Atlas Stationers | Atlas Iron Ore
Description
In the latest Curious Collaborations Series, we tell the story of Atlas Stationers, Chicago’s largest and most historic independent stationery store. Opening in 1939, four generations of The Schmidt family have operated and served their Chicago community, as a place for essentially supplies, and now a community hub for creatives and passionate collectors. Together, we celebrate their civic pride with a shimmering silver-black ink inspired by their building, one of the last remaining post-Chicago fire buildings in the city. Celebrate our shared passion for writing and creativity with this all new, customized sparkling ink formulation.
Ink Tone: Iron Black, silver shimmer
Characteristics: Classic, mature, historic
Features
• 38ml ink reservoir
• Rich and saturated tones
• Sliver shimmer
• Water-based and compatible with all fountain pens
• Signature brass cap
Once Upon a Design
Take a stroll down Lake Street, under the elevated railroad, to the historic storefront of Atlas Stationers. Located in the Lake-Franklin building, one of the few remaining post-Chicago Fire buildings in the city, this multi-generational family business continues to strive to bring their love of stationery to the city of Chicago. Discover the magnificent architectural details, from the cast-iron columns and hand-carved architectural details, delicately illustrated with a Ferris Wheel twist. Take a climb up the vintage fire escape to peek through store room windows, perhaps discovering your favourite new ink, or a unique peer into the past.
Notable design details:
- Stained-glass windows depict the 4 stars of the Chicago flag, each representing significant and historic Chicago milestones.
- Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow kicks over an oil lamp. She was rumoured to have possibly caused the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, but was officially exonerated in 1997.
- The Lake Street Elevated Railroad passes in front of 227 W Lake St.; a friendly bear engineer waves hello from the end.
- Beautiful iron-work columns which flank the storefront serve as inspiration for the ink colour. The Lake-Franklin building, finished in 1875, is the current home of Atlas Stationers.