Esterbrook Estie Sunflower Oversize with Gold Trim Fountain

5000 years ago, the sunflower was worshipped by the Incas. This disc made up of tiny flowers was an expression of their adoration of the sun and its life-giving rays. Its many medicinal uses made it a prized bloom and its growing pattern of tilting towards the sun was a symbol of seeking light and truth in ancient times. These beginnings gave rise to the sunflower becoming an emblem of beauty and hope and the subject of writings, medical journals and art throughout history, perhaps no more boldly than in the renderings of them by Vincent Van Gogh.

The Dutch artist began to paint sunflowers in Paris towards the end of the 19^th century. While other artists thought the flowers to be coarse and unrefined, Van Gogh revered them. Upon moving to his “Yellow House” in Arles, he decorated his guest room for the artist Paul Gauguin with his still lifes of Sunflowers. Originally intended to be a series of twelve, only seven were completed, five of which remain in museum collections, one in the hands of a private collector and one thought to be lost during the second world war.

Van Gogh was a brilliant colorist, and it is documented that he only used three shades of yellow for his Sunflowers. It is the glorious harmony of these colors that is the inspiration for our newest limited edition Estie: The Sunflower.

While Van Gogh is best known as a painter, he was also one of the most prolific letter writers of all times. An avid reader of the classics, Van Gogh was an excellent wordsmith, penning over 2000 letters in his short lifetime.  Over 800 of his letters survive and some critics say they stand on their own in the canon of world literature; yet another of his masterpieces.

Thus, as a tribute to the art of letter writing and his iconic place in art history, we dedicate our summer release Estie to the towering and majestic Sunflower and the artist synonymous with them: Vincent Van Gogh.

it is available as a standard or Oversize Estie fountain with a #6 Jowo Gold Plated Steel nib available in Fine, Medium, Broad and 1.1mm. The Journaler nib is available for an additional $50 or Scribe nib for an additional $60. The Estie Sunflower is also available as a rollerball pen.

• Comfortably balanced fountain pen in a complete range of points for the way you write.
• Cushion cap closure provides a secondary seal to ensure a wet point.
• Ink is filled by a cartridge of ink or a converter, which acts like a syringe to draw ink from a bottle.
• Sold separately, the Esterbrook MV Adaptor with Vintage Nib gives you a vintage nib experience with the modern Esterbrook pen. You can fit any vintage Esterbrook nib unit into this adaptor, and use it with your Estie fountain pen. (MV Adaptor is also available without a nib).

Journaler Nib: The Esterbrook Custom Nib Program is our way to highlight exceptional American nibmeisters and we’ve asked some of the most prominent and exceptional nibmeisters in our community to create nibs to be a part of Esterbrook’s storied legacy.

Gena Salorino of the Custom Nib Studio in Los Angeles has created the first edition. An apprentice to nibmeister John Mottishaw of Nibs.com for nearly four years, Gena’s nib work is derived from his style, but as she’s established Custom Nib Studio, her signature nibs have become well-known in the marketplace for her own trademark style and beautiful handmade quality.

In her own words, the custom nib Gena is grinding for Esterbrook is a “medium stub grind, based on the vintage Esterbrook 9314M nib. The idea is that it’s smooth and friendly enough for everyday use, gives your writing some flair, all without being too huge for practical writing”. Available for the Standard and Oversized Estie’s as well as the new Camden, Gena’s custom nib has an MSRP of $50. This nib will replace your standard nib. Meaning, your pen will come with just this nib and not as a second nib unit.

Scribe Nib: The Scribe nib is a modified Architect nib that is smoother and more user friendly to those who do not need the sharpness of the true Architect nib. Esterbrook developed this nib with Josh Lax over a period of months so it is fun and exciting and adds another unique nib/writing experience to the line up. Available for the Standard and Oversized Estie’s, Josh's custom nib has an MSRP of $60. This nib will replace your standard nib. Meaning, your pen will come with just this nib and not as a second nib unit.

Check out Esterbrook Ink These Inks made by Esterbrook compliment this Pen.

Check out our monthly staff picks for great Inks, Paper, and accessory ideas.