to 100 pieces.
*The 2018 Pen of the Year is no longer available.
