Putting That Ink and Pen to Good Use

Need to put that fabulous ink and handsome fountain pen to use? The Letter Writers Alliance will help you find a pen pal who will appreciate your efforts. According to the website, “The Letter Writers Alliance is a member based organization dedicated to keeping the art of letter writing alive.” Indeed!

For those with limited time, Fountain Pen Network makes short work of correspondence by offering postcard pen pals. And for writers who refuse to be confined to those itty bitty spaces, there is an FPN group interested in exchanging full-on missives. Something for everyone, eh?

Know of another source for pen pals? Post a link in the comments below so others can make new friends, too.

J. Herbin Cacao du Brésil – A Change of Shade

Have you ever thought the ink from a new bottle just didn’t look like your last purchase? Or have you wondered if a formulation changed without notice? Well, your eyes weren’t deceiving you if you questioned the color of J. Herbin Cacao du Brésil.

Thanks to a Twitter exchange with Laura, a/k/a Phthalo on Fountain Pen Network, and a comparison swatch, the alteration came to light.

J. Herbin Cacao du Brésil Comparison

No question there is a difference in color. Karen Doherty at Exaclair offered to check with J. Herbin regarding that difference and allowed me to publish the reply.

Here is the (translated) answer from France – “Cacao du Bresil ink ref H130/45= Indeed Herbin confirmed that the change in color is due to a new colorant added; the older one was unbalanced and unstable.”

Certainly the new formula has more black to it and could well pass for black or dark gray in some lighting conditions. This cool brown isn’t highly saturated so the color of the paper comes through in a charming way. Tests on G. Lalo Verge de France Rose Stationery proved especially interesting.

J. Herbin Cacao du Brésil

Cacao du Brésil is a bit dry and might tame a free-flowing pen though I haven’t put that to the test. There’s a small amount of shading so it might be lovely for drawing but it is also conservative enough for business. In a black pen it could do double duty at your desk and for a little sketching during lunch hour. Versatility is always a plus.

If you have been wedded to black ink but think there might be more to ink than basic black, J. Herbin Cacao du Brésil might be just the thing to make the transition. If you like bright and lively colors, Cacao du Brésil may not be exciting on its own. However, paired with the right paper, it might be a good addition to your ink rotation. For five years it has slipped in and out of use here. I never traded it as I have many other inks and that’s actually a pretty good recommendation.

J. Herbin Cacao du Brésil

J. Herbin Meets G. Lalo

G. Lalo of France makes very high quality stationery, envelopes, writing tablets, and cards, the best sort for making a good impression and a wonderful writing experience. Consequently, I was delighted to find two lovely pastel writing tablets at the bottom of a recent package from Karen Doherty of Exaclair. After a little sorting and cleaning, six Lamy italic nibs and one Pelikan custom italic received fills of J. Herbin ink in preparation for a meeting with Verge De France stationery.

G. Lalo Verge De France Stationery

The degree to which paper can affect nib performance as well as the interaction between ink and paper color are clearly evident.

G. Lalo Verge De France Stationery Comparison

The rose paper took ink very well and made the colors vivid and attractive.

G. Lalo Verge De France Rose Stationery

The pistache paper resisted the same ink resulting in skipping, poor color, and reduced legibility.

G. Lalo Verge De France Pistache Stationery

However, different pens and inks on the pistache paper produced much better results.

G. Lalo Verge De France Pistache Stationery with Additional Inks

Paper can play friend or foe, enhancing or tempering colors in both attractive and unpleasant ways, frustrating even the nicest nibs and inks. Initially the G. Lalo stationery looked at best unpredictable until further experimentation uncovered three “just right” pairings. By finding suitable inks and pens for this laid finish, pastel paper, Verge De France will join my stationery wardrobe and bring some welcome color along with it.

In addition this experiment has made me wonder if there are other brands of paper that I may have dismissed too soon. Perhaps one of my latest favorite pen and ink duos would be perfect on a paper for which I could find nothing suitable only a few months ago. Me thinks it is time to visit the bottom of my paper drawer just in case it holds some buried treasure.