Montblanc I Henry E. Steinway

writing I 35
3 4 I South Africa Deluxe I ART & CULTURE
Montblanc Patron of Art Edition: Henry E Steinway
What could be a more fitting tribute to the grand master of piano
manufacturing than the magnificently designed and engineered
Montblanc Patron of Art Edition Henry E. Steinway pen? Inspired
by Steinway’s dedication to the advancement of the arts and
the continual quest to build the best piano possible, this writing
instrument pays homage to everything its founder stood for:
innovation, dedication and superior workmanship.
Like a Steinway piano, the Montblanc Patron of Art Edition
Henry E. Steinway is manufactured using traditional techniques,
according to the highest standards. The Montblanc Patron of Art
Edition Henry E. Steinway 4810 features the luxurious, distinctive,
black and gold 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 shape of the harp, or
overstrung piano, which, hidden within the instrument, creates its
unmistakable sound.
The gold-plated clip is shaped like the once-patented screw clamps
used to bend the grand piano rim into its distinctive curve. Engraved
on the gold-plated cone ring is the name ‘Steinway & Sons’, found
above the keyboard of every Steinway piano, while the 750 gold
nib bears a portrait of Henry E. Steinway himself. The Montblanc
emblem, in black and white precious resin, crowns the fountain
pen. The Limited Edition 888 displays the most iconic features of
a Steinway grand piano, with a cap adorned with a 750 solid gold
representation of a piano harp. 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, while 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. In every detail, this supreme
writing instrument captures the remarkable achievements and
personality of Henry E. Steinway. Tamara Oberholster
Henry E. Steinway
A Grand Master
Henry Engelhard Steinway’s life-long goal was simple: build the
best piano possible. Born in 1797, he built his first piano in his
kitchen in Seesen, Germany, before immigrating to the United
States. In 1835, he opened a piano business in Brunswick and
later moved to New York with his three sons, where he founded
Steinway & Sons in 1853 in a Manhattan loft on Varick Street.
By the time he launched this shop, Henry had built 482 pianos.
The first piano officially produced by Steinway & Sons, number
483, was sold for $500 to a New York family. Little did they know
they had purchased an instrument from the man who would
become known as the grand master of piano building.
prestigious Paris Exhibition, cementing its reputation as the
world leader in pianos, with clientele including royal families and
the world’s most acclaimed pianists.
Steinway & Sons continued to expand, relocating to the
company’s current location in Astoria and creating Steinway
Village. In 1866, Steinway Hall was opened on 14th Street, New
York, quickly becoming the city’s cultural hub. It housed the
New York Philharmonic Orchestra until 1891, when Carnegie Hall
opened.
Revolutionary design
By the time of Henry’s death in 1871, he had instilled in his
sons the same passion for building the best pianos possible.
Steinway pianos have become the preferred choice for concerts,
celebrated musicians and discerning buyers around the globe.
To this day, Steinway pianos are handcrafted in Astoria, using
many of the same techniques developed by Henry and his sons.
The company also has factories in New York and Hamburg, with
subsidiaries in Berlin, London, Tokyo and Shanghai. Although
Henry is long gone, his legacy lives on.
Photos: © Montblanc
Over the next three decades, Henry and his sons registered
patent after patent as they developed the modern piano. Using
emerging scientific research, such as theories on acoustics by
physicist Hermann von Helmholtz, Steinway & Sons became
known for revolutionary design and the finest workmanship.
In 1867, the company was awarded the Grand Gold Medal of
Honour for excellence in manufacturing and engineering at the
Handcrafted perfection
Sergei Rachmaninoff, photo portrait, seated at Steinway grand piano