Over the centuries, the greatest works of literature and the authors who penned them have The new Montblanc Writers Edition celebrates the literary legacy of the first and greatest poet of the Antiquity
shaped humankind, influenced culture and inspired generations with the power of words. With its heritage firmly anchored in the culture of writing, Montblanc has been honouring since 1992 the most distinguished writers and literary icons of past times with its annual Writers Edition. For its 27th edition, Montblanc celebrates Homer, the poet best known for the Iliad and the Odyssey, two monumental epics widely regarded as the foundation of Western literature. Often portrayed as a blind bard, this enigmatic figure probably lived in the 2nd half of the 8th century B.C. and his works mark a unique period in Western history when the old oral tradition gave way to a new written tradition. His rich literary legacy is made of themes and stories about divine destinies, heroes and men, gods and goddesses of Olympus that have been revived again and again over the centuries, influencing culture from art, literature to music.
The Odyssey, Homer’s second epic about the 10-year journey undertaken by the hero Odysseus returning home from the Trojan War, has inspired the shape of the Montblanc Writers Edition, Homage To Homer. The story features a famous episode when the Greeks employed an ingenious strategy in the Trojan war – a huge wooden horse concealing Greeks soldiers within was instrumental in their victory over their Trojan enemies. The Trojan horse, Odysseus’ famous stratagem, is reflected in the Edition’s silhouette evoking the head and body of the wooden horse in stylised form. The matte black precious resin of the cap and barrel of the writing instrument is paired with champagne-tone gold coated fittings to echo the Greek black-figure pottery often decorated with scenes from Homeric poetry. The legendary spear of Achilles that no other hero fighting at Troy was willing to wield in Homer’s Iliad is the inspiration for the shape which of the gold-coated clip, while Achilles’ helmet adorns the handcrafted gold nib as a fine engraving. Because rhythm and rhyme helped the ancient bards remember long texts, Homer used the strict form of the hexameter consisting of six units, or ‘feet’ in his work. The finely engraved Greek meander frieze on the champagne gold-coated fittings of the writing instrument is a design reference to the six-footed structure of the hexameter, with every sixth pattern repeat emphasised by a cube ornament. Crowned with the Montblanc emblem in precious resin, the Writers Edition Homage to Homer is available as a Fountain Pen, Roller Ball and Ballpoint Pen, as well as a Mechanical Pen (only in a set).
With a limitation number that references to year of the first translation of Homer’s Iliad in English, the design of the Montblanc Writers Edition, Homage to Homer Limited Edition 1581 is based on the story of the Trojan Horse with the same distinctive equine silhouette. Evoking a second prominent colour of classical Greek pottery, the cap and barrel are crafted from precious coral resin. The gold coated inlay on the cap is inspired by the armour of the legendary warrior Achilles, the central figure of Homer’s Iliad. The champagne tone gold coated cap top, cap ring, cone and forepart are all decorated with a special engraving that represents the dactylic hexameter, the metre traditionally associated with ancient Greek epic poetry. The Montblanc emblem at the top of the Limited Edition is made of precious mother-of-pearl.
Fine stationary and a new special ink colour complete the Writers Edition collection. Inspired by one of the most famous sculptures of Homer and the epic poem of the Odyssey with its Trojan horse, the lined notebook is made of leather in Greek blue. Often associated with the seas around Greece and the traditional houses, the vibrant blue is also reflected in the colour of the ink and refills
While Homer narrates the adventures of the great heroes of the distant past, his stories are timeless because the themes he addresses in both his epic works remain central to human civilization. Whether life or death, war or peace, happiness or misery, journeys away or returns home, he articulates what it means to be human. Through artistry and emotion, his words continue to resonate today in the same way they did centuries ago.
The Montblanc Writers Edition Homage to Homer Limited Edition is available from July 2018 from Montblanc boutiques worldwide. For more information, visit www.montblanc.com
About Montblanc
Guided by the pioneering spirit since 1906, Montblanc revolutionized the culture of writing with breakthrough innovations. Today, the Maison continues to push boundaries and evolve the expression of fine craftsmanship across each of its product categories: the pinnacle of luxury writing instruments, timepieces, leather goods, accessories, fragrances and eyewear. With every innovation, Montblanc offers new functionalities and ground-breaking designs imbued with the Maison’s heritage of sophistication and crafted to the highest standards through the skills of its artisans in each of its manufactures whether Hamburg, Germany for its writing instruments, the Swiss Jura in Le Locle and Villeret for its timepieces or Florence, Italy for its leather goods. Reflecting its ongoing mission to create fine lifetime companions born from the most pioneering ideas, the iconic Montblanc Emblem has become the ultimate seal of performance, innovation, quality and expression of style. With its origins deeply rooted in the culture of handwriting, Montblanc continues to assert its cultural commitment around the world with the creation of wide-ranging initiatives to promote arts and culture in many forms, while honouring the modern day patrons who support the advancement of the arts.
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