Bring your Moleskine journal to
Café Le
Procope, if you happen to be going by Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie in Paris.
Established in 1686 and celebrated as the oldest literary cafe - that's three
centuries of history sprinkled by such names as Diderot, Rousseau, Voltaire,
Verlaine, and even Benjamin Franklin. |
For two centuries now Moleskine (mol-a-skeen'-a) has been the legendary
notebook of artists, writers, intellectuals and travelers. From gifted artists
Henri Matisse (1869–1954) and Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890), to poet and leader
of the surrealist movement André Breton (1896-1966) to Ernest Hemingway
(1899-1961) considered the most influential writer of the last century, to
famous travel writer Bruce Chatwin (1940-1989).
These notebooks have proven they can withstand the trials of travel and abuses
that ensues from normal use. This is the one true trusted travel journal.
Genuine Moleskine
Despite the extraordinary tradition of Moleskine notebooks there was a pause
in production in 1986. Writer-traveler
Bruce
Chatwin used to buy his moleskine at a Paris stationery shop in Rue de
l'Ancienne Comédie, always stocking up before going on his infamous journeys. He
gave his friend Luis Sepůlveda, a Chilean novelist, a precious moleskine before
a trip to Patagonia. It was precious because by then the notebooks were no
longer to be found, as the small family concern in Tours closed down. "Le vrai
moleskine n’est plus" were the lapidary words of the stationer to Chatwin who
had ordered one hundred before leaving for Australia. Now, the Moleskine
tradition has been revived by Italian manufacturer
Modo & Modo.
It can go back to being a witness, passing from one pocket to another and
continue the adventure.
A Good Cafe on the Place St.-Michel
Why did so many European artists, writers and intellectuals from Van Gogh to
Henri Matisse to Ernest Hemingway use Moleskine? We believe this rich history of
Moleskine patrons teaches us how simple tools assist inspiration. It's merely
about a well-made book that can be a trusted, reliable companion that is always
at the ready.
 In
Ernest Hemingway's memoir,
Moveable Feast, he chronicles Paris in the 1920s just after World War I
while spending time writing in various Paris cafés. Hemingway reflects on the
quintessential moments ordering a cafe au lait and pulling out his notebook and
pencil from his pocket to start writing. It is this simple ritual that he
describes so well. That comfortable feeling, when even in the mist of a
bustling café that one can immerse oneself into thoughtful prose or a delicate
sketch. During this time in Paris, Hemingway apparently had also been working on
The Sun Also Rises using his trusted Moleskine. Not a surprising notion to
those that have come to know and love Moleskine.
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