The Holy Grail of pens!

A recent thread of postings on the Pentrace’s yellow board made me think about dealing with this collector’s top subject: the Holy Grail of pens.

Artistic interpretation of the Holy Grail

(picture from bestofdrawsomething.com)

Grail pen … Does it really exist? If so, why most people who claim they found theirs continue to look for others? For there was one "Holy Grail" only and, therefore, the Grail pen should be unique to each individual. And once it is found, the quest should be over. Shouldn’t it?

In my honest opinion, the Grail pen -- the Holy Grail of whatever -- is quite simply a matter of the particular interests we have in a certain period of our lives, just a state of mind. In consequence, to me there is no Grail pen at all.

The Holy Grail is universally known to be a dish, plate, stone, or cup that is part of an important theme of Arthurian literature -- i.e. related to the legend of King Arthur.

According to WikipediA, the Holy Grail, “a grail, wondrous but not explicitly “holy,” first appears in Perceval le Gallois, an unfinished romance by Chrétien de Troyes: it is a processional salver used to serve at a feast. Chrétien’s story attracted many continuators, translators and interpreters in the later 12^th and early 13^th centuries, including Wolfram von Eschenbach, who makes the grail a great precious stone that fell from the sky. The Grail legend became interwoven with legends of the Holy Chalice. The connection with Joseph of Arimathea and with vessels associated with the Last Supper and crucifixion of Jesus, dates from Robert de Boron’s Joseph d’Arimathie (late 12^th century) in which Joseph receives the Grail from an apparition of Jesus and sends it with his followers to Great Britain. Building upon this theme, later writers recounted how Joseph used the Grail to catch Christ’s blood while interring him and how he founded a line of guardians to keep it safe in Britain. The legend may combine Christian lore with a Celtic myth of a cauldron endowed with special powers.”

The story of the Holy Grail and of the quest to find it became increasingly popular in the 19th century. “After Christ's death, Joseph was apparently imprisoned in a rock tomb similar to the one he had given for the body of his grand-nephew. Left to starve, he was sustained for several years by the power of the Grail which provided him with fresh food and drink every morning. Later, St. Joseph travelled to Britain with his family and several followers. He settled at Ynys Witrin (Glastonbury), but the Grail was taken to Corbenic where it was housed in a spectacular castle, guarded always by the Grail Kings, descendants of Joseph's daughter, Anna (Enygeus) and her husband, Brons."

“Centuries later, the location of the Great Castle of Corbenic became forgotten. At the Court of King Arthur, however, it was prophesied that the Grail would one day be rediscovered by a descendant of St. Joseph: the best knight in the land, the only man capable of sitting in the mysterious Siege Perilous. When such a man arrived in the form of Galahad, the son of Lancelot, along with a miraculous, though brief, vision of the Grail itself, a quest to find this holiest of relics began. Through many adventures and many years, the Knights of the Round Table crossed Britain from one end to another in their search. Perceval (Peredyr) discovered the castle in a land that was sickly like its spear-wounded King. When entertained by this "Fisher" or "Grail King", however, he failed to ask of the grail and left empty-hand. Lancelot next reached Corbenic, but was prevented from entering because of he was an adulterer. Finally Galahad arrived. He was permitted entry to the Grail Chapel and allowed to gaze upon the great cup. His life became complete and together grail and man were lifted up to heaven.”  (Extract from Britannias’ “King Arthur in Legend: the Holy Grail”)

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

commiting to finding the Holy Grail 

(picture from www.bbc.co.uk)

Knight Galahad finally finds the Holy Grail at the Great Castle of Corbenic

(picture from WikipediA)

I have already said that I don’t believe in Grail pens. Nevertheless, I own a pair of items that could be somehow considered as Grail pens in the sense these words is widely agreed by collectors. The first one, a whim, is the sterling silver version of the Parker Snake Limited Edition (UK, 1997). I fell in love with this item as soon as I was caught in fountain pen collecting. There was no special reason to have it except I really liked it. This fountain pen was a dream to me. I recall telling myself: “That’s the fountain pen of all fountain pens, the final writing instrument. If one of these days I could afford it, there would be no more pens at all.” Finally, my mother gave this fountain pen to me. And thus my dream came true. But, after that, more than a hundred pens, ballpoints included, have arrived at home -- perhaps a quantity nearer to two hundred. So, was it really the final writing instrument? Did this item end any quest? In those early days of my life as a pen collector there wasn’t even a quest! I liked every fountain pen I saw and this was the one I coveted above the rest.

