A WONDERFUL book by Christophe Larquemin

Namiki pens as you have never seen them before

The magic of these fabulous objects is conveyed by the editorial originality combined with the technical aspects, the sumptuous page layouts and some astonishing pictures of Japan. This work also uses an incredible photographic technique that gives a panoramic view of the pen's design, laid out flat like a map of the world. It offers a totally new view of Namiki decorations in their entirety, showing the relief of the lacquer work, not be visible to the naked eye. Even at this level of close-up detail it will not surprise you to learn that the precision of the designs is perfect.

An already extremely sought-after Limited Edition

This is both a reference work and an art book just 500 copies will be published in French, and 1000 in English. It is one of the very few books on this subject. There are photos of more than 120 pens.

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$475.00

In 1925 the relatively new Japanese firm, Namiki Manufacturing Co. Ltd. launched a bold new art form - lacquered pens. By applying the centuries-old lacquer technique, makie (sprinkled picture using metal or colored powder) to their pen line, the Tokyo-based manufacturer caused a stir within the writing instrument industry. With offices abroad, including London, and an ongoing advertising campaign, the pens were soon retailing in some of the world's leading stores, including Alfred Dunhill Ltd. which eventually became its worldwide distributor.

Today, the pens under the brand name of "Dunhill-Namiki" set record breaking prices at auction houses everywhere. This is the first time that a book has addressed the subject.

The authors provide a fascinating look on the tools and techniques used to make lacquer pens, the artists who made them and the manner in which they were sold.

The text is as much about the inherent greatness of Japanese art as it is about one of Europe's most brilliant retailers. Set in the 1920s and 1930s it provides a rare glimpse of retailing during one of the most interesting periods in history.

Here are page after page of rare photographs of these limited edition writing instruments hand selected from the Alfred Dunhill Archives, the Pilot Pen Corporations' Museum and from some of world's leading private collections. For the collector, the authors have provided an invaluable glossary of Japanese terms and a section devoted to signatures.

Only 2,000 hand numbered copied of Namiki: The Art of Japanese Lacquer Pens have been printed and only a few copies remain.

160 pages
239 color pictures
hardcover
$1000 U.S.(Includes shipping)

NOW $500.00