Montblanc Announces Donation of Lapham Quarterly to 300 Schools Nationwide

MURRAY HILL, N.J., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Global luxury-goods brand Montblanc announced today that on Monday, October 25th, in support of its long-standing commitment to arts and educational initiatives worldwide, North American President & CEO, Jan-Patrick Schmitz will proudly donate a year's subscription of Lapham's Quarterly to 300 public high schools and libraries throughout the country.  True to the brand's philosophy of helping others, most notably the artistic and cultural development of current and future generations, Montblanc selected Lapham's Quarterly to further enrich students' reading experiences and complement their existing school curriculums with a journal whose content features a combination of art and history which concern our modern world.  In an environment where students are surrounded and fascinated by technological and digital innovations, Montblanc deems it very necessary to remind students of the importance of reading and writing and believes that Lapham's Quarterly is an excellent learning tool that can positively enhance their education.  In addition, the donation of Lapham's Quarterly to libraries will allow unlimited access to this remarkable magazine that will enrich the minds of the general public.

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Each issue of Lapham's Quarterly explores and expands on a single theme.  In 2008, the magazine's first four issues were dedicated, respectively, to war, money, nature, and education, each created with an aim to help readers find historical threads from Homer to Queen Elizabeth I to George Patton, from Aesop to Edith Wharton to Joan Didion. A typical issue features an introduction from editor Lewis H. Lapham; approximately 100 "Voices in Time"— themed selections drawn from the annals and archives of the past — and newly commissioned commentary and criticism from today's preeminent scholars and writers.  A myriad of photographs, paintings, charts, graphs, and maps round out each issue's 224 pages.

"Montblanc remains committed to supporting educational initiatives worldwide to ensure that students' experiences within the classroom are well-rounded and richly enhanced with subject matter that expands their thinking and creativity," said Jan-Patrick Schmitz, President and CEO, Montblanc North America.  "It is with great pleasure that I present subscriptions of Lapham's Quarterly to 300 U.S. high schools and libraries in an effort to reach as many students as possible with a journal I believe will be a source of great learning and discovery."

With the donation of the Lapham's Quarterly subscriptions to select high schools and libraries, Montblanc is building on its worldwide educational platform whose goal is to ensure that access to proper education exists for students of all ages. Montblanc's commitment has remained intact even throughout challenging times, when funding for extracurricular educational and arts programs was being drastically reduced by many other companies.

"The gift from Montblanc is a joyful one," said Lewis Lapham, "as handsome as the Montblanc pen, in keeping with the best hopes of Lapham's Quarterly, to serve as an instrument of learning.  I'm proud of the purpose to which it is being put."

Jan-Patrick Schmitz will announce the donation of the Lapham's Quarterly subscriptions at the National Arts Club in New York City at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 25th.  

About MONTBLANC:

For over 100 years, Montblanc has embraced the traditions of lasting value and exquisite craftsmanship. The company's uncompromising principles of design, style, quality and workmanship have allowed them to create heirloom collections that are handed down from generation to generation.  The iconic Montblanc Star is a symbol of excellence — the pinnacle of luxury writing instruments, timepieces, jewelry, and leather.  The brand has made an enduring commitment to encourage excellence through cultural advancement.  www.montblanc.com

About LAPHAM'S QUARTERLY:

Published by the American Agora Foundation, Lapham's Quarterly sets the story of the past in the frame of the present.  Four times a year, the editors choose a question current in the headlines—foreign war, financial panic, the whereabouts of God—and bring answers from authors whose powers of observation and expression have passed the test of time.  Issues for 2010 include "Religion," "Arts & Letters," "Sports & Games" and "The City."  The first issue of 2011 will consider celebrity and the history of fame.  Lapham's Quarterly was named the Best New Publication of 2009 by the Utne Independent Press Awards and received the Library Journal Award for Best New Magazine Launch in 2008.  Original essays from the magazine have been included in Best American Essays 2009 and Best American Travel Writing 2010.   http://www.laphamsquarterly.org

SOURCE Montblanc