Bauhaus Lamy 2000 0.7mm Mechanical Pencil
£80.00
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 and this influence can be found in Lamy's early pens which used the same filling system as Parker and who's conservative designs were loosely based on the classic 1921 Duofold.
Where he, and his son Dr Manfred Lamy innovated radically was their use of moulded plastics - as opposed to hand turned acrylics and celluloids. Much like Braun and Olivetti, this post-war company was interested with ideas of modernity, Lamy broke with the past by creating mass manufactured writing tools with a design functio-over-form focused approach. Here pictured 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 pencil 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. There is a small, replaceable eraser under the top click button.
We wholly recommend this pencil which makes a great coming of age gift on occasions such as graduations, 21st birthdays, weddings and can truly be considered one of the great pens ever produced - an essential addition to anybody interested in design or pen collecting for that matter.
Body Material: Makrolon Polycarbonate and Stainless brushed steel.
Lead size: 0.7mm
Refill type: 0.7mm leads only
Dimensions:
Barrel diameter: 11mm (at widest point)
Length: 138mm
Is sold in a presentation box.
Matching Fountain Pen available here
Photo: Die Neue Sammlung - The International Design Museum Munich (A. Laurenzo)