Parker Snake Limited Edition, sterling silver version (UK, 1997)

My mother, a little before she passed away

My mother passed away during the New Year´s Eve of 2005. So, this true beauty has, in addition, a special significance for me.

The second item we could consider as a Grail pen, a ballpoint, is the result of a methodological search of many years -- the way in which, we are told, a collection of whatever kind should be built. I still remember the day I found it, by chance, on internet -- www.etsy.com; how nervous I got when I realized the seller didn’t sell out of the USA; how satisfied I felt when I managed to convince her to sell the item to me and ship it to Spain; how slowly went time till the item arrived at home; and how I enjoyed it after that. NOS and with original inner box. What more could you ask for? Currently, this item is nearly like just any other of my collection -- very important, indeed, but honestly I don’t feel it as if it were a Grail pen. This ballpoint turns out to be the seldom seen first version of the Paper Mate “Diamond Heart” model, produced in very small quantities, from 1954 to 1957 in the USA. And, guess what? Now I am looking desperately for the model without diamonds, called “Golden Heart”, in order to complete my select group of early Paper Mate ballpoints, I tell myself. In order to feel good again, I should admit! But, for how long?

Paper Mate Diamond Heart, first version (USA, 1954-57)

(image courtesy of the seller)

Just thinking about pens I do not have yet and I would like to have -- but I will probably never have, apart from a Waterman Patrician, a 1940 oversize Hundred Year Pen, an oversize Vac, a Wahl Deco Band and an oversize Doric, all of them in near perfect condition (!!!!!), I wouldn’t mind having the regular production version of the Visconti Ponte Vecchio fountain pen in Pompei Blue -- aka Turquoise -- celluloid and a very expensive -- to me -- Namiki Yukari Royale Kingfisher.

I love everything about the Ponte Vecchio: shape, size, colour, style, weight, nib, the story behind it, … I have no Visconti pens yet. Nor I have tried any. Moreover, the item’s name, “Ponte Vecchio” -- “Puente Viejo” in Spanish -- brings to me happy family memories from my childhood: Puenteviejo is a place -- in the province of Avila -- where an uncle of mine had a villa in which my parents, brothers and I shared many good moments.

Visconti Ponte Vecchio

(regular production version)

Pompeii Blue

(image from www.estilograficas.net)

Vintage postcards (70's)

showing some views of "El Coto de Puenteviejo" (Ávila, Spain)

(images from internet)

Happy family memories at Puenteviejo (70's):

me (the child on the right), my mother (left), my eldest brother (right),

my uncle (center, left) and my aunt (center, right),

in my uncles' villa

me (left), my father (center) and my second elder brother (right)

Some good moments

And what is to be said about the Kingfisher? I love Maki-e craftsmanship, I love Japanese pens, and I love, and how, the scene depicted on this fountain pen. I find it exquisitely executed, colours are vivid, … This item is so beautiful … Nothing to do with my two humble Maki-e -- silk-screen, in fact -- fountain pens, the lastest one -- a Platinum PTL-12000 Modern Maki-e Brush Warbler -- I love, by the way, as if it were a son of mine!

Namimi Yukari Royale Kingfisher

(images from www.worldlux.com)

But, if I owned these fountain pens -- God only knows when this could be possible, would they end my quest? In case there were any …

That said, I must admit that for years now I often look for a fountain pen I will probably never find and which, in this way, somehow fulfills the concept of Grail pen. It has no gold nib. It is not made of precious metals, just as probably the very own Holy Grail. Neither celluloid nor other noble materials. There is no intricate Maki-e work on its surface, no Italian or Russian paintings, … No precious stones. Nothing! In fact, it is not a true collector’s item. It was made of injection-moulded plastic -- not precious resin, just cheap stuff -- and had a plain stainless steel clip and a plain stainless steel nib. I cannot remember much more. It was a humble cartridge school pen. A Stypen, I think. A French brand, it seems. A fountain pen that caught my attention, very many years ago, once I looked at a stationery’s shop window, on my way home from school. The first writing instrument I bought myself, after saving my pocket money for a long time. The first fountain pen I wrote with. The fountain pen that seized me in all of this madness. My own roots! For ensuring the well-being of my family is my Holy Grail. But there is a part of me that wants to come back to its roots, to the time when I was a child, my parents were still alive and everything was really right.

