Lawrence Savage at Exaclair very likely sent me a sample of Violet Impérial to test. This is a brand new addition to the exclusive 1670 range.
As background information – the Jacques Herbin brand was created in Paris in 1670. From his travels in India, Jacques made contacts from whom he imported his first formula of shellac and then went on to acquire a professional reputation for creating the perfect sealing wax. It was in 1798 that the brand went on to create and launch its famous line of writing inks.
After making a name for itself at the court of King Louis XIV in Versailles, archives show that the Jacques Herbin company supplied ink to many other notable people including the Emperor Napoleon and the writer Victor Hugo.
The 1670 inks celebrate the year in which Jacques Herbin was founded. All five of these intense inks are illuminated with golden glitter.
Violet Imperial is the latest addition to the range with blue/purple/lilac hues and a thousand sparkling shimmers. Because of the scarcity of certain dyes in the past, this particular colour was very expensive and has always been associated with luxury and mystery. Treasured and revered by Roman Emperors and subsequent monarchs alike, this particular hue allegedly pays homage to King Louis XIV, who was obsessed with the colour. But I think its majestic qualities could and maybe should be attributed to the late Queen Elizabeth II as a token of remembrance for her selfless devotion to being an icon of inspiration and stability, not just for her subjects in the UK and Commonwealth, but for all peoples looking for peace, love and security in their lives? What say you?
This fresh and elegant colour is definitely in vogue right now, evidenced in fashion, design and other ink releases too. Retailing at circa £20(GBP) a bottle, it’s readily available from most reputable stationers.
Tests conducted on Bockingford 200lb rough, Seawhite Cartridge Paper and Tamoe River papers using a Zebra G dip pen nib and an automatic pen.
HEY! If you’re interested to know more about how to use fountain pen inks in more creative ways – whether it’s simply to observe their chromatic behaviours, or, to recreate one of my swatch cards, or, to learn how to use them in watercolour painting, illustration and calligraphy, why not check out my online course or, even better, sign up for a workshop?
FOUNTAIN PEN INK ART 