Faber-Castell

Faber-Castell has been combining heritage and modernity for over two centuries. Faber-Castell fountain pens turn writing into a precise and pleasant experience, where fluidity meets elegant design. Designed to last, these instruments combine comfort, refinement and reliability, whether for everyday notes or ambitious creative projects.

The story behind the brand :

The brand‘s fascinating history dates back to 1761. Caspar Faber was a carpenter who made pencils to sell on the Nuremberg market. His son Anton Wilhelm transformed the pencil workshop into a modern factory near Stein. This is still the company’s headquarters today. His son Georg Leonhard ensured the company’s continued existence in difficult political and economic times.

In 1839, it was Caspar’s great-grandson, Lothar Faber, who, at the age of 22, contributed to the company’s international expansion. All thanks to his pugnacity and business management skills. His intelligence and creativity enabled him to develop innovative and modern techniques. The criteria and characteristics he defined are still used today by specialists in the field.

After travelling the world, he developed his company in the United States. Then in London and Paris, as well as in several German cities. He acquired a graphite mine in Siberia, where the exceptional quality of the material further enhanced the brand’s reputation. Buoyed by his success, the competition’s imitations exploded. He therefore campaigned for the creation of a law to protect trademarks in Germany. Thanks to the mobilisation of his supporters, the law was passed in his favour.

From Faber to von Faber

His generosity and social commitment earned him a knighthood in 1862. He was made a baron in 1881. He counted on his only son to succeed him, but the latter died prematurely at the age of 42. At the dawn of the 20th century, Lothar’s granddaughter Ottilie von Faber married Alexander zu Castell-Rüdenhausen, who took over the company and renamed it Faber-Castell. Lothar Faber’s thoughtfulness led him to declare in his will that the name of the company should always include his surname.

Unfortunately, the First World War led to the loss of the companies in the United States, London and Paris. The Count expanded the Stein factory, which was taken over by his son Roland in 1928, who developed metal mechanical pencils that he patented. This was followed by the creation of ballpoint pens, felt-tips and markers. He managed the company for fifty years. He was succeeded by his son Anton von Faber-Castell, representing the eighth generation. Today, the ninth generation is at the helm of this empire: Countesses Victoria, Katharina, Sarah von Faber-Castell and Count Charles von Faber-Castell.

The fountain pen made its debut at Faber-Castell in 1935

The fountain pen boomed in the 1960s with the increase in demand from schoolchildren. Faber-Castell manufactured pens in resin, wood or metal, with stainless steel nibs. The company decided to focus on prestige and created a line of luxury writing instruments under the Graf von Faber-Castell (Count of Faber-Castell) brand. The models were made from wood and precious metals (ebony, platinum) and were fitted with an 18k gold nib. In addition, the manufacturing processes are the same as those used in jewellery, and each fountain pen requires almost a hundred steps to make, most of them by hand.

The cap of the brand’s fountain pens is instantly recognisable thanks to its famous hinged clip and the family coat of arms that can be found on the top of the cap of certain models. Every year since 2003, Graf von Faber-Castell has produced a limited edition “Pen of the Year”. Each model is handcrafted using rare and precious materials such as stingray leather, ivory and jade.