Old Celluloid

Write With Luxury

Bruce Lee is in the news for more reasons than the soon-to-release film version of popular television series The Green Hornet that starred Lee. In a bid to honour the action star on his seventieth birth anniversary, Italian pen manufacturer Montegrappa is re-fashioning one of its signature pens, ‘The Dragon’.

1,912 units of the original ‘Dragon’ were produced by Montegarppa in 1995 to celebrate the company’s founding year. While most were fashioned out of black mother-of-pearl celluloid and sterling silver, 100 pens were made in 18K gold. ‘The Dragon 2010 Bruce Lee’ limited edition differs from the 1995 version on several aspects.

The pen is indeed a work of art. The top of the cap flaunts the symbol of yin and yang, a sign of balance. The body and the cap of the Bruce Lee edition is made of red celluloid and black veining. Beautifully detailed dragons adorn both the barrel and the cap of the pen. The dragons on the sterling silver versions have rubies for eyes. Other precious stones like black and white diamonds and emeralds double up as the dragons’ eyes in the more encrusted versions.

Montegrappa is producing 2010 units of the Bruce Lee Dragon priced between $4,675 and $102,200. Collectors, watch out for the 10 ultra-rare sets of a fountain pen, a roller ball and an inkwell costing $290,550.

The recent Emirates Airline and Montblanc new initiative seem to think so. All you have to do is buy a Montblanc Starwalker A380 fineliner writing instrument on board and enter a free draw to win a limited edition Montblanc Skeleton A380 pen worth $20,000. The winner and her companion will be flown First Class by Emirates to Hamburg and will visit the House of Montblanc to see the finishing touches put to the limited edition pen, including the addition of the Emirates logo. The winner will also visit the Airbus factory to see an Emirates A380 being fitted out.

The art of hand written things have become a practice of the past with the influx of computers. But reviving old tradition with grandeur is Montblanc as they use writing instruments as a symbol of luxury at the 2010 TFWA World Exhibition as a tribute to music and watch legends. First of the two instruments comes from the Meisterstück Montblanc Diamond Collection, which is a tribute to Montblanc brand’s star-shaped emblem. The Meisterstück pen features 43-faceted diamonds depicting the company’s policies of “continuity, authenticity and preciousness”.

Next up is the John Lennon Special Edition which is managed as a Donation Pen, proceeds of which will support projects promoting contemporary arts and music. Engraved with John Lennon’s self-portrait: the sketch-signature that he the often scribbled. The guitar head-inspired clip comes plated in platinum complete with the tuning pegs and strings running down the neck, and the black resin grooves going into the barrel give you the feel of vinyl records.

Loiminchay, the pen company known for its modern interpretation of ancient Asian culture, has introduced a new design in its Chinese calligraphy-themed writing instruments. Each pen is priced at $15,000.

Loiminchay’s Calligraphy II models, which come in white or rose gold, are decorated with xingshu (Chinese calligraphy) characters. Just 28 pens will be created in white and rose gold. The black, gold, and red characters and images are depicted in the style of Mi Fu, a calligrapher born during the Song Dynasty who was best known for his misty landscapes.

The style, later coined Mi Fu style, involves the use of large wet dots of ink applied with a flat brush. Loiminchay’s Calligraphy II is the second in a three-part series of writing instruments, each depicting different forms of Chinese lettering and symbols associated with ancient calligraphy.

About the Author

I am Marry Williams. I am covering luxury brands for past 20years. Here I am presenting my views on tracking luxury for the privileged few.

Strange Old Real Bird Feather Postcards and Celluloid Card 1910s – 1920s

Dune 2000 Dune 2000 is a real-time strategy game that requires gallant leadership, cunning tactics, and formidable military prowess to win the Emperor’s challenge by being the first to harvest the most spice and take control of Dune. Three houses have arrived to claim the prize: the honorable House Atreides, the insidious House Ordos, and the vicious House Harkonnen. Whichever house you choose to lead, reme…

Something New, Old And Borrowed $6.99 …

Time Zone – World Destruction $6.99 1983 Reissue Factory Sealed…

The Doll’s House $2.66 The activities, sorrows, and joys of a family of dolls living in an old doll house are related from the dolls’ point of view….

Purse Masterpieces Identification and Value Guide $24.95 Never before has a book examined the intimate link between the fine art of purse making and the fashion history of purses – until now.The volume expands upon recognizing purses as art, the delicate art of purse making, architecture as inspiration, the manufacture of mesh, a look at fabric, rare and unusual pieces, vanity bags and compact purses, frames, and works of celluloid. The book traces the …

Antique Pocket Mirrors: Pictorial & Advertising Miniatures (Schiffer Book for Collectors) $21.00 This delightful compendium of American pocket mirrors showcases more than 500 miniature treasures of early 20th century design. Small celluloid round, oval, and rectangular mirrors were designed as advertising premiums, giveaways, favors, mementoes of weddings and anniversaries, souvenirs from historic sites, and so on. Today they are greatly admired for their exquisitely designed graphics, charmi…

Dovo Synthetic White Straight Razor Folding Knife $68.90 This razor-folding knife features a nickel-plated steel blade with a 5/8″ rounded point. The handle is white synthetic celluloid construction….