Jacques Herbin 1670 Rouge Hematite Ink Bottle
The first member of the J. Herbin 1670 Anniversary Ink Collection, introduced in 2010, Rouge HŽmatite, also known as Scarlet Red, commemorates J. Herbin's 340th anniversary. Its blood red color is reminiscent of the color of the Herbin sealing wax used in royal courts across Europe. Infused with gold sparkles and a green-gold sheen, it also evokes the image of its namesake gemstone, Red Hematite.
J. Herbin made many journeys to India and brought special wax formulas back to Paris, leading to his shop's success as a reputable sealing wax manufacturer that served Louis XIV and gained popularity throughout France. The wax seals on the cap and front of the bottle remind us of this rich history.
How do I love this ink? Let me count the ways. A drop dead blood red in every nib size I own (the "little black dress" of red inks). While the shimmer doesn't show in writing, it has a striking gold shimmer in swatches and a browned edge line. I can't wait to try it in a fat calligraphy pen. The flow is perfect - although the dry time is a bit slow, but I think that is true of most Herbin inks.
