By Bill Riepl
One
of the more interesting events at the Chicago show was the display of
prototype pens at the Classic Pens table. The upcoming Classic Pens CP7
has been the subject of considerable discussion in the pen community of
late, being made on the wonderful Sailor pens, the initial prototype in
plain sterling silver arrived a while ago. All that remained was to see
what sort of engraving was going to be used on the final versions.
Well, that question is answered! The CP7 will be made in a pair, Pacific and Atlantic, and the two patterns of guilloche engraving chosen represent the characteristics of both oceans very well. The soft gentle curves of the Pacific, as well as the more forceful nature of the Atlantic come across clearly in the two patterns.
As we've come to expect, the engraving work is first class, being done by Murelli in France. There were nine prototype patterns on display, each of which would really be considered a winner in it's own right. The task faced by Classic Pens was to winnow these nine pens down to just two final choices. Not an easy job!
Like all CPs, the original ideas for the engraving patterns came from Andy Lambrou and Mary Burke, with the guilloche engravings applied by the craftsman Marc Murelli. All guilloche engravings developed by Classic Pens and Murelli are exclusive to Classic Pens and many are registered in North America.
The choice has been made, and the final selections should be made public soon, but we thought it might be interesting to take a quick look at all nine of the patterns that were on display. Keep in mind, though, only two of these will be made, the remainded join the ranks of legendary prototype pens. In other words, if you fall in love with the wrong pen, you're out of luck! (Ask me how I know....)
