Classic Pens LB4 Tahiti Limited Edition 2008



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Limited Edition of 50 pens world-wide. LB4 Tahiti on the Classic Legend 766L fountain pen The LB4 Tahiti series was launched in 2008. The design is an exquisite and elaborate composition, meticulously handcrafted by the Maki-E master Tatsuya Tōdō. The pen is a portrait of nature scenes found on the paradise island of Tahiti in French Polynesia. It displays the beautiful flowers of red hibiscus and fragrant tiare as well as palm tree leaves which adorn the island, surrounded by the clear blue sky and pristine Pacific Ocean. The playing dolphins and turtles on the beach are popular sights on Tahiti and complete the composition. LB4 Tahiti on the Parker Duofold Centennial (right) and Classic Legend 766L (left). During the development of Maki-E designs, we discuss the theme with the artist who then creates color drawings to suit the subject. The drawing below was created by Tatsuya Tōdō and formed the basis for the Tahiti composition. Hand drawing by the artist showing the LB4 Tahiti composition Tatsuya Tōdō is one of the younger Maki-E masters in Japan and has been awarded many highly coveted prizes for the excellence of his work. Classic Pens and Tatsuya have had a fruitful working relationship since 2001. He has painted several novel designs for the company which are part of the LS and AL Signature Collections of Maki-E Art Pens. LB4 Tahiti on the Parker Duofold Centennial (left, closed) and Classic Legend 766L (right, open). There is a choice for the canvas of theTahiti. The Parker Duofold Centennial, one of the most celebrated pen models of all time and the Classic Legend 766L full size fountain pen. The Duofold offers a rich gold plated trim while the Legend is complimented with rhodium plated trim. LB4 Tahiti on the Parker Duofold Centennial (right, open) and Classic Legend 766L (left, closed). The LB4 Tahiti is offered as a single limited edition series of 50 pens worldwide. Of these, 25 are created on the Parker Duofold Centennial and 25 on the Classic Legend 766L. The artist employed the Togidashi Maki-E technique to create the background. He paints the urushi color lacquers, and then sprays fine gold dust on the cap, barrel and section of the pen. He rubs and burnishes the urushi lacquer to reveal the design and to impart a lustrous shimmer. He uses the raden technique of pearl inlay for the sparkling eyes of the dolphins.
Highlights of palm fronds and tiare flowers	Highlights of palm fronds and hibiscus flowers
Highlights of jumping dolphin and turtle	Highlights of swimming dolphin and turtle
The creation of the Tahiti is laborious and requires the highest degree of craftsmanship. The artist Tatsuya Tōdō handcrafts each and every Tahiti with natural urushi lacquer and precious materials of gold and silver. The white waves on the pen are created with an exclusive mixture of metals. The result is an exquisite Maki-E composition. The Maki-E artist Tatsuya Tōdō hand crafting the LB4 Tahiti on the Classic Legend 766L fountain pen:
The pen body is painted with a prime coat of color urushi lacquer. The process is called Jinuri	Large particle gold and silver powders are sprinkled on the pen body using a bamboo tool fitted with fine mesh. The surface is allowed to dry
The gold and silver powder is painted over with the design background using color urushi lacquer. The surface is allowed to dry before polishing. If it is not completely dry, the colors will darken.	Once the surface is completely dry, the artist polishes the design by hand using the tip of a charcoal stick
The base colors of the turtle and dolphin are painted with urushi lacquer. Through the raden technique, pearl is inlaid for the sparkling eyes of the dolphins.	The base colors of the red hibiscus, tiare flowers and palm tree leaves are painted with color urushi lacquer
Pure fine gold powder is sprinkled on the design surface using a bamboo tool fitted with fine mesh. The pen is then polished to a fine gloss finish.	Silver powder is spread on the wave pattern, and then the waves are painted with a metal mixture and urushi lacquer to give a white color. It is difficult to obtain white color urushi lacquer on Maki-E designs. The metal mixture is an exclusive formula developed by Tatsuya Tōdō for the wave design of the LB4 Tahiti.
The red hibiscus and white tiare flowers are painted with color urushi lacquer.	The palm tree leaves are painted with color urushi lacquer.
The dry surface is polished by hand with a charcoal tip to a gloss finish.	The artist paints the fine details of the flowers and sprinkles fine gold powder on the whole design.
Once the surface is dry, the artist applies the suri-urushi step and paints the body of the pen with natural liquid urushi. Finally, he polishes the design to achieve its lustrous gloss finish. The series is official and carries the warranty and after sales service of the Duofold or the Legend, whichever is the canvas of the design. The LB4 Tahiti pens are housed individually in an elegant gift box and are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity and Lifetime Warranty. *Elegant and compact solid wood gift boxes covered with quality material in a color which compliments the pens.* There is a choice for the canvass of the LB4 Tahiti. You can have the Parker Duofold Centennial or the Classic Legend 766L. The list price is the same on either canvas. The list price in the USA is $4,500 The LB4 Tahiti pens are available from select retailers in the USA and Europe. LB4 Tahiti on the Parker Duofold Centennial (right) and Classic Legend 766L (left). The LB4 Tahiti is an original and unique design, a portrait of nature scenes on the paradise island of Tahiti in French Polynesia. It is completely hand crafted with natural precious materials. All pieces in the series conform to the same poetic theme, but each differs just enough from the others to be truly a distinctive work of Art. The LB4 Tahiti was featured in the September, 2008 PenWorld article, "A Brief Journey Into the World of Maki-E". You can read the article by clicking this link. Heirlooms feed your soul. We are proud of our art, and it is with honor that we can be a part in your life.

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