|
Élysée
Parthenon Series 1992-c1997 by Jim Mamoulides 12/27/01 - Updated 4/1/05
Élysée introduced its Parthenon line in 1992, to date its largest and most elaborately designed pen. This was the final new line for Élysée until the company was closed in early 2000. The Parthenon line is made from all brass construction and came in a large number of finishes, including lacquer, similar in size to the Cross Townsend line and is all brass construction, making them substantial in size and weight, but not unbalanced. The cap snaps onto the barrel tightly when closed, and onto the end of the barrel when posted, for a secure placement. Élysée is well known for innovative and exciting jeweler's designs and this can be seen in the elaborate patterns in the Bi-Color and the Cloisonné lacquer finished Trajan and Lacque Classique series pens. The Cloisonné technique, where Chinese lacquer is filled into cells cut or fitted with wire on the surface of the object is the signature look of Élysée's Vernissage series of Limited Edition pens.
Élysée's Chinese lacquer process had several steps, the first being engraving the pen body with impressions that would later be filled with lacquer even with the surface of the pen. The lacquer is then inlayed into these impressions and the surface is polished smooth and flush. Once completely smooth, the exposed metal is plated. In keeping with the pens as jewelry thinking, Élysée introduced packaging very similar to Cartier's, with a center opening case.
All of the Parthenon models are fitted with very smooth and wet writing nibs. They are 18 karat gold nibs with a somewhat elongated diamond-shape. They feature a unique detailed stamping design with a platinum masked centerpiece. The Élysée logo forms the base of the of the design and anchors it.
The Parthenon with the essentially identical Finesse made the top of the Élysée line. They are distinguished from the En Vogue, Epoque, Globetrotter, Sports, Laque Leather, Barleycorn, and Laque Color by being fitted with a platinum plated two-tone 18 karat gold nib, while the lower lines were fitted with 14 karat or gold plated nibs. All of these pens have a similar design, with a heavy clip that "floats" on its mount to the body. The cap tassie has winglike side mounted fins and prongs on sides of the clip. The Parthenon models are named reflecting their finishes, including the Parthenon Bi-Color, Parthenon Goldplated, Parthenon Laque Classique, and Parthenon Laque Trajan. Cloisonné Trajan. The Parthenon forms the basis for the Élysée Limited Edition pens. Standard Parthenon Models Parthenon Bi-Color - Known for Cloisonné pens with exciting geometric patterns, Élysée leads off the Parthenon line with a linear / geometric gold and platinum plated pen. The Bi-Color is a dazzling twist on the traditional linear engraved precious metal plated pens in every pen maker's stable. Overlaying a base linear pattern in a platinum plated field is a pair of long racing stripes in gold plate that split and flair at the edges of the cap and barrel.
Identification guide and features:
Parthenon Goldplated - The goldplated model fills the slot for a traditional looking Parthenon and stands out for its lack of adornment. Identification guide and features:
Parthenon Laque Classique - The Laque Classique model features Élysée's famous Chinese lacquer in a window pattern that peaks in a latticework that evokes cathedral spires. A traditional, formal look to a Cloisonné pen.
Identification guide and features:
Parthenon Trajan - Élysée calls the Trajan an "Avant Garde interpretation of Chinese Lacquer," and the "choice of the individualist." There is no question that the spiral window pattern is unlike any other pen and has a unique tactile feel in the hand.
Identification guide and features:
Performance I tested two Parthenon Trajans, fitted with both fine and medium nibs. All Parthenon models are 5 5/8 inches long capped and 6 1/8 inches posted. The cap adds weight to a fairly heavy pen, but it is well balanced in the hand either way. If you are familiar with the Cross Townsend, the Parthenon is similar in size and heft, though more slender. As they are essentially the same pen with different designs, this review can convey the feel of the Élysée Limited Editions.
The Trajan pens are decorated in a spiral pattern using Chinese lacquer Cloisonné technique that is smooth, but one can feel surface variation where the lacquer fill and the plated ridges meet. The metal surfaces are plated, not electroplated, which should make them wear well.
The pens are somewhat on the heavy side, being all brass base bodies, but not quite as heavy as the similar sized Cross Townsend. The Élysée Parthenon pens are slightly more slender, which should be good for those with smaller hands. The clip is quite stiff, so it probably won't clip well to a flannel shirt or a coat pocket. The pen sits fairly deep in the pocket, but one should consider a starched shirt, as the pen's weight may cause it to flop around. The pen fills easily with the included twist converter or standard international cartridges.
Élysée nibs are very buttery smooth, indeed. There is no difference in the nibs of the Parthenon model pens and the Élysée Limited Editions. Each pen I tried wrote very wet and even lines with no variation. The nibs have a slight flex, but the glide very nicely on paper, and are a real joy to write with. These would be great starter pens for those who like decorative jewelry, and the pen's performance would win them over to fountain pens. The Trajan pens are good daily users. They are slightly heavy in the hand, but are slender and have a designer look that stands out from what one usually sees. As Élysée is out of business as of early 2000. As of this writing, the pens are turning up here and there at fair discounts, making this a pen to consider before they get away. Acknowledgement Thanks to Howard Cohen for additional identification material on the various Élysée models. Comments on this article may be sent to
the author, Jim Mamoulides |
Copyright © 2005
PenHero.com - All Rights Reserved |
|
