Kamakura Pens Web Site and catalog

 
 

 

If you have any questions, please send me an e-mail. at rd@kamakurapens.com

 

 
     

A Description of The Dunhill Namiki Grading System

 

In the late 1920's Alfred Dunhill contracted Namiki to create lacquer pens that he would exclussively sell in the westren markets. To make it easy to set prices, they arranged for a grading system.

  Grade A pens:  
  These were the top of the line, using taka maki-e and other complicated maki-e techniques. Typically these pens were generously sprinkled with gold powder. These pens were the signed by the artist.  
     
  Grade B pens.  
  These pens used less gold dust and simpler designs and techniques. Usually an artists signature is present.  
     
  Grade C pens.  
  used simpler designs and no gold dust. These pens usually do not have an artists name.  
     
  Grade D  
  Pen is coated with several layers of lacquer, occasionally a simple capband desing is present.