A Brief Introduction to White
Mountain Trading Company
Hello ladies
and gentlemen and thank you very much for exploring our eBay bout Me
page!My name is Drew Friedman, President of White Mountain Trading Company,
L.L.C., a specialty retailer of fine gifts, including Michel Perchin pens, Gerstner
& Sons solid
wood tool chests, home furnishings,
collectibles, coins and currency, works of art and occasional antiquities,
based in Hunt Valley, Maryland, directly north of downtown Baltimore. As
always, I continue to devote my time to bringing interesting and unique items
of quality and value to our eBay Store. I strive to maintain a solid
reputation online by employing seven basic principles to assure you an easy and
enjoyable transaction with our family owned business.In summary they are:
1) representing unique, high quality items;
2) using honest, straightforward descriptions and
photographs;
3) personally providing the best possible customer
service;
4) securely packaging and shipping items myself in most
cases;
5) using the most economical, swift and secure form of
delivery;
6) effecting easy, convenient and reliable forms of
payment; and,
7) dedicating myself to your 100% complete and total satisfaction!
So, as an informed, online
shopper, if these are the qualities you are looking for in an Internet
retailer, please consider this an open invitation for you to explore our eBay
listings.Youe sure to enjoy the view
from the top of White
Mountain!Let the trading begin!
A little help getting
started
To further assist with you
making informed decisions about potential purchases on eBay, we recently started publishing a
href="http://reviews.ebay.com/">guideson eBay detailing many of the
products available for sale at White
Mountain Trading Company.These
brief articles, or summaries, are meant to provide useful and specific
information regarding items you may find elsewhere or purchase from us on
eBay.Over the coming weeks and months
we will be publishing additional guides detailing products like fountain,
ballpoint and rollerball pens from Michel Perchin,
American made oak, cherry and walnut, tool and hobby chests from Gerstner & Sons, art glass from Fenton, coins from the US Mint, currency from the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing,
and other fine suppliers and manufacturers.
So as you begin, or
continue, your shopping experience on eBay please be
sure to visit White
Mountain Trading Company Guides on eBay for information that will broaden
your horizons and keep you in the know!
Have fun and feel free to contact us if we can be of
more assistance!
Michel Perchin Fine Pens:
As a long standing Michel Perchin Authorized Retail Dealer we have featured many
beautiful and unique luxury fountain pens in our eBay Store over the
years.Although we may be temporarily
out of stock on some of the items listed below, among the fine writing
instruments featured here in the past, or presently, are the:
Michel Perchin
Metropolitan Fountain Pens
Michel Perchin
MP4 Fountain Pens
Michel Perchin
MP4 Rollerball/Ballpoint Convertible Pens
Michel Perchin
Imperial Fountain Pens
Michel Perchin
Desk Pens
Michel Perchin
Star of India Fountain Pens
Michel Perchin
South Beach Fountain Pens
Michel Perchin
Russian Fountain Pens
Michel Perchin
Hampton Fountain Pens
Michel Perchin
Fleur-de-lis Fountain Pens
Michel Perchin
Monogram Fountain Pens
Michel Perchin
Serpent Fountain Pens
Michel Perchin
Ballpoint Pens
Michel Perchin
Art Deco Fountain Pens
Michel Perchin
Gothic Fountain Pens
Please scroll down the page
further to read more in-depth descriptions of each of the pen collections outlined
above.
**************************************************************************************************************************************************************
- The Michel Perchin
Ballpoint Pen Collection:
The purpose of this guide is
to familiarize you, the potential buyer, with the Michel Perchin
Ballpoint Collection of fine, sterling silver and enamel, writing
instruments.We will define the edition
size, detail the color palette, and highlight the important features of these unique, limited edition, twist mechanism ballpoint
pens, for the benefit of new and experienced collectors and admirers of fine
pens alike.
Although well known for its
meticulously crafted fountain pens, one of Michel
Perchin, Inc. earliest production pens was a
limited edition pair of writing instruments simply known as the Ballpoint
Collection.The pens were produced in
two colors only, warm amber hard enamel with 22K yellow gold plating and royal
blue hard enamel with rhodium plating.