Me at the time I discovered fountain pens

This is the store where, in the early seventies,

my attention was caught by a fountain pen for the first time.

At the moment it was a stationery.

I used to take a look on its shop window on my way home from school.

Currently it is sadly abandoned.

The last business that ran there was a call box for foreigners.

Will I find it? Only God knows! Anyway, I am afraid this wouldn't be my last fountain pen, in case I found it. No, I don't think there exists a Grail pen. At least not for me! Because no pen can treat my illness: hunting! Not animals, but pens instead!

"The Moon and a Rabbit": a first but beautiful and well made entry to the Kanazawa-Haku and Maki-e craftsmanships by Platinum.

"Darling, please, do not buy anything because we cannot afford to do that!" These were the exact words my wife told me just while we were arriving at the Madrid Pen Show last November. Surprisingly -- or not, once the event was over, she had acquired three fountain pens and a ballpoint! Thank God there were a pair of sumguys among them!!!

A gift from The Three Kings to my wife

(she has had to be really good during the last year!)

One of those items, which she got as a "Christmas" present for herself, is a Platinum fountain pen, model PTL-15000H Kanazawa-Haku, in particular The Moon and a Rabbit version. This fountain pen turns out to be a first entry of the well-known Japanese manufacturer to the Maki-e craftsmanship that includes, in contrast to the other basic Maki-e Platinum's models, the use of extremely thin -- around 0.1 micron -- precious metal leaves as ornamental elements. At first glance, the whole motif shows itself really pretty, fine and tasteful -- what obviously caught my wife's attention and even mine. But a more detailed analysis, using a magnifying glass, reveals that the decoration work is skilfully executed. I have been especially impressed by the exquisite lines, made of gold, that make up the grass as well as by the colour, texture and luster of both the moon and the rabbit.

"The highest level of craftsmanship has been generously poured onto these fountain pens

in magnificently decorating them with the Kanazawa-Haku technique"

Platinum Kanazawa-Haku "The Moon and a Rabbit" fountain pen

(from the Platinum Pen Co. web site)

Kanazawa-Haku means, literally, "gold leaves from Kanazawa". Kanazawa is the Japanese city where nearly all the domestic precious metal leaf -- 99% gold, 100% silver and platinum -- is produced. With more than 450,000 inhabitants, Kanazawa is the prefectural capital of the Ishikawa Prefecture. It is located in the central part of the Japan's mainland, in between the Saigawa and Asano rivers. The city southeast area faces the inner mountains whereas the northwest part faces the Sea of Japan. Precious metal leaf craftsmanship, generally called Kanazawa-Haku, is among the Japan's designated traditional handicrafts. Kanazawa is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

Location of Kanazawa in Japan (from http://www.kanazawa-tourism.com/)

Kanazawa and surroundings (from Google Maps)

View of Kanazawa (from http://www.kanazawa-tourism.com/)

Kanazawa, in its turn, translates into English as "marsh of gold". Its name is said to be originated from an old popular legend according to which a peasant, called Imohori Togoro, digging for potatoes, found gold flakes in a local marsh. But, regardless of folkloric questions, the relationship between Kanazawa and craftsmanship based on gold is as ancient as renowned. It is not certain the exact time when Kanazawa first began producing precious metal leaf. The technique of manufacturing leaves of gold was probably imported from China during the late Nara Period or the early Heian Period (ca. 800). Gold had been mined in the Kanazawa's area and at the end of the 16th century the Maeda family, who ruled the former Kaga region (today's Ishikawa Prefecture), ordered the production of gold and silver leaf, inviting many artisans to the city and supporting the development of fine art techniques.

But it was after Rennio "The Restorer", head-priest of the Honganji Temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism, who campaigned Buddhist teaching in the region, when a number of Buddhist temples were built, what led to a high demand for gold leaf. And thus the culture of the Kanazawa-Haku flourished.

