The Moleskine Notebook Renaissance

The Legendary Notebook of European Artists, Writers and Thinkers is Back

Moleskine Notebooks have been enshrined in legend as the notebook used by Oscar Wilde, Hemingway, Picasso, Matisse, Van Gogh and several others. In the modern era, they were known to be used by British novelist and travel writer, Bruce Chatwin. Today, there are several varieties of Moleskine notebooks on the market and they can be found in your neighborhood stationary stores, bookstores, art stores and are even carried by large chains such as Barnes and Noble. Many customers wonder, are they the direct descendant of a long creative tradition or a modern copycat profiting from good association?

They are not direct descendants of the original Moleskine brand, but many artists and writers feel that their quality and tradition have been carried on in the spirit of the name and still refuse to use any other brand. Originally produced by a tradition of French bookbinders, the last manufacturers closed down production in 1986. So hugely popular, it was said that those who could afford to, ordered and stockpiled hundreds of the notebooks in an effort to keep their supply.

In 1998, an Italian company Modo e Modo, revived and started producing the product line again, modeling them after the original designs and features that made the Moleskine notebooks famous. They have since expanded their line to include different styles, shapes, bindings, and even differences in the stock (paper) that are designed for artists working in a variety of mediums. The current Moleskine website states:

"With its various different page styles it accompanies the creative professions and has become a symbol of contemporary nomadism.
Moleskine is a family of notebooks for different functions, according with a free mindstyle, both basic and emotional."