I think it was our intrepid editor-in-chief who coined the phrase ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’, and never has this been more so with this year’s announcement that the winner of the Montblanc de la Culture award is His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Less known for his pen (or even sword) wielding but ubiquitous with his selection of Duchy Originals, unique housing developments and for his patronage to more than 20 performing arts organisations. His Royal Highness is now standing shoulder to shoulder with previous winners including Sally Green, Griff Rhys Jones, Donatella Flick.
To celebrate this momentums occasion, Montblanc are holding an exhibition of all 20 limited edition writing instruments that have launched alongside each annual award since 1991. These pens have become collector’s items and make for a beautiful exhibit on the art of writing and the importance of patronage.
This year Montblanc launch the Patron of the Arts Gaius Maecenas edition – honouring the very first ‘patron’ of arts. With Maecenas’ profile as the original patron of the arts and poetry, it is fitting that Montblanc are creating a writing instrument in his honour to celebrate the anniversary of the awards.
With the Royal wedding looming I suspect Prince Charles will be wielding his pen with grace and aplomb on the Royal cheque book, these things don’t come cheap and as the invitations to the Arbuturian office seem to have gone awry, I’ll be expecting him to make up for this oversight in other ways.
For more information, visit the website.
