Simon Tissot Dupont, a person of many hats and an entrepreneurial spirit, served as photographer to Napoleon III before turning his hand to the luxury goods market. The appointment was a feather in Dupont's cap towards endorsement to employment as the monarch was nephew to the well-known Napoleon I and self-proclaimed Emperor of the French. Dupont had founded a carriage company, seemingly unable to be content with rubbing elbows with the then-current sovereign of the nation, which unfortunately was lost in a fire in 1872. However, rather than be dissuaded, in that same year, at the tender age of only 25, he purchased a workshop specializing in the design and manufacture of leather briefcases.
Dupont had long held an eye for aesthetics and a keen business acumen, and with these qualities was able to steer the business into becoming a substantial success, garnering a large base of exclusive and loyal clientele and becoming the supplier to Les Grands Magasins du Louvre, one of the world's largest emporiums at the time. You'd have to assume as much, with the word "Grands" right there in the title.
By 1919, Dupont had achieved all he had set out to do with the company and gladly handed over the booming concern to his sons, André and Lucien, who happily undertook the business under the rebranded name of Les Fils de S.T. Dupont, or "The Sons Of S.T. Dupont," an unmistakably accurate appellation, if nothing else. Focusing on high-quality luggage, cases, travel pieces, and accessories the brothers leaned on the business's decades of leatherworking expertise to produce some of the most high-quality and stunning luxury leather goods being released at that time.
The brothers expanded and concentrated their efforts greatly, and made the decision to move their production facility from the haute streets of Paris to their family home in Faverges in Haute-Savoie. Employing highly-skilled craftsmen and securing patents to further guard the valuable trade secrets utilized over the company's decades of development, it was necessary to build up a base of employees. To create their fabulous cases, tradespeople from a variety of disciplines were employed for their expertise and knowledge, including leatherworkers, locksmiths, engravers, lacquersmiths, fine woodworkers, and goldsmiths. At the time of the move to Favreges, 250 workers and 17 discrete traders were involved in the manufacture of S.T. Dupont's fine leather goods.
Louis Cartier, another name that might possibly be recognizable in the context of the luxury goods market, invited Lucien to New York to present his unimpeachable travel cases within their boutique on 5th Avenue, a valuable foothold into the lucrative American market. Travelling across the Atlantic to take advantage of this tremendous opportunity, news reached Lucien of the Wall Street crash and, before even landing in the U.S., he had already decided to ramp up the S.T. Dupont market to cater to clientele that would be able to weather the financial storm with them.
In the years that followed, S.T. Dupont continued to solidify their position in the luxury goods market by developing revolutionary and industry-shifting techniques to deepen their mastery of their craft and broaden their available offerings, including a method to condition leather with diamond dust giving it even greater durability and suppleness, as well as mastering the art of lacquer application which of course opened up a great many new products in their catalog.
In 1934, S.T. Dupont was lauded by the media as the "trunk-maker of kings," having amassed a notable stable of dignitaries, royals, celebrities, and fashionistas as dedicated, zealous clients. The crowned heads of Europe as well as the glitterati of Hollywood would turn to S.T. Dupont for all their top-tier travel case needs, and were greeted with all the pomp and luxury they had come to expect from such a reputable retailer of bespoke, high-quality goods.
Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor and American socialite, commissioned a custom travel trunk from the Maison in 1945, creating its last travel trunk for Elizabeth II in 1947 to celebrate her wedding to the Duke of Edinburg, and André himself designed the "Riviera" handbag featuring its trademark secret compartment for Audrey Hepburn. One of the most iconic custom items, however, was made for none other than Humphrey Bogart who requested a lightweight travel bag to accompany him on his jet-setting world travels and weekends aboard his yacht. To this day the "Bogie" travel bag is an icon of S.T. Dupont's style, durability, and dependability. Jackie Kennedy famously commissioned the Maison to design the first luxury ballpoint pen, and they failed to disappoint, as the high-profile First Lady was one of their staunchest supporters, never to be found without her solid gold lighter.
Today, S.T. Dupont continues to amaze and inspire us with their intricate and mesmerizing guilloches, their unfailingly lovely and usable leather goods, and their litany of accessory luxury goods that never fail to each individually scream the name "Dupont." Their Haute Creation line of wildly creative and unimaginably lush writing instruments alone, available on a limited basis and by special order on ThePleasureOfWriting.com makes for both a fun browse through their extended catalog but also a grail pen set for which to shoot for any writing aficionado who longs for the ultimate in luxury.
From leather to lighters to, our favorite, their exquisite writing instruments, S.T. Dupont has spent a century-and-a-half building up the name, the reputation, and the industry knowledge to cement itself solidly into to absolute apogee of its industry - a fine legacy to Simon, and that initial leatherworking shop in Paris.
Here's hoping for another 150 years of magnificence.
]]>Writing by hand has been shown to benefit and improve memory retention. When we write notes or ideas with a pen and paper, our brain engages in a more active process of encoding the information. This deeper level of processing allows us to retain and recall the information more effectively than when we type it on a computer. Studies have shown that students who are dedicated to handwriting notes versus typing them during lectures have a better understanding of the material and perform better on exams than those who type their notes.
Handwriting demands a higher level of focus and concentration compared to typing. When we write by hand, we have to think more deliberately about each word, letter, and sentence, which helps to keep our minds engaged and present in the task. Typing, on the other hand, can be done more quickly and with less conscious effort, making it easier for our minds to wander or become distracted. This increased focus and concentration when writing by hand versus typing can benefit us by leading to a better understanding of the material and more thoughtful, well-crafted compositions.
Writing by hand involves the use of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. These abilities are crucial for various tasks in daily life and can be honed through the practice of handwriting. Typing on a computer does not require the same level of dexterity or coordination, which means that those who primarily type may miss out on the opportunity to develop these essential skills.
The physical act of writing by hand can benefit creativity by stimulating the flow of ideas. When we write on paper, we can easily sketch, doodle, or create diagrams alongside our words, enabling a more seamless integration of visual and textual elements. This freedom to experiment and explore different ideas can lead to more innovative and creative thinking. Typing on a computer, while offering some similar capabilities, often feels more restrictive and less conducive to free-flowing creativity.
In an age where screens dominate our work and personal lives, handwriting provides a much-needed respite from digital devices. Spending too much time in front of screens can lead to eye strain, headaches, and mental fatigue. By choosing to engage in handwriting versus typing, we can give our eyes and minds a break from the constant barrage of digital stimulation and potentially improve our overall well-being.
Writing by hand carries the benefit of a unique, personal touch that typing on a computer simply cannot replicate. A handwritten letter or note carries more emotional weight and shows that the sender took the time and effort to craft a message specifically for the recipient. This personal touch found in handwriting can foster stronger connections and convey a sense of thoughtfulness and sincerity that is often lacking in typing out a digital communication.
In conclusion, while typing on a computer may offer speed and convenience, handwriting has numerous advantages and benefits that should not be disregarded. Handwriting can improve memory retention, enhance focus and concentration, develop fine motor skills, encourage creativity, reduce screen time, and provide a personal touch. By incorporating handwriting into our daily routines, we can reap the advantages of this timeless practice and maintain a valuable connection to the physical act of writing.
]]>Check in with us to find out all the latest news from the world of fine writing - what new releases and limited editions are being released, what pen shows are coming up (and at which you can find The Pleasure Of Writing!), and a selection of editorial pieces from our team here in Carmel-by-the-Sea, a group of pen aficionada with decades of experience between them and a shared passion for fine writing instruments.
We look forward to providing you with the kind of up-to-the-minute and insightful commentary that can only be found here, at The Pleasure Of Writing.
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