Classic Pens ZJ2 Parisienne Vannerie Prototype 2009

by Jim Mamoulides, March 27, 2010, updated August 30, 2024

Classic Pens ZJ2 Parisienne Vannerie prototype fountain pen 2009

Newer and Bigger!

Classic Pens had Paul Rossi prototype two new models in acrylic in 2007. The first was a larger cigar shaped Legend model that would become the base design for the ZJ1 Mozaique. The other was a larger size cylindrical shaped Mythos model intended as the base design for a ZJ2 as well as other large size pens such as the Jupiter and Planets. The intent of these oversize models was to make pens in multiple materials including acrylic, sterling silver, gold, and acrylic with hand decoration.

Classic Pens ZJ2 Parisienne Vannerie prototype fountain pen 2009

The ZJ1 acrylic prototypes were sent to the R. Murelli Company, an independent, specialty guillocheur workshop located in Domont, France. Murelli’s Jean Pierre Mezan worked with solid silver rods manufactured in Germany to create all of the cap, barrel and section pieces to make a metal prototype based on the acrylic model. Marc Murelli then hand engraved the ZJ1 design on each solid silver cap and barrel component using a 1927 vintage hand engraver from the Murelli museum. The final parts added were a Paul Rossi handcrafted sterling silver clip and a Peter Bock oversize 18 karat gold nib and an ebonite feed that would be offered on the production pen in extra fine, fine, medium, broad, oblique and italic nib grades.

Classic Pens ZJ2 Parisienne Vannerie prototype fountain pen 2009 with the Classic Pens CP8 Vannerie

The production ZJ1 Mozaique was launched in 2007 with guilloche engraving on each major element of the pen, including the two cap pieces, the two barrel pieces and the section. A limited edition of fifty pens were planned, with twenty-five in sterling silver, fifteen in vermeil (23 karat gold plated sterling silver) and ten in 18 karat solid gold.

Classic Pens ZJ2 Parisienne Vannerie prototype fountain pen 2009

The Follow Up to the ZJ1 Mozaique

The ZJ1 Mozaique sold well, and with that success, Classic Pens set out in 2009 to create a second edition, the ZJ2 Parisienne. Like the ZJ1 Mozaique, the design was intended to be engraved the entire length of the pen to the edges, taking advantage of the cylindrical shape with its flatter ends. This is very eye catching, as the design literally flows from end to end, as if running underneath the cap band, the clip washer and the barrel trim ring. The oversize cylindrical shape in this prototype also gives the cap top and barrel end cap a slight taper. It was also intended to fit an even larger nib size.

Classic Pens ZJ2 Parisienne Vannerie prototype fountain pen 2009

Prototypes for metal pens such are usually done first inexpensively in brass. This reduces the cost of trying out engraving patterns. Sometimes the prototypes will be plated in silver or gold to give a visual representation of the finished product. Final prototypes may be made from sterling silver and include the complete laser engravings on the cap band and the hallmarks, as this one shows. From initial design discussion to final pre-production approval prototype models can take months, as each step in the process will involve corrections and changes in order to reach the final production design. In this case, this prototype is more of a finished pen, in sterling silver and complete with engraved cap band and hallmarks.

Classic Pens ZJ2 Parisienne Vannerie prototype fountain pen 2009

The deep guilloche engraving on this ZJ2 Parisienne prototype is the same Vannerie, or French Basketweave, design used on the Classic Pens CP8 Murelli pens. It is a deeply cut repeating pattern that reminds of the ribbon-like cross patterns seen in handmade baskets.

I first saw this prototype pen at the 2009 Raleigh Pen Show. It was among several prototypes that Andy Lambrou was showing to gauge interest. One of the prototype designs was a very large and shiny hobnail design in vermeil that glittered in the light. A very impressive, statement making pen. Of the designs he showed, I personally liked this Vannerie pattern, as it was more subdued and gave the pen a softer, whiter look.

Classic Pens ZJ2 Parisienne Vannerie prototype fountain pen 2009

Compared to the CP8 Murelli Vannerie, a very large and hefty pen in its own right, the ZJ2 Parisienne prototype is a really extra large pen. It is 5 3/4 inches long with the cap on and a really long 7 3/8 inches long with the cap posted on the end of the barrel. So long and bulky that posting seems silly. It weighs a colossal 2.8 ounces, more than double the weight of a typical large pen on the market today. I personally did not even consider posting it, not only because I did not want to accidentally scuff the engraving, but because it would be unwieldy to write with. It's plenty big without the cap jammed onto the end of the barrel.

The ZJ2 Parisienne prototype fountain pen is a cartridge / converter pen and uses international type cartridges. It came with a very large Peter Bock G-370 18 karat gold two-tone plated nib with the Classic Pen logo. The nib is slightly soft and springy and writes very smoothly. The writing quality is excellent.

I thought the pen would sell well in sterling silver and would have a beautiful and timeless quality similar to the Classic Pens CP5 on the Parker Duofold. It’s not clear to me today if any others were made and I don’t think it was ever put into production.

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References

R. Murelli

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