The year 2016 marks an important timeline for the Graf von Faber Castell to commemorate its roots. The marriage of two industrious families that gave birth to this esteem brand Graf von Faber Castell.
The period around 1900 is one of the most exciting eras in Europe when manifold innovations and prowerful tradition, aspiring entrepreneurs and glamorous aristocracy, Art Nouveau and the beginning of modern design are clashing.
During this period, Lothar von Faber succeeds in producing the first branded writing instruments in his pencil factory new Nuremberg and thus lays the foundation for his company's international reputation. When it is time to appoint his successor, he chooses his grandaughter Baroness Ottilie von Faber. The sole heiress to the large modern pencil company makes the acquintance of Count Alexander zu Castell-Rüdenhausen from one of the oldest German aristocratic families. The noble family of the "Castell" is first mentioned in records in 1057. To the present day its name has always had a beautiful ring to it. The Castell family owns the oldest private bank in bavaria and one of the oldest vineyards in Germany.
Baroness ottilie von Faber and Count Alexander zu Castell-Rüdenhausen get married in 1898. Due to a testamentary clause in Lother von Faber's will, the company should keep the "Faber" name for all time. The marriage thus creates the new noble family of "von Faber-Castell".
Managing a large company - and at such a young age - is more than unusual for a woman in those days. Ottilie, a beauty with a strong character, masters the challenge with excellence and her marriage addsnew glamour to the family and company. Lother von Faber's decision proves to be fortunate and crucial for the company's development in the 20th and 21st century.
The marriage requires Alexander to take on new responsibilities, too. As a calvary captain of the 6th Chevau-léger Regiment in the Bavarian Calvary and an aristocrat, he is not prepared for working as a merchant and does not have any qualifiations useful for the production of pencils. Nevertheless, he quickly to manage the global business in Stein, which he serves with great loyalty and dedication. In 1905, the launch of the Castell 9000 in his regiment's colour green is a great success. The pencil is characterised by a new standard of quality and value which is still valid today -- a true classic and the inspiration for the refined guilloché mental barrel of the fountain pen "Limited Edition Alexander", which is lacquered in the same green.
A fitting expression of the flamorous marriage is a new, luxurious lifestyle. The noble family has the castle modified and expanded. The precious materials used as well as the exclusivity of the overall design are impressive to this day. Important designers and artisans are hired, like Bruno Paul who plans the representative rooms down to the last detail. Artist, designer and architect in one, he succeeds in combining elegance and modernity like no other. One of his most famous students is Mies van der Rohe and Karl Lagerfeld still admires bruno Paul today.
Bruno Paul designs the study and the ladies' lounge, for which he creates functional furniture of impressive elegance made of precious materials.
The study serves as Alexander's office offering a view of the expansive factory site from the bay window. With its leather seating and expressive desk it is one of the most impressively furnished rooms in the castle.
The ladies' lounge is equally stunning thanks to the exquisite furniture. In this room Ottilie's desk is of particular importance, which is ornamented with precious marquetry. Chairs with delicate patterned fabric showcase her favourite colour violet. The smallest movement or change of lighting allows individual segments of the pattern to stand out amidst finest shading effects. This play of colour and pattern is subtly reflected on the barrel of the "Limited Edition Ottilie" fountain pen.
The two rooms superbly express the personalities of Ottilie and Alexander von Faber-Castell. With colours, patters and their extraordinary craftsmanship, they inspired the fountain pens of our "Ottilie & Alexander Limited Edition Heritage".
The metal parts are made of solid silver. The grip, end cap and cap are adorned by the hallmark. The front end of the elegantly fluted cap is decorated by the double knurling characteristic of our Sterling Silver writing instruments as well as by the intertwined initials A, O, F and C -- a display of filligree craftsmanship. The words "Handmade in Germany" are engraved in the decorative ring. The 18 carat, bicolour gold nib has been inscribed by hand. The end cap features an engraving of the collection's name "Limited Edition Heritage" and limitation of each of the fountain pens to 1,898 pieces, representing the year of Ottilie's and Alexander's wedding.
Individual Graf von Faber Castell Limited Edition Ottilie Heritage Fountain Pen can be purchased or as a pair with Alexander Heritage Fountain Pen.
The legacy unveals from the idea of enclosing a thin graphite lead in a wooden casing was several hundred years old; it was not new when the ancestors of Faber Castell founded a pencil factory in 1761. It was only when the great great grandfather of Baron Lothar von Faber, who took over the family firm in 1839, was the first to turn the pencil into a genuity quality product of functionality and the world's First Brand Name writing implement.
Standards for the length, diameter and hardness of pencils; standards which apply till today. He was credited for creating a series of fascinating products which continued to set an example of Simplicity and Design.
The GrandFather of Count Anton von Faber Castell; Count Alexander zu Castell-Rudenhausen carried on this tradition. The Faber Castell company which takes its name from Count Anton's grandfather's marriage to Lothar von Faber's granddaughter Ottilie, is not only the oldest manufacturer of wood cased pencils, but also the world's best known name in graphite and colour pencils.
Graf von Faber Castell 's elegant design continued to reign till today more than 250 years later. With wonderful collections like the Pen of The Year POY and classic quality collections like the pernambuco wood, ebony and its iconic Perfect Pencil still the favourite of many generations to come.
Timeless design remains the heart of the company since then and will continue to be so to bring the life Simplicity Is A Luxury Itself; an embodiment of luxury of simplicity, harmonious combination of selected quality materials, aesthetic looks and a high standard of functionalism.
Visit Elephant & Coral Singapore to see more of Graf Von Faber Castell's collection
Call us at 67361322 or sales@elephant-coral.com for more information.
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