The pens were slated for production of only 888 pieces
in each color, beginning in 1997, but not all serial numbers were
completed due to time constraints, strict quality control standards, and the
introduction of newer designs.Recently,
however, Michel Perchin, Inc. was able to reschedule
and complete production of a limited quantity of serial numbers that were never
completed when the pens were first being produced
Many Michel Perchin
authorized retail dealers sold out of these items in the last several years
but, some of the newly produced pens may be available.The original manufacturer suggested retail
price (MSRP)
for these items was $1100 apiece but some matched serial
number sets, (a hard to find occurrence due to production scheduling and color
variation), may sell for more in the after market or collector market.
These ballpoint pens feature English hallmarked, .925
Sterling silver, and one-piece barrels, fitted with a twist mechanism cap
which retracts the ballpoint refill into the body of the pen.
The sterling silver pen barrels are precisely
engraved, (known as guilloch/span>), prior to the
application of translucent hard enamel in multiple layers using a goose
quill./span>The alternating ave patternengraving gives
the pens a shimmering effect when turned under light.
The serial number for each pen is engraved on the cap
ring after the words Michel Perchin:
The numerator, or top number
of the serial number, indicates the pen position in the production
sequence.The denominator, or bottom
number, indicates the MAXIMUM number of pens to be produced in the series.
The ballpoint refill extends
out through the nose cone of the pen with a twist of the cap.
It retracts again into the
body of the pen with a twist of the cap in the opposite direction.The pen accepts a Schmidt brand, P 900 style, ballpoint
refill which should be available at most office product stores
or stationers.
Lastly, one great feature on
all Michel Perchin pens is the beautiful engraved P
Elephantlogo.The elephant was chosen
as a mascot for the Michel Perchin brand because of
its recognition as a symbol for prosperity and good fortune in many middle to far eastern cultures.
*******************************************************************************
- The Michel Perchin
Serpent Fountain Pen Collection:
This discussion pertains to
the Michel Perchin Serpent Pen Collection, a pair of beautifully
hand crafted, sterling silver and enamel fine writing instruments from this
world class manufacturer.As with our
other uidesabout Michel Perchin pens, we will
define the edition size, detail the color palette, and highlight the important
features of these unique, limited edition, luxury fountain pens, for the
benefit of new and experienced collectors alike.
Like many of the early
fountain and rollerball pens produced by Michel Perchin, Inc.,
the meticulously crafted Serpent Pens, were fashioned after actual Faberg/span> Eggs, namely the Blue Serpent Clock Egg and the
Pink Serpent Clock Egg.The pens were
produced in two colors only, French blue soft enamel with Rhodium plating and
Champagne Pink soft enamel with 22 carat yellow gold plating.(The Faberg/span> Blue Serpent Clock Egg crafted by Michel Perchin, while head- workmaster
for Peter Carl Faberg/span>, influenced the design of a second Serpent Clock Egg in Pink
Enamel that was commissioned by Consuelo Vanderbilt around 1902.Only the second American at the time, behind
Henry C. Walters of Baltimore, to acquire a Faberg/span>
work of art, Consuelo had wed Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill, the
ninth Duke of Marlborough,
herself becoming Duchess of Marlborough in the process and gaining influence
enough to have such a commission produced.)
The pens were originally slated for production of
only 500 pieces in each color, beginning in 1997, but not all serial numbers
were completed due to time constraints, strict quality control standards, and
the introduction of newer designs.(See
our other short guide discussing serial numbers for limited edition
items.)Recently, however, Michel Perchin, Inc. was able to reschedule and complete
production of a limited quantity of serial numbers that were never completed
when the pens were first being produced.
In this second production run though, the company appedthe ultimate
production edition quantity at 250 pens.
That means some Michel Perchin Serpent pens
were first engraved with a serial number which was x of 500 but, among the
second production run, some pens were engraved as x of 250.Even in two production runs, in total, less
than 250 Serpent pens were ultimately completed in each color.Among the completed serial numbers was the
250/250 but there is no existing 500/500 as the total edition size was adjusted
downward.In fact, very few pens with
top serial numbers in the 200 range made it to the marketplace so that would be
a rare find indeed!
Like nearly every other edition, many Michel Perchin authorized retail dealers sold out of these items
in the last several years but, some of the newly produced pens are still
available at White
Mountain Trading Company on eBay.
The original manufacturer suggested retail price for these items was
$3,700 apiece but some matched serial number sets, (a hard to find occurrence
due to production scheduling and color variation), may sell for more in the
after market or collector market.
The Serpent Fountain pens feature English hallmarked,
.925 Sterling silver, in a two-piece, (cap and barrel), design where the front
section of the silver overlay serpent on the cap lines up perfectly with the
back section of the serpent on the barrel when the pen is closed.
