1966 Bauhaus Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen

One of only two remaining German family owned and run pen makers (unlike Pelikan and Montblanc, which are both publicly listed and multinational-group owned)  - Lamy deserves particular attention for its contribution in developing truly modern pens.

The company was founded by Josef Lamy in 1930. Prior to starting his own business, Josef Lamy had in fact been working as a sales rep for Parker. This influence can be found in Lamy's early pens, which used the same filling system as Parker, and whose conservative designs were loosely based on the classic 1921 Duofold. 

Where he, and his son Dr. Manfred Lamy, did innovate radically is by using moulded plastics - as opposed to hand-turned acrylics and celluloids. Much like Braun and Olivetti, post-war companies interested with ideas of modernity, Lamy broke with the past by creating mass-manufactured quality writing tools with a design focused approach. Here pictured is Lamy's headquarters in 1957. 

Unsuprisingly an exemplary specimen of Bauhaus design, and Lamy's most iconic pen, can be found in the Lamy 2000. Launched in 1966, the pen was designed by Gerd A. Müller, who was working at the time for Braun, alongside Dieter Rams. Parallels between his razor design for Braun, the Sixtant SM3 (pictured here) and the Lamy 2000 are obvious - as much in the proportions and curved lines as in its use of brushed metal and black plastic, coexisting side by side.

This pen is made of Makrolon, a Swiss-patented type of polycarbonate, similar to resin, which is very durable and a lovely soft and matte material to hold. The small ink window allows the user to measure how much ink is left. No cartridges are needed as the pen has a inbuilt piston refill system, whereby the back section of the body is unscrewed to suck in ink through the nib from an ink well. 

The nib, 14k platinum-coated gold, will adjust and form to the users handwriting as it is used more and more. The hooded design means the pen is less susceptible to drying when left uncapped.

We wholly recommend this pen which makes a great coming-of-age gift on occasions such as graduations, 21st birthdays, weddings. It can truly be considered one of the great pens ever produced - an essential addition to anybody interested in collecting pens, or design for that matter. 

Also available as a 0.7mm mechanical pencil. 

Details
Body material: Makrolon polycarbonate and stainless brushed steel
Nib size: Fine or Medium, please choose from dropdown menu
Nib material: 14k gold with platinum coating
Cap type: Slip cap
Refill type: Piston refillable mechanism (built in, does not require cartridges, but refills from an ink bottle using fountain pen ink)
Dimensions: open 12.5cm, closed 13.8cm, 1.25cm barrel diameter, posted 15.4cm. We do not recommend posting this pen as it can make marks on the barrel.  
Included: presentation box

Ink bottles available here.

Photo: Die Neue Sammlung - The International Design Museum Munich (A. Laurenzo)

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