Lambrou Pens Mirage Prototype c. 2017

by Jim Mamoulides, September 20, 2024

Lambrou Pens Mirage prototype c. 2017

Golden Shimmer

This is the Lambrou Pens Mirage prototype fountain pen made c. 2017. The mirage name comes from the alternating stacked engraved bands, each a deeply cut reeded edge, sometimes called “coin edge” that are cut at opposite 45 degree angles that create a strong contrast and emphasize each band. The geometric pattern does not have a formal name. Andreas Lambrou credited his assistant, Monica C Jimenez, for picking out this pattern for the prototype. The engraving was done on a modern computerized machine using brass blanks for each of the cap and barrel parts by the R. Murelli Company, an independent, specialty guillocheur workshop located in Domont, France.

The Mirage prototype is a 6 inch long cartridge/converter fountain pen based on the large size Lambrou Pens model Mythos 778L. The engraved brass components were then gold plated to a minimum of 5 microns. The engraving extends past the clip to the edge of the rounded cap top and also to the edge of the rounded barrel end. The sterling silver clip was hand crafted by Paul Rossi and then it and the trim pieces were gold plated to match the pen. The 18 karat gold nib is a Peter Bock G-380 with ebonite feed.

Lambrou Pens Mirage prototype c. 2017

This prototype is complete with Lambrou Pens laser engravings on the cap band. As with other prototypes for new models, this one was made of brass and then plated to create the look of the final product, which in this case could be vermeil, gold plated sterling silver, or solid gold. Therefore, there are no hallmarks on this piece. The time from the initial design discussions to creation of a complete final pre-production prototype like this one can take several months, as each step in the process will involve corrections and changes in order to finalize the production design. This prototype is very close to the look of a complete and finished pen.

A Desert Mirage

Mirages are naturally occurring visual images where the rays of light the viewer sees are refracted, producing a displaced image above or below the real object. In a classic desert mirage, light rays from the top of the real object arrive lower than those at the bottom and usually upside down. If the sky is being reflected the effect can be an illusion that may look like a distant pond or a stream on the horizon. Some mirages create a mirror image of an object, like distant mountains, that may appear as if they are floating against the sky. The effect, similar to the photo below, can appear as an angled mirrored pattern similar to the bands on this pen.

Mirage in Sahara by Bob Rayner, Wikimedia Commons

The deep parallel lines of the engraving are very similar to a reeded edge coin. This is a very common coin edge, consisting of evenly spaced vertical grooves. Coin collectors will recognize this and there are several other types, including plain edge, knurled edge, a textured pattern that also appears on tool handles, lettered edge, which has letters, numbers, dates, or an inscription, and decorated edge, with designs or patterns.

Lambrou Pens Mirage prototype c. 2017

With an overall capped length of six inches, the Mirage prototype is simply too long and heavy to post, so I did not even try. I also worried that posting might mar the engraving. I would think the owner would use it with the cap off, and left on the desk. It is very heavy at more than 2.5 ounces, more than double the weight of most large modern pens. The nib, like those on other Lambrou Pens models, is slightly soft and springy and writes very smoothly.

I don’t believe any more examples or prototypes of this pen were ever made. I imagine in sterling silver, vermeil, or solid gold it would be seriously impressive. Even the gold plated prototype is very eye catching and would be a centerpiece of any collection of large metal pens.

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References

R. Murelli

What is "guilloché"?, Laguiole Fontenille Pataud, Thiers, France