A company’s archives always provide a wealth of
information and frequently fascinating finds. Such was the case when the owners
of Curtis Australia—during a bout of fall (yes, it’s fall in Australia)
organizing—came upon an amazing discovery.
“We noticed a mysterious
sealed and padded bag hidden in a far corner of our vault, underneath a large
quantity of paperwork,” says Heather Curtis of a find she and her husband,
Glenn, recently made.
“When we opened
the bag we found 60 sterling silver Abraham Lincoln pen overlays we had
produced. Needless to say, we were absolutely stunned,” she continues. “It was
like uncovering buried treasure.”
Treasure indeed. The
mold for these overlays had been publicly destroyed at Fahrney’s pen store in
Washington, D.C. in July of 2009, insuring that the number of pens produced
would be clearly limited. And while this new discovery will not affect the
number in the edition, additional—and unexpected—pens are now available.
Ironically coinciding
with the 12 Oscar nominations Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln received, as well as the Best Actor award it garnered for
Daniel Day-Lewis in its title role at this year’s Academy Awards, this misplaced
cache was indeed a fortuitous find. Lincoln,
released with much acclaim late last year, is a revealing drama focusing
on the sixteenth US President’s tumultuous final months in office.
Currently, the
Curtis Australia Presidential series comprises three limited edition pens, including
Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, in addition to Lincoln. Each of the
pens is embellished with a finely sculpted sterling silver overlay that
includes the likeness of its namesake, as well as pertinent details reminiscent
of his life and work. Each is handcrafted using the lost-wax casting method of
production, a hallmark of fine jewelry making.
Pen collectors,
history buffs, and movie fans alike will undoubtedly be delighted to hear the
news of more Lincoln pens on the horizon. Write Info@curtisaustralia.com for more information.
Curtis Australia
is a Melbourne-based jewelry and pen atelier known for its handmade luxury
products. Its heritage traces to
the 1890s, when leather goods were first made by founding members of the same
family in rural Australia—goods with a reputation for durability and quality.
Almost a hundred years ago jewelry became the focus, and the company has
evolved into the prestigious Curtis Australia brand, offering a wide selection
of luxury pens, jewelry and accessories.