The sterling silver pen barrels are precisely
engraved, (known as guilloch/span>), prior to the
application of translucent soft enamel in multiple layers.(See our other guide detailing the different
enameling processes.)The alternating
ave patternengraving gives the pens a shimmering effect when turned under
light.
The serial number for each pen is engraved on the cap
ring after the words Michel Perchin:
The numerator, or top number
of the serial number, indicates the pen position in the production
sequence.The denominator, or bottom
number, indicates the MAXIMUM number of pens to be produced in the series.As mentioned before, the revised edition size
of the Michel Perchin Serpent Pens is 250 total pieces in each of two
colors.(See our other guide regarding
serial numbers.)
Each fountain pen is fitted
with a Michel Perchin brand, medium size fountain
nibs but can be converted to Fine or Broad sizes as well.The 18 carat yellow gold nibs with the Michel
Perchin elephant logo are fabricated in Germany and feature ebonite feeders.The pens use a converter cartridge but a
simple ink cartridge refill can be used and, brand new, the pens came with 6
ink refills.Each pen came seated in a
Swiss made leather or maple display box, packed inside a smart-looking
cardboard dust cover box adorned with the Michel Perchin
logo.Further, each pen package, again,
when new, contained a Michel Perchin Certificate of
Authenticity, that should be completed with purchase date and location of the
authorized reseller, care instructions and one cleaning cloth.
Both the Blue and Pink
Michel Perchin Serpent Pens were produced in diamond set pieces in only 10
pieces per color and appropriately serialized.
The suggested retail price for each of the Diamond Serpent Pens was $8,000
and subsequently sold out at the manufacturer and retailer level.Like other diamond set Michel Perchin pens, these are highly desirable collector items
that could command a price of $10,000 or more in the secondary or collector
market.
Thanks for reading and hope
you found this information useful.If
you wish to send us a question about the Michel Perchin
Serpent pens, or other editions, please feel free to contact us by clicking on
the Ask Seller a Question button in any of our eBay listings! Also, be sure to read our other guides and
check back regularly for updated pages in our eBay Store.Thanks for reading!
*******************************************************************************
- The Michel Perchin
Imperial Fountain Pen Collection:
This discussion pertains to
the Michel Perchin IMPERIAL PEN COLLECTION, a set of beautifully
hand crafted, sterling silver and enamel fine writing instruments from this
world class manufacturer in celebration of its TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY in
2005.As with our other uidesabout Michel Perchin
pens, we will define the edition size, detail the color palette, and highlight
the important features of these unique, limited edition, luxury fountain pens,
for the benefit of new and experienced collectors alike.
Design Elements:
In celebration of 10 years
in business, Michel Perchin,
Inc., undertook production of a wonderfully complicated new fountain pen in
2005.The precision crafted IMPERIAL
PENS, were inspired by the extraordinary designs of the Russian Royal Palace.The
intricate high relief, or double level, guilloch/span>
work, (engraving), resulted in a pen better admired through a 10K loupe so that
the incredible detail can be appreciated.
Only the cap and very end of the pen barrel were enameled using the old
world art of hand applied vitreous enamel.
(See our other guide discussing enameling methodology.)The barrel of the pen remains uncovered by
enamel so the writer is treated to feeling the texture of the multi level
engraving in full three dimensions.The
crown style cap was revisited from the Michel Perchin
Fleur-de-lis pen, a popular earlier edition.
The Michel Perchin IMPERIAL PENS were produced
in three primary colors, royal blue hard enamel with 22 carat yellow gold
plating, ruby red hard enamel with 22 carat yellow gold plating and opalescent
(pearl) white hard enamel with 22 carat yellow gold plating.There were two additional SPECIAL MAKEUP
colors, canary yellow hard enamel with Rhodium plating and colonial blue hard
enamel with Rhodium plating.
/span>
Edition
Size:
The Michel
Perchin IMPERIAL PENS were produced in EXTREMELY
LIMITED EDITION quantities, (see our other guide discussing the relative term,
limited edition), as follows:
Royal blue with Gold Plating88 pieces
Ruby Red with Gold Plating 88 pieces
Opalescent White with Gold Plating 88 pieces
Colonial Blue with Rhodium Plating50 pieces
Additionally, one Michel Perchin
IMPERIAL PEN was produced in an ULTRAL LIMITED EDITION quantity as follows:
Canary Yellow with Rhodium Plating15 pieces
Total aggregate production 329 pieces
Although not always the case, production of every
color combination of the Michel Perchin IMPERIAL PENS
was complete so no remaining pens will be produced by the manufacturer.
