First International Collaboration Two Woodworking Master Craftsmen
Greek Olivewood Pen & Matching Case Sets
These Greek Olivewood Pen & Matching Case Sets, are the result of the world's first international collaboration between two master craftsmen, unknown to each other previously and tens of thousands of miles apart.
The idea was born when Mike saw Johnny's wood cases and thought perhaps a matching case that was quite different to his own might work. Johnny agreed. Mike sent six pens to Johnny with the matching timber. Six sets were made, three are with Mike and three with Johnny.
The Rollerball and Fountain Pens were designed and lathe turned by Michael C. North of Galatas Greece, owner of MIK Exclusive Gifts International. The cases were designed and handcrafted by Johnny W. Morlan of Lubbock Texas, United States, owner of J. W. Morlan's Unique Wood Gifts.
MIK Exclusive Gifts was established in 2001 in the Ionian Islands of Lefkada, Greece by Mike & Sharran North. They create high quality handmade wild Olivewood pens and crafts. The finest Olivewood being from the Peloponnese, MIK moved to Galatas near Poros Island in the Saronic region as the pens and contemporary artwork grew in popularity. Their luxury gifts are now commissioned by many nationalities from all over the world.
Mike North?s Rollerball and Fountain pens are approximately 5 3/8 inches long {137mm}. The bottoms are 7/16 inch {11mm} in diameter. The tops vary from 1/2 inch {13mm} through 11/16 inch {18mm} in diameter. The pen bottoms screw into the tops. The shiny parts such as the clips, internal threaded center band, tip bases and fountain tips are 24 karat gold plated. The internal threaded center bands are inscribed on the outside with MiK.
J W Morlan's Unique Wood Gifts was established in 1989 in Roswell New Mexico, USA. Johnny specializes in all natural solid wood limited edition, commissioned and custom-made creations. The business was moved to Lubbock Texas, USA in 1999. Some of Johnny's creations have been bought by or given as presents to professional people, foreign dignitaries of state, celebrities and even the President and the First Lady of the United States.
Johnny Morlan?s Pen Cases are made from a solid piece of wood that is then cut in half. There are no glue joints. Because of this design, the cases are a lot heavier than most pen cases and will be around for centuries. The dimensions are approximately 7 inches {178mm} long x 1 1/2 inch {38mm} deep x 1 1/2 inch {38mm} high. The hinges are 3 inches {76mm} in length, open to 180 degrees and are 24 karat gold plated. The case bottoms are signed Johnny W. Morlan Lubbock Texas USA and have felt protective dots affixed to them.
The sets are signed, dated and numbered. Each comes with wood data, both artist profiles, Certificate of Genuineness with the documents organized in an elegant folder.
Greek Olivewoods botanical name is Olea europaea. Olive Trees have been around for many centuries. Olive is in the Ash {Fraxinus spp} family. They can live for 1500 years or more. Olive tree trunks have been known to regularly exceed 12 feet in diameter and sometimes much more! The trimmings are usually less than 12 inches in diameter. The Holy Bible states that King Solomon's temple had Olivewood decorative art objects in it. A branch of the Olive tree was given, as first prize to the ancient original Olympians, from Sparta in the Peloponnese symbolizing wisdom, will and virtue.
Very large percentages are cultivated for oil and the olives. Greek Olivewood, is one of the most exquisite woods in the world, it is rare to find worked wild Olivewood, or even olive wood itself in many countries. If one is lucky enough to find lumber, it will be small pieces and very expensive. Trees are not felled unless they no longer produce or unless there is land clearance, which is rare. Most wood comes from the trimmings. This pruning is an essential process in the production of healthy trees. No trees are ever harmed, damaged or destroyed by the pruning. Olivewood grows in many countries but the richness and textures as those grown in the Peloponnese, Greece area are not matched.
