Classic Pens LR6 Planets 2013

by Jim Mamoulides, June 15, 2013

Classic Pens LR6 Planets, open

Classic Pens and Paul Rossi continue their journey through the universe

Classic Pens and Paul Rossi are working together on another collection in a series of space pens that began with the LB3 Jupiter, and continues with the upcoming LR6 Planets. The new LR6 Planets Limited Edition represents the Sun and the principal six planets of our solar system. The Sun is placed on the cap top and is represented in yellow pearl. The planets are inlayed on the cap and barrel with representative colors, starting with Mercury (green pearl) and Venus (gold pearl) on the cap, followed by Earth (light blue pearl) below the clip with the Moon (white), then Mars (red pearl) with two moons, Jupiter (flame red) with its four main moons in blue, yellow, ivory, white, and finally Saturn (green) on the barrel.

This high end and large scale pen is handcrafted by Paul Rossi, one of the world's finest artists in silver. Every aspect of the pen is worked by him. Each pen will be hand crafted from two rods of special Space Blue diffusion bonded acrylic as the base, one for the cap and one for the barrel.

Paul Rossi crafted the yellow pearl cap top, representing the Sun, rather thick because the Sun is considerably larger than the planets and to show the six following planets as if they are in their rotations around it on the cap and barrel. Each of the planets is a separate inlay. The four on the barrel are set at 90 degrees to one another. Paul also inlays the constellation Orion in gold stars on the barrel. Two sizes of silver stars inlayed artistically on the pen enhance and complete the design. The LR6 Planets also includes Paul Rossi's exclusive hand crafted sterling silver art clip with unique facets and a star pattern to compliment and enhance the design.

Classic Pens LR6 Planets, closed, showing
the constellation Orion in gold stars on the barrel

The pen is based on the very large, oversize Classic Pens Mythos® 877L model, measuring 6 inches with the cap on and a very long 7 1/2 inches with the cap posted on the end of the barrel. To get a sense of the scale of the pen, it is larger in every dimension than a Pelikan M1000, and 1/2 inch longer than a Parker Duofold Centennial.

The LR6 Planets fountain pens will be fitted with the excellent Classic Pens custom Bock oversize 380 nib and will be available in Fine, Medium, Broad and one Italic, likely a Medium Italic. Collectors who have purchased the CP8, LM1 and ZJ1 series pens will be familiar with the high quality and smooth, wet writing characteristics of the Classic Pens logo Bock nibs.

Classic Pens LR6 Planets, open

It is fascinating to observe the design process, having seen several of these Paul Rossi Limited Editions in order over the last few years. Paul experimented with different materials for the cap top. The two final Artist Proofs had different pearl materials for the Sun on the cap top. One in a bright yellow pearl, the other with a more muted candy pearl color. One of the pens was a full six inches long, while the other was even larger, at 6.25 inches, though the caps were interchangeable. After reviewing the cap top colors, both Andy Lambrou and Paul Rossi agreed that the yellow pearl was a better choice for the Sun. Concerning the size, I personally prefer the six inch pen.

Classic Pens LR6 Planets, with longer 6.25 inch prototype with candy pearl cap top, above, and 6.0 inch prototype with yellow pearl cap top, below

Classic Pens intends to launch the LR6 Planets series at the Washington DC pen show in August, 2013. The company is accepting pre-orders at a 20% discount with 50% deposit. The pens will also be available from selected dealers and also direct from Classic Pens. The LR6 Planets art pens will be handcrafted chronologically, based on the receipt of pre-orders.

It will take Paul Rossi four to five weeks to handcraft four LR6 Planets art pens and the list price will be $3,750 per pen.

Classic Pens LR6 Planets, closed

Identification guide and features:

• 50 pens in this edition
• Hand turned diffusion bonded Space Blue acrylic cap and barrel
• Inlaid yellow pearl cap top
• Inlaid acrylic planets and moons: Mercury (green pearl) and Venus (gold pearl) on the cap, followed by Earth (light blue pearl) below the clip with the Moon (white), then Mars (red pearl) with two moons, Jupiter (flame red) with its four main moons in blue, yellow, ivory, white, and finally Saturn (green) on the barrel • Constellation Orion inlaid with gold stars on the barrel
• Two sizes of silver stars inlayed artistically on the pen enhance and complete the design
• Sterling silver .925 cap band
• Sterling silver .925 Art Clip with facets and a star pattern engraved face
• Offered with choice of two-tone or rhodium plated 18-karat gold Peter Bock 380 oversize nib
• Nibs offered will be Fine, Medium, Broad and Medium Italic
• Screw on cap
• About 6 inches long capped, and about 7 1/2 inches long with the cap posted on the end of the barrel
• Weighs 1.7 ounces
• Cartridge/converter filling system, using international type cartridges
• Retail price $3,750 for either fountain pen or rollerball pen version
• Additional front ends to convert the fountain pen or rollerball pen LR6 into a "3 in 1" writing instrument will have a retail of $450
• Luxury gift box

Classic Pens LR6 Planets, panorama

Performance

Once again, Classic Pens has, with Paul Rossi, created a top of the line art pen well representing a space theme. The pen is quite bold, being of course very large, about 6 inches long capped, and about 7 1/2 inches long with the cap posted on the end of the barrel. It is vivid with color and brightness, from the yellow pearl cap top to the inlayed diverse color planets, and the inlayed gold and silver stars. The LR6 Planets art pen is loaded with fine detail and demonstrates the highest quality hand crafted artwork we have come to recognize and to appreciate from Paul Rossi.

The cap includes the now easily recognizable handcrafted sterling silver Paul Rossi art clip, made in the Classic Pens "cravat" style, with deeply cut facets and a star pattern down the face. The pattern on the clip reminds me of a recent trip to the Museum of Modern Art in New York and seeing Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night. The star pattern and the surrounding facets have a similar impressionistic take on the night sky. This is further enhanced against the background of the Space Blue acrylic material of the cap.

The inlay work, from the cap top to the barrel is stunning. It’s like a trip to the planetarium, starting with the blazing sun at the top of the cap and moving on a journey from the innermost planets to the largest gas giants in our solar system, with each turn of the pen. Astronomy buffs will really like this pen. Two sizes of silver stars are inlaid into the cap and barrel providing a glittering background to the planets, with the highlight of the Constellation Orion inlaid with gold stars on the barrel.

Classic Pens LR6 Planets, nib detail

The LR6 Planets is a very large pen, about 6 inches long capped, and about 7 1/2 inches long with the cap posted on the end of the barrel. It's really big. I would personally write with the cap off, not posted. The nib is very large and proportional to the size of the pen and writes a very smooth, wet, and even line, as seen on pervious Classic Pens models, such as the CP8.

The LR6 Planets is the next collectible in a series of space themed art pens from Classic Pens and Paul Rossi.  I would say this edition will sell out quickly.

I am looking forward to seeing this new and exciting pen when it is released at the Washington D. C. Pen Show in August, 2013!