Availability
& Price:
Although no longer being produced by Michel Perchin, Inc., the IMPERIAL PENS are likely still to be
available at an authorized retail dealer, including White
Mountain Trading Company, and eBay PowerSeller.However, some colors are being reported as
sold out at several retailers although these items can show up in the secondary
and/or pen collector marketplaces.The
manufacturer suggested retail price for these items was $3,200 apiece, a
price considered low by many measures.
However, Michel Perchin, Inc., wanted to
present a collectible pen to the marketplace, in celebration of its 10th
business Anniversary, at a more appealing price to express gratitude to the
collectors who have patronized the brand since its inception in 1995.Although scarcely available, a buyer may
still find some matched serial number sets of the three primary colors but
because of the different production quantities of all five total colors a
matched set of five would be impossible to find.
Precious
Materials:
Once again, the Michel Perchin
IMPERIAL PENS feature English hallmarked, .925 solid Sterling
silver, in a two-piece, (cap and barrel), design.Further, the pens are completed with vitreous
hard enamel, a painstaking process whereby liquefied enamel is applied to the
engraved pen caps and barrels, by hand, using a goose quill.Layers of enamel are subsequently built up
and alternatively hard fired to bond the enamel to the Steling
silver.The finished pens are then
plated in either 22K yellow gold or Rhodium (a precious white metal in the
platinum family), for lasting luster.
Serialized
Edition:
The serial number for each pen is engraved on the cap
ring after the words Michel Perchin.
The numerator, or top number
of the serial number, indicates the pen position in the production
sequence.The denominator, or bottom
number, indicates the MAXIMUM number of pens to be produced in the series.As mentioned before, the edition size of the
Michel Perchin IMPERIAL PENS was 329 total pieces, 88
in each of three colors, 50 in a fourth color and only 15 pens in a fifth and
final color.
Components:
The Michel Perchin
IMPERIAL PENS were each fitted with a special 10th Anniversary
Michel Perchin brand, medium size nib.(See below.)
Fine or Broad nibs were also
produced but in small quantities only.
If a customer prefers a Fine or Broad nib, Michel Perchin, Inc.,
could perform the conversion based on availability of the nibs.Extra nibs can be purchased for $200 each,
either from an authorized dealer or from Michel Perchin
directly, again based on availability.
The 18 carat yellow gold
nibs, (alloyed with Iridium for strength), with the special Michel Perchin X, 10th Anniversary logo are fabricated
in Germany and feature ebonite feeders.The pens use a converter cartridge but a
simple ink cartridge refill can be used and, brand new, the pens came with 6
ink refills.Each pen came seated in a
Swiss made leather display box, packed inside a smart-looking cardboard dust
cover box adorned with the Michel Perchin logo.Further, each pen package, again, when new,
contained a Michel Perchin Certificate of
Authenticity, that should be completed with purchase date and location of the
authorized reseller, care instructions and one cleaning cloth.
Quality:
Michel Perchin writing instruments give the word ualitya new
meaning. Their unique designs reach back in time to capture elegance unknown in
today world of mass production. No expense is spared in materials and
workmanship. The result is a powerful statement of value to be handed down from
one generation to the next.This
uncompromising quality of Michel Perchin writing
instruments is recognized by their presence in the Pen Museum in Paris, France.
Thanks for reading and hope
you found this information useful.If
you wish to send us a question about the Michel Perchin
IMPERIAL PENS, or other editions, please feel free to contact us by
clicking on the Ask Seller a Question button in any of our eBay listings! Also, be sure to read our other guides and
check back regularly for updated pages in our eBay Store.Thanks for reading!
******************************************************************************************
- The Michel Perchin MP4
Rollerball/Ballpoint Convertible Pen Collection:
This discussion pertains to
the Michel Perchin MP4 Rollerball/Ballpoint
Convertible Pen Collection, a set of beautifully hand crafted, enameled
sterling silver and fine acrylic writing instruments from this world class
manufacturer.As with our other guides
about Michel Perchin pens, we will define the edition
size, detail the color palette, and highlight the important features of these
value priced, limited edition, fine writing instruments, for the benefit of new
and experienced collectors alike.
