The Pen of the Year 2012 fountain pen emphasizes the outstanding craftsmanship of the Graf von Faber-Castell collection. Each pen is produced for twelve months using exclusive materials such as mammoth ivory, amber, or Indian satinwood in a luxurious setting.

Scarcely any other wood expresses such an enigmatic beauty as ancient wetland oak wood. It takes a long, long time for an oak tree to turn into such a sought-after and precious wood. Its deep, often gnarled textures make wetland oak look like driftwood found on the shore. But in fact, these extraordinary pieces of wood have been buried for as many as 8 000 years in German bogs and marshes. The discovery of each find is a matter of chance and each piece seems to have a mysterious story to tell.

The Golden Fleece, the Nibelung Hoard, El Dorado – no metal has fascinated mankind across centuries and continents as much as gold has: people have decorated themselves with it and fought over it. Its very name is synonymous with value and sovereignty and it expresses both power and love. At the beginning of the modern age it was one of the key driving forces behind the great voyages of discovery as people searched for El Dorado, the legendary land of gold.

A fascinating encounter: the deep structure of ancient wetland oak, whose beauty has been naturally wrought over thousands of years, together with gold, that lends a supernatural sheen to the most beautiful works of art created by mankind. A sensitive and masterly touch is demanded, if gold leaf is to mould perfectly to the graining of the oak barrel of the pen. The gold leaves are carefully applied by hand using a fine squirrel-hair brush. A 4 000-year-old technique is used that dates back to the Egyptians and is mastered by only a select few people today. Such an extraordinary craft demands particular artistry and skill.

After studying old Venetian gilding techniques and winning the Bavarian State Design Award, the gilder and church painter Ernst D. Feldmann has achieved the almost impossible: Layer upon layer of 24-carat gold leaf is applied to the oak pen barrel in an intricate and detailed process. Embedded in resin, this reveals a unique pattern of reflections that only the purest gold can display.

Each individually numbered writing implement comes in an exclusive deep black wooden case. A certificate, signed personally by Ernst D. Feldmann, attests to the 24-carat leaf-gilding on the centuries old German oak wood, as well as to the limited edition to 1500 fountain pens.

The combination of gold leaf and ancient wetland oak makes the Pen of the Year 2012 an extraordinarily luxurious fountain pen. The 18 carat bicolour gold nib is available in line widths M, F and B, each one "run in" by hand. The endcap protects the twist knob for the filling mechanism. All metal fittings are 24-carat gold-plated. The masterpiece is crowned by a chessboardfaceted citrine gemstone set in the cap.

The "Pen of the Year" edition highlights the Graf von Faber-Castell Collection's commitment to superior quality. The production period of each edition is strictly limited. This fine writing instrument edition results from a combination of using exclusive materials and ensuring elaborate craftsmanship over a period of one year.

To ensure this exclusive writing instrument gives you many years of writing pleasure, Graf von Faber-Castell is pleased to offer a complimentary annual service having your Pen of the Year checked, cleaned and maintained through their specialists. You are eligible for this service after registration of your Graf von Faber-Castell Pen of the Year on their web site (www.graf-von-faber-castell.com).

Please choose your preferred nib below.

€ 3.500,00