Back in 1996 ST Dupont introduced the Vertigo line of pens and lighters. They were finished in hand applied Chinese Lacquer in shades of lighter red-orange, red and a dark lacquer that looks black under some light, indigo in other conditions and even a dark brown at times. The pattern was a series of squares with light flecks of the next darker color scattered and spread throughout the lighter areas that catch and reflect light and make it hard to focus directly on the details.
Since the pens were very labor intensive only a small number were made every year and the design was continued from 1996 until 2001, a five year run. Working with natural Chinese lacquer is very difficult. It must be applied by hand in thin layers that are then allowed to dry, each layer smoothed and sanded before the next layer is applied. The end product though is hard and warm with a depth that must be seen to appreciate.
Five years passed and ST Dupont decided to do a reprise of the design but in a limited run of only 400 pens worldwide.
For the Vertigo 2 they continued the color scheme, the darker material and the lighter shades of red and orange, but instead of squares they adopted an elongated diamond design. Again, hand applied Chinese lacquer was used and it has the same warmth when held the same depth to the lacquer and the same variations of appearance under different lighting conditions.
All too often a reprise of a success turns out to be a disappointment, but in this case, ST Dupont succeeded. The Vertigo 2 is every bit as nice as the original and I have a hard time deciding which I like best.
-- Edited by jar on Friday 18th of December 2009 02:44:13 PM
And nah, I don't expect pens to hold their value any more than cars.
I've had many pens hold or improve their value but usually I try to sell at the price that I bought it for minus some 'rental' but the MB Shaw I have tanked seriously even after all of the laurels of what a great pen it is.
I'd trade the shaw for the Vertigo in a heartbeat but don't think that will happen
And nah, I don't expect pens to hold their value any more than cars.
I've had many pens hold or improve their value but usually I try to sell at the price that I bought it for minus some 'rental' but the MB Shaw I have tanked seriously even after all of the laurels of what a great pen it is.
I'd trade the shaw for the Vertigo in a heartbeat but don't think that will happen
It wouldn't for me. I like my MBs and have quite a few, but not as much as my Duponts. BUT... email Bryant with that as an offer. I happen to know that both Bryant and the actual owner of that pen like MBs.
I have never owned a vertigo but I testwrote one 2 years ago at my favorite penshop. It was pleasant writing experience. I however prefer the waterman le man 100 over it.
It wouldn't for me. I like my MBs and have quite a few, but not as much as my Duponts. BUT... email Bryant with that as an offer. I happen to know that both Bryant and the actual owner of that pen like MBs.
Except that the Shaw should be worth more than the Vertigo II. That's the rub.
It wouldn't for me. I like my MBs and have quite a few, but not as much as my Duponts. BUT... email Bryant with that as an offer. I happen to know that both Bryant and the actual owner of that pen like MBs.
Except that the Shaw should be worth more than the Vertigo II. That's the rub.
Perhaps. But there are 400 Vertigo II pens in the world.