Design Elements:
Michel Perchin, Inc.,
first introduced the MP4 Rollerball/Ballpoint
Convertible Pen Collection in mid 2005 in celebration of their 10th
Anniversary.Because of the size and
color palette of the MP4 edition, production has continued into 2006 and the
selection of pens has expanded to five color combinations in total.The precision crafted MP4 Pens, were inspired
by the magnificent design of the Faberg/span> "12
Monogram" Egg with intricate, high relief, guilloch/span>
work in an elegant scrolling pattern.
The MP4 pen is adorned with an Italian made acrylic cap in order to keep
the weight of the pen down and create a first time ever price point that many
more customers will find appealing.The
solid Sterling silver barrel feels perfectly balanced in the hand and the Rollerball refill makes for smooth and effortless
writing.This is a very handsome and
high quality pen well suited for every day use. The MP4 name stems from the fact that this
pen went through 3 previous iterations as a prototype before the final design
criteria was perfected on the fourth attempt.
The Michel Perchin MP4 Convertible Rollerball/Ballpoint Pens were produced in a total of five
color combinations, blue enamel barrel and mystic blue acrylic cap with 22
carat yellow gold plating, ruby red enamel and jet black acrylic cap with 22k
yellow gold plating, midnight blue enamel and acrylic cap with rhodium plating,
emeral green enamel and jet black acrylic cap with rhodium
plating, and slate blue enamel and jet black acrylic cap with rhodium
plating.
Edition Size:
Each of the Michel Perchin MP4 Rollerball/Convertible
Pens will be produced in fairly limited edition quantities of 999 pens in each
of the five colors.Actual finished
production quantities may vary as some pieces may fail to pass the rigorous
quality control inspection.At the time
this guide was published production continues on the series well into the
calendar year 2006.Total aggregate
production quantity of the MP4 pens will not exceed the maximum 4995 pens
scheduled for production.
Availability:
Since the Michel Perchin
MP4 Rollerball/Ballpoint Convertible Pens are still
in production, they should be available at most Authorized Michel Perchin Retail Dealers, including White
Mountain Trading Company, an eBay Power Seller.Of course, on hand inventory of colors may
vary from dealer to dealer.Since the
Blue/Gold and Red/Gold combinations have been on the market for the longest
period of time, thusfar, it is likely they will be
the first pens in the collection to sell out both at the maker and the retail
level.The MSRP (manufacturer's
suggested retail price), for the MP4 Rollerball/Convertible
Pens is $990.00, a value price given the pen's meticulous craftsmanship and
Sterling Silver barrel and componentry.Although scarcely available, a buyer could
potentially still find an entire matched serial number set of all five colors
but because of alternating delivery times between colors a matched serial
number set of five pens would be a real find.
Precious Materials:
The Michel Perchin
MP4 Rollerball/Ballpoint Convertible Pens feature
solid Sterling silver, (.925 pure), barrels and Italian made acrylic caps.Further, the pens are carefully completed
with soft enamel.The finished pens are
then plated in either 22K yellow gold or Rhodium, a precious white metal in the
Platinum family, for a lasting luster.
/span>
Serialized Edition:
The serial number for each
pen is engraved on the cap ring prior to the "M" in the engraved
name, Michel Perchin.
The numerator, or top number of the serial number, indicates the pen
position in the production sequence.The
denominator, or bottom number, indicates the MAXIMUM number of pens to be
produced in the series.As mentioned
before, the total edition size of the Michel Perchin
MP4 Rollerball/Ballpoint Convertible Collection is
4995 total pieces across five different colors, or 999 pieces in each
color.
Components:
Each Michel Perchin
MP4 Rollerball/Ballpoint Convertible Pens is
delivered with one P 900 Schmidt brand Ballpoint refill and one P 8126 Schmidt
brand Rollerball refill.Extra refills can be ordered from an authorized
dealer or can usually be readily found at most better office products or
stationary stores.Each pen is shipped
in a Swiss made leather display box, with soft ecru colored lining, and smartly
packed inside of a cardboard dust cover box with Perchin
logo.Further, each pen package, when
new, should contain a Michel Perchin Certificate of
Authenticity, that should be completed with a purchase date and location of the
authorized reseller, and care instructions/warratny
information.
