Introduction

Jacques Herbin – Les encres

The 1670 Collection celebrates the rich life and adventures of Herbin, an enterprising French sailor of the mid-17th century. While he was in the employ of the Compagnie des Indes Orientales, he made a number of voyages to India, collecting ingredients and formulas for his sealing wax and inks.

Herbin was fond of dried carob pods as a healthy food during his voyages. As with other merchants, he traded or purchased them in Cyprus. Carob trees have been cultivated in Mediterranean countries since ancient times. Carob pods were known for their therapeutic properties and were marketed throughout Europe as the “black gold of Cyprus” according to legend, its therapeutic virtues allowed people consuming it to reach a very old age. This new anniversary ink is called “Caroube de Chypre” – The intense brown of the Carob of Cyprus ink is splattered with flame-like colour reflections to give shine to its various writings.