PEN OF THE YEAR 2003 (POTY2003, 1500 PIECES)

SNAKE WOOD, THE FIRST PEN OF THE YEAR

그라폰 파버카스텔 올해의 펜 2003 (1500개)

I've been thinking what should I upload for my 200th post.

I've wanted to post something special and meaningful, and I believe this would be the perfect choice.

Until now, I've introduced several POTYs, the flagship of Graf von Faber Castell, being the desire for many fountain pen collectors.

Graf von Faber Castell has presented 20 POTYs as of 2024, and all the history started from this pen.

POTY 2003 has rather clunky design in general.

Many features of the 1st generation POTYs were established in POTY 2004.

POTY 2003, the first POTY, also shares many common things, but also has several distinct points at the same time.

As you can see, this one has a bit simple wooden case instead of other POTYs' luxurious wooden cases.

The fountain pen and the pamphlet are on the plastic case.

There is no warranty card that claims the fountain pen was made by an artisan, and the warranty card is included in the small leaflet.

The pen is made of snake wood.

Compared to other POTYs, made of rare and precious material, this one doesn't seem to be that much special.

Still, POTY 2003 is sought after by many pen collectors since its true value resides in the fact this is the first POTY.

This cap design is common for POTY series.

Cap design started to become slightly different for 2nd generation POTYs, but all the 1st generation POTYs have the same cap.

(FYI, POTY 2012 has the cap with different gold color.)

There is no gem stone on the cap.

There is also no gem stone at the bottom cap.

It is engraved PEN OF THE YEAR 2003.

POTY 2003 doesn't have its serial number.

Later POTYs indicated its own serial number, but all POTY 2003s are on the equal footing.

Graf von Faber Castell's 18K bicolor gold nib.

1st generation POTYs didn't have their own exclusive nibs.

As the name tells, snake wood has snake patterns.

Later, Graf von Faber Castell released another snake wood fountain pen.

POTY 2003 might not be made wood rare and precious material, but it has a very significant meaning in the history of Graf von Faber Castell.