Quality:
Michel Perchin
writing instruments give the word quality a new meaning.Their unique designs reach back into time to
capture elegance unknown in today world of mass production.No expense is spared in materials and
workmanship.The result is a powerful
statement of value to be handed down from one generation to the next.The uncompromising quality of Michel Perchin writing instruments is recognized by their presence
in the Pen Museum, in Paris, France.
Thanks for reading and hope
you found this information about the MIchel
Perchin MP4 Rollerball/Ballpoint
Pen useful.If you wish to send us a
question about this item or any other Michel Perchin writing
instrument, please feel free to contact us by clicking on the Ask
Seller a Question button in any of our eBay listings! Also, be sure to read our other
guides and check back regularly for updated pages in our eBay Store.
**********************************************************************************************
- The Michel Perchin MP4
Fountain Pen Collection
This discussion pertains to
the Michel Perchin MP4 Fountain Pens Collection, a set of
beautifully hand crafted, enameled sterling silver and fine acrylic writing
instruments from this world class manufacturer.
As with our other guides about Michel Perchin pens, we will define the edition size, detail
the color palette, and highlight the important features of these value priced,
limited edition, fine writing instruments, for the benefit of new and
experienced collectors alike.Please
pardon the fact that this guide looks much like the MP4 Rollerball/Ballpoint
Pen Collection guide, with the exception being these are fountain pens.
Design Elements:
Michel Perchin, Inc.,
first introduced the MP4 Rollerball/Ballpoint
Convertible Pen Collection in mid 2005 in celebration of their 10th
Anniversary.A runaway success, Michel Perchin, Inc., is following up that collection with the
same collection in Fountain Pens due to customer demand.Thus, in addition to the continued production
of the MP4 Rollerball/Ballpoint Pen collection,
introduction of the Michel Perchin MP4 Fountain Pens
is scheduled for Summer 2006.
The precision crafted MP4 Fountain Pens, like the
Rollerball version, were inspired by the magnificent
design of the Faberg/span> "12 Monogram" Egg
with intricate, high relief, guilloch/span> work in an
elegant scrolling pattern.The Michel Perchin MP4 pen is adorned with an Italian made acrylic cap
in order to keep the weight of the pen down and create a first time ever price
point that many more customers will find appealing.The solid Sterling silver barrel feels
perfectly balanced in the hand and a German made 18k gold medium nib makes for
smooth and effortless writing.This is a
very handsome and high quality pen well suited for every day use. The MP4 name stems from the fact that this
pen went through 3 previous iterations as a prototype before the final design
criteria was perfected on the fourth attempt.
The Michel Perchin MP4 Fountain Pens will be produced in a total
of five color combinations, blue enamel barrel and mystic blue acrylic cap with
22 carat yellow gold plating, ruby red enamel and jet black acrylic cap with
22k yellow gold plating, midnight blue enamel and acrylic cap with rhodium
plating, emeral green enamel and jet black acrylic
cap with rhodium plating, and slate blue enamel and jet black acrylic cap with
rhodium plating.
Edition Size:
Each of the Michel Perchin MP4 Fountain Pens will be produced in fairly
limited edition quantities of 999 pens in each of the five colors.Actual finished production quantities may
vary as some pieces may fail to pass the rigorous quality control
inspection.At the time this guide was
published (June 2006), the MP4 Fountain Pens have not yet been delivered.Total aggregate production quantity of the
MP4 Fountain pens will not exceed the maximum 4995 pens scheduled for
production.
Availability:
The Michel Perchin
MP4 Fountain Pens should be available at most Authorized Michel Perchin Retail Dealers, including White
Mountain Trading Company, an eBay Power Seller.Of course, on hand inventory of colors may
vary from dealer to dealer.As popular
historical favorites Michel Perchin pens have always
been strong sellers in the Blue/Gold and Red/Gold color combinations.By all past measures these colors may be the
first pens in the collection to sell out both at the maker and the retail
level.The MSRP (manufacturer's
suggested retail price), for the MP4 Fountain Pens is $1390.00, a value price
given the pen's meticulous craftsmanship and Sterling Silver barrel and
components.During the initial delivery
period of Summer 2006 it may be possible for collectors
to find entire matched serial number sets of all five fountain pen colors but
because of alternating delivery times between colors a matched serial number
sets are very difficult to anticipate.
Precious Materials:
The Michel Perchin
MP4 Fountain Pens feature solid Sterling silver, (.925 pure), barrels and
Italian made acrylic caps.Further, the
pens are carefully completed with soft enamel.
