A Tribute to The World’s Greatest Piano Building Pioneer
With the annual Patron of Art Edition Montblanc celebrates the contribution of historical patrons of arts since 1992. With the Patron of Art Edition 2014 Montblanc pays tribute to the grand master of piano manufacturing, Henry E. Steinway – the man who revolutionized the world of music, dedicating his life to the advancement of the arts.
Henry E. Steinway
German-born Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg (1797 – 1871) built his first pianos in his kitchen, before immigrating to the United States to set up one of the greatest legacies in modern music history. With his countless patents, Steinway pioneered the modern piano and set the high standards that still prevail in piano manufacturing today.
Available in two editions, the design of the writing instrument is masterfully shaped by Steinway’s vision, celebrating both his remarkable piano innovations, and his outstanding contribution as an influential patron of the arts. He supported many artists through the Steinway Artists’ Programme that still promotes musicians today, and he made music accessible to large audiences at the Steinway Hall, once New York City’s largest concert venue.
The Limited Edition 4810 – precious in black and gold
Created with traditional manufacturing techniques and the quest for perfection in Montblanc’s Atelier in Hamburg the Montblanc Patron of Art Edition Henry E. Steinway 4810 features the distinctive black and gold colour combination of a classic Steinway grand piano, with the barrel in deep black lacquer and gold-plated fittings. The fountain pen’s cap is decorated with the heart of the iconic music instrument – the harp, or overstrung piano. Hidden inside the piano, these strings play a central role in producing the instrument’s unmistakable sound, much like Steinway’s discreet role in shaping modern music history.
The shape of the gold-plated clip references the once-patented screw clamps used for bending the grand piano rim into its distinctive sweeping curve. The name “Steinway & Sons”, found above the keyboard of every piano produced by Steinway, is immortalised as a fine engraving on the gold-plated cone ring, while the 750 gold nib is intricately engraved with a portrait of Henry E. Steinway himself, capturing the noble aspects of his character: determination, perfectionism and passion. The Montblanc emblem in black and white precious resin crowns the fountain pen.
The Limited Edition 888 – delicately detailed
Displaying all the most iconic features of a Steinway grand piano, the Limited Edition 888 cap is adorned with the representation of a piano harp made from precious 750 solid gold. Through the delicately crafted skeletonised cap, the gold nib can be seen finely decorated with a filigree portrait of Steinway. The barrel features the depiction of one octave of piano keys in black and white, celebrating the exquisite balance, flexibility and smoothness that make a Steinway keyboard so unique. The pattern on the cap ring is inspired by the decor of the domed rotunda in the Steinway Hall in New York. For this edition, the iconic Montblanc emblem is created from precious mother-of-pearl.
With every design detail, Montblanc’s limited edition writing instrument captures the remarkable achievements and personality of Henry E. Steinway: the father of the grand piano, and undoubtedly one of the great patrons of the arts.
The Montblanc Patron of Art Edition Henry E. Steinway will be available from April 2014 in selected Montblanc boutiques worldwide and for further information visit www.montblanc.com