Later, at the end of the 17th century, the Shogunate in Edo (present Tokio) allowed gold leaf production in limited areas only so that it was banned in Kanazawa. Even so, Kanazawa's craftsmen strove to establish their own manufacturing industry of precious metal leaf, carrying out their activities with discretion. During the second half of the 19th century, after the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the production of precious metal leaf was revived publicly in Kanazawa and finally, as time went by, it became known nationwide.

Introducing the Kanazawa-Haku craftsmanship

(from the Platinum Pen Co. web site)

In essence, Kanazawa gold leaf is manufactured as follows: First, gold is melted and then mixed with small amounts of silver and copper. After that, this alloy is cooled down and thinned by means of a rolling mill. Then, the gold sheet thus obtained is sandwiched within a special paper and, finally, mechanically beaten to the definitive thickness. Actually, the whole process is long and complex, involving up to seven steps [1]. Production of leaves of other metals is basically the same.

The seven steps of the Kanazawa gold leaf manufacturing process

(from the Platinum Pen Co. web site)

The use of precious metal leaves for ornamental purposes demands for highly skilled hands and traditional bamboo tools to which the leaves do not stick. Indeed, they are so extremely thin that would disappear by a simple rubbing.  Kanazawa-Haku is often combined with other ornamental techniques such as lacquering, providing outstanding results. Precious metal leaves find use not only in art-craft, but also in daily life goods, interior furnishing -- especially in temples, cosmetics and even in food and drinks!

Handling of Kanazawa gold leaf

(from http://japan-articles.japanican.com/en/)

(from http://www.wajimanuri.or.jp/)

(from http://www.photostaud.com/)

(from http://i1.ytimg.com/)

(from http://sumiyoshiya-ryokan.com/)

Examples of Kanazawa-Haku handicraft

(from http://www.scoutnetworkblog.com/)

(from http://global.rakuten.com/)

(from http://new.uniquejapan.com/)

(from http://new.uniquejapan.com/)

(from http://nippon-kichi.jp/)

(from http://travelswith.zen-aida.com/)

(from http://www.japantrendshop.com/)

USB memory sticks

(notice the similarity between the designs of the first two and the last one

with those of the Platinum Kanazawa-Haku

Goldfish, The Moon and a Rabbit and Changing Autumn Leaves

fountain pens)

Kinkaku-ji temple, decorated with Kanazawa-Haku (from http://www.scoutnetworkblog.com)

Presentation of the Kanazawa-Haku craftsmanship by Platinum

(from the Platinum Pen Co. web site)

The rest of the Platinum's Kanazawa-Haku family:

Red Mt. Fuji, Changing Autumn Leaves, Goldfish and Swirling Petals of Cherry Blossoms

(from the Platinum Pen Co. web site)

The Kanazawa-Haku collection is made up of five different versions: "The Moon and a Rabbit", "Red Mt. Fuji", "Changing Autumn Leaves", "Goldfish" and "Swirling Petals of Cherry Blossoms". Each one depicts a traditional scenic spot of Japan or a scene from the Japanese four seasons. In particular, The Moon and a Rabbit version features a white rabbit running in the grasslands under the light of a full moon. This collection is based on the black version of the Platinum PTL-10000 -- 18K gold nib -- Standard model, a light, relatively slim cartridge/converter fountain pen made of AS resin. The pen section of this fountain pen has metal inner reinforcements, while its feed is made of a translucent material -- a tradition in the brand's history. Trim is gold plated metal, exquisitely manufactured, in particular the clip, appealing, which shows two parallel lines at each side running along the whole length of its rectangular shape. A wide raised band strengthens and adorns the lower part of the cap, whereas another wide band and a thin ring embellish the end of the section. Finally, one more thin ring between the barrel and the section and two tassies -- into which black plastic jewels are set -- at the top and the bottom complete the decoration of the PTL-10000 model. When this fountain pen is capped, the ring between the barrel and the section remains visible and, together with the cap band, causes a beautiful effect. In short, a well-done writing instrument, with all the quality standards that Japanese manufactured products and, in particular, Platinum offers at low retail price -- 10,500 JPY, around $100.00. And a good starting point for a Japanese fountain pen decorated by hand at the entry level. Add that this fountain pen writes superbly and that its nib has a pleasant tad of flexibility and you would be probably sighing for one before completely reading this review!

