With the annual Patron of Art Edition Montblanc celebrates the contribution of historical patrons of arts since 1992. With the Patron of Art Edition 2014 Montblanc pays tribute to the grand master of piano manufacturing, Henry E. Steinway – the man who revolutionized the world of music, dedicating his life to the advancement of the arts.
Henry E. Steinway, born in Germany, was without a doubt the most important piano-building pioneer of all time. After his emigration to New York in 1853, he founded Steinway & Sons – the legendary company whose inventive spirit is manifested in 128 patents to date. Many of the early ones, such as the overstringing technique and the rim-bending patent covering the process of shaping the curved wooden grand piano rim, determined the shape and construction techniques of the classic grand piano. Apart from being a true innovator of his craft, Steinway actively supported New York’s music scene and in 1866 founded the Steinway Hall in Manhattan. The first and largest concert hall of its time was a historical success: to this day, Steinway Halls all over the world serve as cultural meeting places for international musicians and music connoisseurs.
German-born Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg (1797 – 1871) built his first pianos in his kitchen, before immigrating to the United States to set up one of the greatest legacies in modern music history. With his countless patents, Steinway pioneered the modern piano and set the high standards that still prevail in piano manufacturing today.
Available in two editions, the design of the writing instrument is masterfully shaped by Steinway’s vision, celebrating both his remarkable piano innovations, and his outstanding contribution as an influential patron of the arts. He supported many artists through the Steinway Artists’ Programme that still promotes musicians today, and he made music accessible to large audiences at the Steinway Hall, once New York City’s largest concert venue.
The black-and-white lacquered barrel of the Henry E. Steinway 888 Patron of Art Edition represents an octave of piano keys. An engraved portrait of Henry E. Steinway can be admired on the hand-made 750 solid gold nib through the skeletonized cap, which itself is symbolic of an overstrung piano while the filigree engraved pattern on the cap ring is inspired by the Steinway Hall in New York.
In honor of the Steinway grand piano, the Henry E. Steinway 4810 Patron of Art Edition is crafted in deep black lacquer with gold plated fittings. The cap takes inspiration in its design from the overstrung piano developed by Henry E. Steinway and features the Steinway & Sons lettering artfully engraved on the cone ring.
The Au 750solid gold, skeletonised cap of the edition is designed as a reference to the Steinway & Sons overstrung piano and offers a view of the Au 750 solid gold nib, which is decorated with the silhouette of a grand piano. The clip is set with a brilliant-cut diamond, and the shape is inspired by rim clamps, a Steinway & Sons patent. The cone ring is decorated with a Steinway & Sons engraving, while the cap top is adorned with the Montblanc emblem in mother-of-pearl. The design of the Limited Edition 88 features an Au 750 solid white gold skeletonised barrel enriched with piano keys made of ebony wood inlays. The piano keys on the Au 750 solid white gold skeleton Limited Edition 8 fountain pen with transparent underlay are PVD-coated and set with 200 dark blue round-cut sapphires (~0.9 ct). The cap top is set with diamonds (~0.3 ct).
Launch 2014
Limitation:
Fountain Pens 4,810
Fountain Pens 888
Fountain pens 88
Fountain pens 8
Fountain Pen 4810
Fountain Pen 888
