Pens related to Israel?

[sharonspens]

I have been trying to figure out the answer to this question: I have noticed that a number of pen makers do special editions focused on Israel, and these generally seem to be high-end editions. I am curious why this may be the case, or whether I am mistaken about the number of such pens? Are there other countries, or regions, or maybe even religions, that have received similar levels of attention? 

 

Sharon in Indiana

[Beechwood]

I have seen MB149s with an alternative cap for arab countries, a triangular fineal instead of the Mont Blanc snowcap.

 

We have also seen pens with Hebrew nibs but that is less to do with a faith or country but a style of writing

 

I understand that sales of Burgundy MBs were very popular in Israel being preferred to black but I am not aware of pens relating to a Faith other than the Parker Holy Water sprinlers.

 

Do you have some examples of pens being targetted at the Israeli market?

[chromantic]

Type "Israel fountain pen" in ebay search, you'll get lots of examples, mostly Deltas but Omas, Bexley, Stipula, Conklin and Parker are also represented.

[sharonspens]

7 hours ago, Beechwood said:

I have seen MB149s with an alternative cap for arab countries, a triangular fineal instead of the Mont Blanc snowcap.

 

We have also seen pens with Hebrew nibs but that is less to do with a faith or country but a style of writing

 

I understand that sales of Burgundy MBs were very popular in Israel being preferred to black but I am not aware of pens relating to a Faith other than the Parker Holy Water sprinlers.

 

Do you have some examples of pens being targetted at the Israeli market?

Oh, I am sorry I wasn't clearer. I don't mean that they are targeted to the Israeli market, per se, but they celebrate Israel. The Delta series celebrating Israel's anniversary, for example. As I write this out, maybe that is what I'm missing - the commemorative aspect of the pen. There are certainly enough pens commemorating US anniversaries/events; maybe I have not noticed others commemorating anniversaries/events of other countries.

[Beechwood]

1 minute ago, sharonspens said:

Oh, I am sorry I wasn't clearer. I don't mean that they are targeted to the Israeli market, per se, but they celebrate Israel. The Delta series celebrating Israel's anniversary, for example. As I write this out, maybe that is what I'm missing - the commemorative aspect of the pen. There are certainly enough pens commemorating US anniversaries/events; maybe I have not noticed others commemorating anniversaries/events of other countries.

 

Aha, I see. I hope that others can help.

 

Regards

[Jerome Tarshis]

England and China are two such countries. Although the origins of England as a nation lie very far back, there have been outstanding national occasions during the period when fountain pens were being manufactured. Parker noticed the coronation of the current Queen with a 51 and I think also a Duofold or Victory. There will have been other pens to do with Elizabeth II.

 

The establishment of the Republic of China in 1911 has been commemorated in anniversary fountain pens to my knowledge, and I'd be surprised if the Communist government has entirely failed to notice its own struggle and victory in commemorative fountain pens.

 

I don't think pens in honor of the founding of Israel are a matter of celebrating a religion, but rather of noticing an event that took place in the twentieth century. As did the bicentennial celebration of American independence, which was noticed by at least Parker and Sheaffer and possibly by other manufacturers.

 

India became independent in 1947, and I should think a little Web research might turn up fountain pens celebrating one or another anniversary of that event.

 

I'd also like to imagine some pen manufacturer took notice of the bicentennial of the French Revolution, in 1989, and the centenary of the founding of Italy as a nation, in 1961, though  possibly not. Such pens are issued in relatively small numbers, but they are issued.

[carola]

There is a Pelikan M800 celebrating 1000 years of Austria.

 

[PAKMAN]

Another option would be to try and find a vintage pen made in Israel such as a Katab (Katav)

[chromantic]

4 hours ago, sharonspens said:

Oh, I am sorry I wasn't clearer. I don't mean that they are targeted to the Israeli market, per se, but they celebrate Israel. The Delta series celebrating Israel's anniversary, for example. As I write this out, maybe that is what I'm missing - the commemorative aspect of the pen. There are certainly enough pens commemorating US anniversaries/events; maybe I have not noticed others commemorating anniversaries/events of other countries.

 

All the ones I mentioned are commemorative pens celebrating the 50th, 60th and 70th anniversaries of the state. I missed a Montegrappa (50th) and the Stipula (55th) is a ballpoint. The blue and white Bexley is the one I remember seeing back when.

[sharonspens]

Thank you all for your comments. I have been wondering about this for a while, but couldn't figure out how to word my question. You've mentioned some that I had not considered.  I am NOT looking to start a collection of commemorative pens representing various countries, but it could be an interesting (and expensive) direction for someone else.

 

Sharon in Indiana 

[sansenri]

Many recurrences, but also traditions, and specific aspects of individual cultures, are an ispiration for special editions. Part is attention to culture itself and part is good old marketing... a reason to sell another pen.

An example with Montegrappa:

The Fortuna collection by Montegrappa sketches in the new Credo series (credo mean belief or faith), dedicated to the three Semitic religions: Domes and Our Father to represent Christianity, Shema Israel to represent Judaism, and Islam Girih to represent Islam.

[sharonspens]

6 minutes ago, sansenri said:

Many recurrences, but also traditions, and specific aspects of individual cultures, are an ispiration for special editions. Part is attention to culture itself and part is good old marketing... a reason to sell another pen.

An example with Montegrappa:

The Fortuna collection by Montegrappa sketches in the new Credo series (credo mean belief or faith), dedicated to the three Semitic religions: Domes and Our Father to represent Christianity, Shema Israel to represent Judaism, and Islam Girih to represent Islam.

Thanks!

[sansenri]

You should also consider that in certain cultures religion has an important place, even when it remains a personal and interior matter (as I think it should be). Another example, the Vatican Museum has issued many commemorative fountain pens in collaboration with several pen makers (Delta, Omas, Marlen, etc.)

[Antenociticus]

Practically the entirety of what's left of the UK pen industry (not much) seems to be some kind of heritage celebration of the national myth – pens named after Churchill or Shakespeare or Dickens, pens made out of old Spitfires or sterling silver etc etc.

[XYZZY]

The current gen Wahl Eversharp Decoband had a version for State of Israel 70th Anniversary.  When I went to find it I discovered that they're now part of The Pen Family and the old web site is gone.  But here's an archived link to an old home page that mentions it: https://web.archive.org/web/20181212044726/http://www.wahleversharp.com/

[ibrahim]

On 1/15/2021 at 10:42 AM, sharonspens said:

There are certainly enough pens commemorating US anniversaries/events; maybe I have not noticed others commemorating anniversaries/events of other countries.

Why other countries? The emergence of Israel as well as the Hebrew language out of non-existence is a miracle in itself and it is to be celebrated. Other countries have been around for centuries and done nothing, but in the span of 50 years Israel did many glorious things. This country is a walking and living miracle. That is my perception as somebody who was born and raised as a Muslim in Egypt (not anymore). 

[sharonspens]

Thank you all for the newer comments on this topic. Some food for thought, yes?