Jacques Herbin The Colours of Paris - Rooftops of Paris Writing Ink, 30ml
There is a particular shade of grey that belongs only to Paris. It lives above the city, on the zinc rooftops of the Haussmann apartments that line the grand boulevards and wrap around the courtyards of the 5th and 7th arrondissements. At certain times of day, especially in the low winter light or after rain, those rooflines take on a quality that is neither quite blue nor quite grey, but something quietly between the two. That is the colour Jacques Herbin has bottled here.
Rooftops of Parisis a soft, cool blue-grey — contemplative rather than assertive. On the page it reads as a muted, sophisticated tone with a distinctly Parisian character. It performs best through a wet, smooth nib on quality paper; on Rhodia or similar coated stock the colour deepens and the line becomes more defined. On absorbent paper and broader nibs, the pastel quality comes forward, which some will find appealing in its own right.
The Colours of Paris Collection
This ink is part of Jacques Herbin's five-colour Colours of Paris series, each shade drawn from a specific place or landmark in the city: the Moulin Rouge, the Paris Metro, the Eiffel Tower, the rue de la Verrerie, and these zinc rooftops.
The collection is a tribute to the city where the Maison Herbin was born in 1670, making Jacques Herbin the oldest ink manufacturer in the world. The house was founded by a 17th-century French adventurer who returned from multiple journeys to India carrying formulas for sealing wax and inks, establishing himself near the Louvre in Paris. From those origins, Herbin went on to produce fine writing inks, which are still made in France today, with finishing touches added by hand in Paris.
Ink Properties and Pen Compatibility
This dye-based formulation is vegan and offers a smooth flow with a quick drying time, and is compatible with all fountain pens, converter rollerball pens, and glass pens. The ink flows consistently without staining or clogging, and cleans easily from the pen. It is a straightforward, well-behaved ink formulated for everyday correspondence and note-taking, though it equally suits drawing and illustration where a restrained, tonal palette is the aim.
For those interested in ink mixing, Herbin's standard inks are known to be stable and flat, with no shading, shimmer or sheening, which makes them particularly well suited to mixing and use in art and painting contexts.
Presented in a 30ml Glass Bottle
The ink comes in a 30ml glass bottle with a metal cap, designed to sit well on a desk without being ostentatious about it. The bottle has a narrow base that allows the pen nib to reach the ink easily as the level drops. At 30ml, it represents genuine value for an ink of this pedigree.
Specifications
A note on using this ink well
Rooftops of Paris rewards a wet nib and quality paper. It is at its most legible and characterful on smooth stock such as Rhodia or Clairefontaine. In a drier pen or on highly absorbent paper, the pale tone can make reading at a glance more challenging, so it is worth pairing thoughtfully. For writing that calls for quiet elegance over sharp contrast, it is a considered and distinctive choice.
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