books

A Notebook in “The Elegance of the Hedgehog”

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Here’s a quote from one of the best books I’ve read recently, The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery.

We went on to discuss the definition of intelligence and he asked me if he could write down my formula in his moleskine notebook: “It is not a sacred gift, it is a primate’s only weapon.”

That is not a capital-M Moleskine product placement. I suppose in France the term moleskine has been, and is still more commonly used as meaning a certain sort of generic notebook, though I suppose that may change if Moleskine’s trademark policy is aggressively policed! From the company website:

The trademark MOLESKINE® is more and more frequently used on the net in various ways. We are pleased and proud of this because this is the indication of the interest and passion that our trademark can create. However, people using this trademark must be aware of the fact that MOLESKINE ® is a trademark registered by Moleskine S.r.l. and that it cannot be used without following some precise rules.

MOLESKINE ® is a trademark registered worldwide by Moleskine S.r.l., located in Milan, Viale Stelvio No. 66, 20159 – Italy.

We would be happy to allow free use of the same to all those people who find in the name Moleskine a deep connection with their way of being and acting. However Moleskine’s story and characteristics, together with the tradition which has been accompanying it from many years, require a very careful evaluation of every single situation.

Through its trademark, Moleskine wants to guarantee the quality which distinguishes its products and the coherence with its values and philosophy. For this reason, we ask all those people who want to use the name and/or the trademark Moleskine in the net to send us their request. Each request will be valued carefully by us and will receive a reply.

Sound a bit heavy ! But given what they’ve done with the brand, I can’t say it’s the most outrageous example of protecting a trademark that I’ve seen…

Art, Journal, Places to Buy Notebooks, Sketchbook

Help A Reader Find This Sketchbook!

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One of my readers needs your help! She bought this notebook at Hobby Lobby, but she’s wondering if they can be purchased anywhere else. I’ve never seen this exact brand, and my own web searching has produced no leads. It’s hard to tell from the photos, but it looks similar to the Pen & Ink sketchbook I reviewed…

It is called “The Art of Watercolor” and there is also “The Art of Pen & Ink” version for dry media. They are in the sketchbook section and cost something like $12 for the large size. They are the same size as the Molekskine, have the back pocket, the ribbon bookmark, the elastic closure band, and a smooth black cover which has a more rubbery feel than the Moleskine cover. They also come in a pocket version that is the same size as the small Moleskine Sketchbook.

Read more of her review here, and let us know if you can help find these!

about, Links, My Collection

Welcome, Unclutterer Readers!

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Welcome to everyone who came here looking for “notebook p 0 r n!” I promise you will find it! This site lovingly and obsessively drools over new and old notebooks of all brands, my notebooks, other people’s notebooks, with reviews, photos, ideas, tips, musings and questions, all about notebooks! You can subscribe to my feed here. You can also follow me on Twitter.

I am so flattered to have been noticed by one of the bigger blogs I follow! For regular Notebook Stories readers who don’t know it, The Unclutterer is a great source of inspiration for anyone who’s ever thought their life needs a little simplifying, and their “Unitasker Wednesday” series is always good for laughs! Of course, for many of us, notebooks and clutter are pretty much inseparable, but that’s all the more reason to check out The Unclutterer’s list of 35 Luxury Notebook brands. They even mentioned a few I hadn’t heard of… time to go shopping again! And as long as I keep my piles neat, it’s not clutter. Right?

books, Links, Other People's Notebooks, pens

Colm Toibin’s Notebook

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Here’s a notebook belonging to the Irish writer Colm Toibin, whose latest novel, “Brooklyn,” has just been published:

He wrote “Brooklyn” while teaching at Stanford, and this spring, in little more than a month, he turned out two book reviews and a 10,000-word short story, the first thing he has written on a computer. He usually writes longhand with disposable fountain pens, not that it slows him down. He is the author of six novels, one play, three travel books, a short-story collection and two books with photographers. He has edited a few anthologies, including the Penguin Book of Irish Fiction. Just for fun, he’s also the art critic for British Esquire.

From the New York Times Magazine profile by Alex Witchel, published May 2, 2009

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-05-02

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Miquelrius

More on the Joshua Davis Miquelrius Notebooks

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These have been a long time coming! I mentioned these forthcoming Miquelrius notebooks during the first month of this blog’s existence.

From the Toronto Globe & Mail:

He’s already designed for some of the coolest companies (Nike, BMW), showed at the best galleries (Tate Modern, MoMa) and even invaded our homes (with Umbra’s critically acclaimed Artala garbage can). So what’s left for visual artist/Web designer Joshua Davis to conquer? If not our hearts, then certainly things equally portable, like our notebooks and bags.

Next week, the enterprising Davis teams up with Miquelrius paper company to launch a new line of stationery goods and accessories. All bags and book covers are wrapped in art from his previous works, including lush Japanese-inspired floral patterns and spy-tinged takes on the world map.

Our favourite is the datebook (about $8), which features all the trappings of a Moleskine, including a pocket on the inside cover, but none of the ubiquity.

Visit www.joshuadavis.com for more details.

antique, Fun & Weird, Links, Places to Buy Notebooks

Retro and Expensive!

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Here’s a neat item that stretches the definition of “notebook,” or at least turns the clock back on it!

Brass and Ivory Pocket Notebook
It’s the 18th century version of the PDA. Beautifully crafted here in the US. Based on an original that Jefferson owned. These are made of sturdy brass stock with 4 old ivory pages and a pencil. Use this for making notes in the field and just erase with a wet finger when you are done. Folds up into a nice small package 1-1/8 inches by 4-1/2 inches by 3/16 inch thick. No batteries needed.

It’s $85 at Jas. Townsend & Son Ltd., “a mail order company that supplies 18th and 19th century reproductions for living history.”

Found via The Art of Manliness, via Moleskinerie

Notebooks, journals, sketchbooks, diaries: in search of the perfect page…