An Interesting Ink For Use On Blue Paper?

[The Kid Line]

My first wedding anniversary is coming up in October and being the loving, caring and fastidious husband I am, I've already started planning the gift. Owing that this is the first anniversary it is only natural that I give the gift of paper.

 

I'm pretty sure my wife would be upset with a ream of paper from Staples, so I've decided to go with some stationery from Smythson of Bond Street (which of course will require a new pen, ink and a custom designed stationery box!)

 

I'm torn between the White Laid and Bond Street Blue. Right now I'm leaning more toward the Bond Street Blue, however, I'm torn thinking of an ink to present with the paper. What colour would look good on that colour blue?

 

Ideally, I would like to lean more towards some of the more ornate bottles such as Caran D'Ache or Omas, but that is not a necessity.

 

Any suggestions?

[PatientType]

How about Poussiere de Lune by J Herbin. Good ink, nice burgundy/red to contract the blue paper. The bottles are attractive and have a pen holder built in. Pretty elegant.

 

GOOD anniversary gift choice by the way.

[mooshi]

I choose... a darker blue or purple to compliment.

 

-- Moo

[HelzBelz]

I'd probably go with a very dark blue (but can't suggest one, I don't like blue ink), or a dark purple/ burgundy. Diamine Damson springs to mind. A dark brown may also work.

[dcwaites]

A rich, lustrous black looks surprisingly good on a blue paper. Sailor Kiwaguro black, Aurora Black, Old Manhattan Black would be some to look at.

 

If you a thinking of a dip pen, then Old World Iron Gall ink would do well. I would recommend a nice pen handle and a box of Esterbrook Falcon 048 nibs.

[Chris Chalmers]

Happy Anniversary when it comes!

I write on blue paper quite often, and apart from the usual colours already mentioned here, I have had compliments when using Herbin Verte Olive in a juicy broad italic. I know it sounds strange, but it does look good!

BTW, I have the cream laid and the paler ivory papers from Smythson of Bond Street - and they are a delight to use! I hope your wife appreciates your thoughtfulness - but she must have known that about you when she married you!

[indigirl]

I would go for a blue-black like maybe PR Midnight Blues, or an eggplanty purple -- Damson, like HelzBelz suggests, is really nice. What a lovely gift!

[Joe in Seattle]

I'd suggest a red like P.R. Dakota red

[The Kid Line]

Thanks for the suggestions all.

 

I emailed Smythson yesterday and they will kindly throw in a few pages to use as ink testers.

 

Once I have had a chance to test a few ink samples, I will scan the paper and post it here.

[encremental]

Seriously, I think you will find this quite a problem (and full marks to Smythson for sending you samples). The Bond Street Blue sounds great, and is, of course Smythson's signature colour, but just you try to match it, or find something complimentary, then it gets difficult. It is a very particular blue,and the wrong one just sounds a false note. MB Midnight Blue is the best I've found (being virtually black), but I think the white would be more practical.

 

John

[The Kid Line]

John, do you have much experience with Smythson paper? If so, how would you describe the "laid" paper versus the "wove" paper?

[encremental]

Sorry, only their very thin notebook paper. But in general 'laid' paper has a very faint pattern of horizontal lines in the watermark of the paper with some widely spaced verticals. 'Wove' doesn't, but there is still a hint of a texture about it. 'Smooth' will have had hot rollers passed over it to give a glassier finish (Clairefontaine style). I'm sure they will all be beautiful to write on, just a matter of personal taste.

 

Thinking about the ink, I've just bought some Dupont Blue from an FPN member, and I think that might just do it, if you were to go for the blue. No purple tint, but not bright, either.

 

John

[View from the Loft]

If you go with the blue, take a look at Diamine Midnight - it's a very dark blue that I have fallen in love with (and for years only black would do).

[Blade Runner]

A dark brown would like nice on Bond St.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/PAPER/IMG_3726.jpg

Bond St. Blue is third from the left.

[rogerb]

Sorry, double post. :embarrassed_smile:

Edited June 26, 2010 by rogerb

[rogerb]

I have just tried-out 21 inks on Smythson Bond Street Blue Wove and intended to post them, but my scanner is out of ink and seems not to want to scan if it has no ink!!

 

The clear winners for me were the dark blues and purples; W'man Florida, Diamine Sapphire,and Noodlers La Reine Mauve.

 

I didn't like the reds at all or the greens much (Diamine Delamere was the pick of them, IMO)

 

It's lovely paper and a thoughtful gift

 

YMMV

Picture Added

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v693/rogerb40uk/SmythsonBondStreetBlue0001.jpg

Edited June 26, 2010 by rogerb

[Pentech42]

I would go with a dark blue maybe even blue/black. Have used Smythson paper ( actually the blue) and it is nice.

[ginigin]

Have you tried Di. Majestic Blue? It has a really neat reddish sheen that makes the ink look quite ... majestic!

[rogerb]

Some inks on SBSB now pictured above ...surprising feathering from some.

I liked Diamine Sapphire and La Reine Mauve.

Edited June 26, 2010 by rogerb

[drifting]

A dark brown would like nice on Bond St.

 

+1. It's not an obvious choice, but I received a letter with brown on blue once, and it looked great! Another unexpected choice that looks great would be grey ink.

 

Ryan.