The finished pens are then plated in either 22K yellow gold or Rhodium,
a precious white metal in the Platinum family, for a lasting luster.
/span>
Serialized Edition:
The serial number for each
pen is engraved on the cap ring prior to the "M" in the engraved
name, Michel Perchin.
The numerator, or top number of the serial number, indicates the pen
position in the production sequence.The
denominator, or bottom number, indicates the MAXIMUM number of pens to be
produced in the series.As mentioned
before, the total edition size of the Michel Perchin
MP4 Fountain Pens is 4995 total pieces across five different colors, or 999
pieces in each color.
Components:
Each Michel Perchin MP4 Fountain Pen will be fitted and delivered with
an 18k gold nib in medium size and converter cartridge.One package of 6 universal ink cartridge
refills will also be included.Universal
cartridge ink refills can be purchased from an authorized dealer or can usually
be readily found at most better office products or stationary stores.Each Michel Perchin
MP4 Fountain Pen will be shipped in a Swiss made leather display box, with soft
ecru colored lining, and smartly packed inside of a cardboard dust cover box
with Perchin logo.
Further, each pen package, when new, should contain a Michel Perchin Certificate of Authenticity, that should be
completed with a purchase date and location of the authorized reseller, and
care instructions/warranty information.
Quality:
Michel Perchin
writing instruments give the word quality a new meaning.Their unique designs reach back into time to
capture elegance unknown in today world of mass production.No expense is spared in materials and
workmanship.The result is a powerful
statement of value to be handed down from one generation to the next.The uncompromising quality of Michel Perchin writing instruments is recognized by their presence
in the Pen Museum, in Paris, France.
Thanks for reading and hope
you found this information about the Michel Perchin
MP4 Fountain Pens useful.If you
wish to send us a question about this item or any other Michel Perchin writing instrument, please feel free to contact us
by clicking on the Ask Seller a Question button in any of our eBay
listings! Also, be sure to read our
other guides and check back regularly for updated pages in our eBay Store.
********************************************************************************************************
Introduction to the Michel Perchin
Desk Pen Collections
This discussion pertains to
the Michel Perchin
Desk Pen Collections, two sets of ULTRA LIMITED EDITION and beautifully hand
crafted, enameled sterling silver writing instruments from this world class manufacturer.As with our other guides about Michel Perchin
pens, we will define the edition size, detail the color palette, and highlight
the important features of these very rare, fine writing instruments, for the
benefit of new and experienced collectors alike.
The Michel Perchin Ocean
Blue Enamel Ballpoint Desk Pen
Michel Perchin, Inc.
first introduced the Ocean
Blue enamel Ballpoint Desk Pen in 2004 in response to the marketplace
demand for a fine pen stand.While
continuing to work out the precision specifications for a Fountain Pen version,
Perchin Inc. introduced the Ballpoint Desk first as a
simple and easily refillable two piece desk set made up of pen and pen stand.
Weighing in at nearly 1
pounds of (.925) Sterling silver and enamel for both pen and stand, the Michel
Perchin Ocean Blue Ballpoint Desk Pen was
produced in an ultra limited edition quantity of only 10 pens and carried an
MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price),of $6,000.00.The pen nearly immediately sold out from the
manufacturer and became available at only a few fine retailers worldwide.
The Ocean
Blue Ballpoint Desk Pen is fitted with a Schmidt brand, P 900, Ballpoint
refill and the pen originally came with one refill loaded in the pen barrel and
two additional refill cartridges.The
Schmidt brand refills are readily available for sale in better office products
stores, and stationers, and many Michel Perchin
authorized retail dealers.
The Michel Perchin Ruby Red
Fountain Desk Pen
Michel Perchin, Inc.
introduced the Ruby Red enamel Fountain Desk Pen, in 2005, about one year after
the introduction of the Ocean Blue enamel Ballpoint Desk Pen.Having perfected the design and precision
measurement specifications to allow for an appropriately sized fountain nib
front, the Ruby Red enamel Fountain Desk Pen was the natural follow up to the
earlier ballpoint desk pen version.
Also weighing nearly 1
pounds of (.925) Sterling silver and enamel, the Michel Perchin
Ruby Red Fountain Desk Pen was produced in only 10 pieces like it ballpoint
pen cousin.As another of the Ultra
Limited Edition pens from Perchin, it was
appropriately priced at $6,000.00.This
pen also sold out nearly immediately from the manufacturer and may no longer be
available at the retail level due to its popularity among collectors.