Platinum PTL-10000 Standard

(from the Platinum Pen Co. web site)

Platinum cartridges -- carbon ink

Platinum 500 converter

In The Moon and a Rabbit fountain pen, the rabbit, reproduced on the barrel, is made of silver leaf. Delicate silver lines realistically portray the rabbit's outline. On the other hand, the moon, depicted on the cap, as well as the grasslands, spreading along the whole pen, are achieved using a variety of different techniques of applaying gold leaf. Each particular fountain pen, as with the rest of the Kanazawa-Haku family, is finally coated with transparent Urushi lacquer and polished by hand in order to protect the motif and provide the writing instrument a glossy and resistant surface. The outstanding result is tastefully presented in a natural wood box. Few photographs are able to capture the beauty of this fountain pen.

Out of box, it looks remarkably elegant in the hand! And, as commented before, it performs outstandingly!!! Despite my wife's pen came with a Japanese fine -- European or American extrafine -- point size, it provides an unsurpassable ink flow, using Platinum's dye stuff ink -- black, on every kind of paper. Moreover, the pen transmits very pleasant sentations while writing. Not in vane Platinum has always put emphasis on its nibs. In this case, special attention is given to the thickness: the base of the nib is thin and becomes thicker towards the end, which provides the tip a perfect balance between appropriate firmness and resilience. All in all, easy of writing and really good vibrations! The retail price of the Kanazawa-Haku model is 15,750 JPY -- around $150.00, but one can get one for a little bit less out there. It is offered with two point sizes only: fine or medium is your choice! No other writing modes -- i.e. ballpoint, mechanical pencil or rollerball -- are, to my knowledge, available.

Details of the Platinum Kanazawa-Haku "The Moon and a Rabbit" fountain pen

(from engeika's web site)

The full Kanazawa-Haku family, with version numbers

(from the Platinum Pen Co. web site)

Fortunately, my wife also bought another Platinum fountain pen based on the PTL-10000 model, a PTL-12000 Modern Maki-e Brush Warbler, this one just for me -- Ain't she nice? Equipped with a Japanese medium -- European or American medium/fine -- point size, I enjoy this fountain pen even more than her Kanazawa-Haku. In short, I have tried three Platinums in all my life -- the two Standard-based, decorated models mentioned in this article and a #3776 Century, the Century Bourgogne reviewed in another article -- and I must honestly admit and say that they are among the best writing instruments I have ever had in my hands! It is not surprising that I am beginning to think Platinum plays in a higher league than the rest of the fountain pen brands!!! These three ones will not be our last Platinums. For sure!

To conclude, I would like to mention that gold leaf has been a tradition in my country for many years too. It was widely used, for instance, in interior furnishing of churches, particularly to adorn altarpieces. In Spanish, gold leaf is called "pan de oro". Concerning handicraft, Toledo is worldwide famous for its damascening. There exist some -- not very many -- fountain pens which exhibit beautiful examples of this craftsmanship.

Altarpiece coated with gold leaf

(Sta. María del Cubillo hermitage, Aldeavieja, Ávila)

By the way, the couple getting married in the background are my wife and I.

Damascening handicraft from Toledo

(from Wikipedia)

Technical specifications:

• Manufacturer:   PLATINUM (Japan)
• Model's name:   Kanazawa-Haku
• Version:   #87 The Moon and a Rabbit
• Period of production:   2012 - ...
• Target public:   men, women
• Main construction material:   injection moulded plastic (AS) with Kanazawa leaves                                                          and Urushi coating
• Filling-system:   cartridge/converter; there exists an adapter                                                                         for standard international cartridges to be used
• Trim:   gold plated
• Lenght:   5.48 in (13,9 cm) capped; 4.80 in (12,2 cm) uncapped;                                                        5.91 in (15,0 cm) posted
• Girth:   0.51 in (1,30 cm)
• Weight:   16.7 g (empty, i.e. without cartridge/converter)
• Nib:   18K solid gold; offered in F (fine) and M (medium) point sizes

[1]   For a more detailed view of this process, please, follow this link.


Some interesting links related to Kanazawa and the gold leaf craftsmanship:

• Kanazawa, Wikipedia.
• Homepage of the City of Kanazawa.
• Tourism in Kanazawa, including the Gold-Leaf Museum.
• Kanazawa Craft Tourism.