Fine Writing - Stylus Magazine

38 october/november 2003 s t y lu s
Precisely swiss
The art of exactness, meticulous style, balance and care
B Y J O N M E S S E R
The serious artist knows who invented the water-soluble crayon, where to find
the highest quality color pencils or who uses only high-intensity pigments. The
answer can only be Caran ‘d Ache. For decades, serious artists have relied solely
on the quality, consistency and integrity of Caran d’Ache for their supplies.
Center of the universe for all great watchmakers, Switzerland is also home to Caran
d’Ache. Founded in Geneva in 1924, this marvelous
firm, a dutiful group of serious professionals, remains
Switzerland’s only manufacturer of elegant writing instruments,
personal accessory leathers, the highest quality
lighters and an unbelievable trove of sublime artist’s
supplies.
Its name is rooted in the annals of art history. Founder Arnold Schweitzer
selected the name after a famous French caricaturist of the Belle Époque,
Emmanuel Poiré (1859-1909) whose work he greatly admired. Born in
Moscow and the grandson of an officer in Napoleon’s Grand Army, Poiré
had a magnificent talent. Through his art, he created stories without words.
A contributor to many newspapers, including Lundi du Figaro, Poiré was
hailed and renowned as the father of comics. He signed all his works Caran
d’Ache, a French transliteration of the Russian word for pencil, “karandash.”
A slightly modified replica of his signature became the company’s brand
logo for their color products.