The Ruby Red Fountain Desk
Pen is fitted with a German-made, medium size, 18k gold nib alloyed with
iridium for strength.(The pen could
accept different sized nibs if the writer prefers.)Further, the pen comes with a converter
cartridge and six ink cartridge refills should the writer choose them over
bottled ink.
Design Elements
Although not necessarily
fashioned after a specific Faberge Egg design, like so many other Michel Perchin
pens, the the Michel Perchin
Desk Pens are strongly influenced by the design techniques used by Michel Perchin during his employ with Peter Carl Faberg/span> over 100 years ago.
Each of the Perchin Desk pens feature flawless
guilloch/span>, (engraved Sterling silver), hand applied
enamel, and a final plating of 22k yellow gold, also known as vermeil.
The pens themselves are
tapered sleekly from tip to end of barrel to ensure perfect balance in the
hand.Each is engraved with several long
parallel oval cuts that flatter the pens and lenderizeits 7 inch
length.The grip area of each pen is
engraved in a oxingdetail which makes the pen easy to hold and a pleasure
to touch.
Both pens are made from
multiple solid Sterling silver components including the front sections and
barrels.The front section can be unscrewed
to replace the appropriate ink cartridges, whether for the Fountain Pen or
Ballpoint pen.The Fountain Pen nib
nscrewsshould the user prefer to change or replace the nib.Again, additional nibs may be purchased
through Michel Perchin authorized retail
dealers.
The base of each pen is also
fashioned from multiple solid Sterling silver components that make up the rim,
ome,ring, nuckleand pen holder.
The omeis engraved in a wave pattern and finished in translucent
enamel in the respective color.The pen
holder is engraved in the oxing patternand finished in translucent
enamel.The ingis engraved in an
elegant floral design and the outer rim of the base is engraved in a drapery
pattern.All of the Sterling is plated in 22k yellow gold for a lasting
luster.
Availability
The Michel Perchin Desk Pens, fountain and ballpoint, are currently
out of production as all 10 pieces in each color were made and sold by the
manufacturer.At the time this guide was
published, (June 26, 2006), future production of additional Desk Pens, in
either fountain or ballpoint styles, has yet to be scheduled.
Only a handful of Authorized
Michel Perchin
Retail Dealers, including White
Mountain Trading Company, stocked the Desk Pens since so few were produced.Few retailers report having any of the Desk
Pens in stock but White
Mountain Trading Company reports having the Ocean Blue Ballpoint Desk Pen
available.
Key Markings and Serial Numbers
The Michel Perchin Fountain and Ballpoint Desk Pens are readily
identified as authentic by several different markings, including the Michel Perchin logo, the serial number of the pen, and English
Sterling silver hallmarks which are located on the bottom ring of the pen
holder component where it meets the nuckle.span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
(For more information about English Sterling silver hallmarks, please
refer to our other guide, Sterling Silver Hallmarks.)
Packaging
Due to the ultra limited
edition quantity and unusual size of each of the Michel Perchin
Desk Pens, the items were delivered in an unremarkable white cardboard gift
box.The pen included a Michel Perchin
Certificate of Authenticity, cleaning instructions/warranty card and the
respective ink refills.The packaging
was not the focus of this pen for several reasons including the small edition
size, unique size of the item, and limited selection of retail packages
available in small quantities.The
single biggest reason the packaging was not a major focus for this piece was so
the price point could be held in line, commensurate with the artistry,
complexity and creativity behind its design.
A representative of Michel
Perchin, Inc. explained that available
resources went into producing an extraordinary desk pen, one that, he hoped,
would pend more time on someone actual desk than packed away unseen and unadmired.span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>We
happen to agree.
Quality
Michel Perchin
writing instruments give the word quality a new meaning.Their unique designs reach back into time to
capture elegance unknown in today world of mass production.No expense is spared in materials and
workmanship.The result is a powerful
statement of value to be handed down from one generation to the next.The uncompromising quality of Michel Perchin writing instruments is recognized by their presence
in the Pen Museum, in Paris, France.
Thanks for reading and hope
you found this information about the Michel
Perchin Desk Pen Collections useful.If you wish to send us a question about this
item or any other Michel Perchin
writing instrument, please feel free to contact us by clicking on the Ask
Seller a Question button in any of our eBay listings! Also, be sure to read our other guides and
check back regularly for updated pages in our eBay Store.
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