Jacques Herbin Prestige Ink Cartridges "The Essentials" – Bleu de Minuit

There are blues, and then there is Bleu de Minuit.

Deep and intense, this shade evokes a night sky - the kind of blue that reads as serious on the page without being cold, that gives handwritten correspondence a weight and elegance you simply cannot replicate with a ballpoint. It has long been favoured for daily writing, letters, and careful notation, and it is easy to understand why.

These cartridges come from the oldest ink brand in the world. Jacques Herbin began in 1670 in the heart of Paris, where the founder established a small workshop crafting sealing wax, inks, and writing instruments. The house eventually earned the patronage of French royalty, including Louis XIV and Napoleon Bonaparte. Over three and a half centuries later, the formulas are still developed in Paris, and the craft still shows.

What's in the box
Each box contains 7 standard international cartridges, each holding 1.35 ml of ink and measuring 7.2 cm in length. The cartridges fit most fountain pens that accept the standard international format - though it is worth noting they are not compatible with proprietary systems such as Sheaffer, Parker, Lamy, Cross, Pilot, Namiki, Sailor, Platinum, or Aurora.

The ink itself
Formulated specifically for fountain pen writing, the ink is both soft and luminous - qualities the house has been refining since the Jewel of Inks collection was first introduced. It is vegan, dye-based, and offers quick drying time alongside a smooth, consistent glide across the page. It is finely filtered so it will not clog your fountain pen - a practical detail that matters if you write regularly and prefer not to spend your weekends flushing feeds.

The colour sits in the space between navy and true midnight: dark enough to be formal, with enough blue character to remain distinctive. On good paper it shows subtle depth; on cheaper stock it still reads clearly and cleanly.

Who it's for?
Midnight Blue suits anyone who writes by hand with intention - correspondence, journaling, manuscript drafts, or the kind of daily notes that deserve something better than a throwaway cartridge. It is particularly well regarded among lovers of fine writing, calligraphers, and correspondence enthusiasts who value silky texture and depth of colour.

Care and storage
Store at or below 25°C, away from direct sunlight. If your pen sits unused for an extended period, empty and clean it before refilling - this applies to any quality ink and keeps the nib in good condition.