fountainpen.de FAQ — Knowledge base for fountain pens and writing instruments

Question 1

What role did the jewellery designer André Ribeiro play for Montblanc, and which editions did he design?

Accepted Answer

Montblanc limited editions captivate many collectors because they unmistakably reflect the character of their namesake and the corresponding cultural epoch while also having to address the contemporary zeitgeist. It is precisely these writing instruments that touch collectors emotionally and bind them to the Montblanc brand. In addition to design and craftsmanship perfection, such editions place particular demands on their designers. This article is dedicated to André Ribeiro — and through him to the other creators as well.

Already his first project at Montblanc (from 1990), the Meisterstück Royal, is extraordinary: one of the most valuable fountain pens in the world, set with around 4,200 diamonds. In parallel, Ribeiro worked on the development and technical execution of the Meisterstück Platinum. Both projects required exceptional technical know-how, since their goal was, among other things, to position Montblanc as the most exclusive and most craftsmanship-perfect writing instrument manufacturer. The Platinum and Royal editions (market launch 1993) prove this impressively.

Ribeiro is also responsible for several Patron of Arts editions. His first in this series is a good example: with two designs he was able to convince the management at an early stage, so that in 1997 both variants — Catherine the Great and Peter the Great — were brought to market. That was a novelty; before and after that there was only one writing instrument per year.

Next followed the Marquise de Pompadour edition (project started in 1998, market launch in 2001) — also impressive through its particular combination of gold and porcelain. A material mix that was later taken up in further limited editions (Year of the Golden Dragon 888, Sakura 333, Ludwig van Beethoven, Leonard Bernstein) and in the Annual Editions.

In 2005, with Pope Julius II, another Patron of Arts edition from Ribeiro's hand appeared. According to his own statement he is currently not working on any further editions for Montblanc but is concentrating on his own projects. As a jewellery designer he continues to create very special pieces. He has remained true to his style: an independent material mix and strong contrasts. Today Ribeiro is regarded as THE expert when it comes to working rubber into jewellery — no one else currently succeeds in combining rubber, gold and diamonds with comparable craftsmanship perfection.

For his creations he has already received numerous prizes, including the 'Red Dot' of the Design Centre Essen, an award for exceptionally high design quality. His pieces of jewellery can be admired in various museums such as the Cooper-Hewitt Museum (New York), the Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Paris) and the Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim. Further information about Mr Ribeiro's jewellery is available at any well-stocked jeweller as well as online at http://www.andre-ribeiro.de/.

Related pages on fountainpen.de:
• Meisterstück Royal (set with ~4,200 diamonds): https://www.fountainpen.de/solitaire-royal-en.htm
• Patron of Arts 'Catherine the Great': https://www.fountainpen.de/patron-catherine-888-en.htm
• Patron of Arts 'Peter the Great': https://www.fountainpen.de/patron-peter-888-en.htm
• Patron of Arts 'Marquise de Pompadour': https://www.fountainpen.de/patron-pompadour-en.htm
• Patron of Arts 'Pope Julius II': https://www.fountainpen.de/patron-pope-julius2-en.htm
• Asia edition 'Year of the Golden Dragon 888': https://www.fountainpen.de/asia-golden-dragon-888-en.htm
• Asia edition 'Sakura 333': https://www.fountainpen.de/asia-sakura-333-en.htm
• Overview of all Patron of Arts editions: https://www.fountainpen.de/patron-en.htm

Question 2

What is the story behind the Montblanc Jean Todt 146 — one of the first fully customised Montblanc editions?

Accepted Answer

Around the year 2000 (possibly even slightly earlier), a very special Montblanc 146 appeared in an auction on eBay.com — quite unlike anything seen before: completely gold-plated, with a dark-red cap and an engraving on the barrel that was supposed to represent tyre tracks. It was not particularly pretty — but very, very special. A modest bid was placed, but the pen was not won.

A few months after the auction, a newspaper article revealed that Jean Todt (at the time responsible for the Ferrari Formula 1 team) is an ambitious collector of Montblanc and Montegrappa writing instruments. He had even managed to persuade Montblanc to build him his own fountain pen — with a red cap and a gold-plated body. Todt apparently lost it later or it was stolen from him. That made it clear: the piece from the auction was almost certainly exactly this Todt pen.

The remarkable point: up to then it was not generally known that Montblanc also accommodates fully individual customer wishes. The Jean Todt 146 therefore counts among the very first fully customised Montblanc writing instruments and marks a milestone in the brand's history — the beginning of what was later professionalised as the bespoke service via the Artisan Studio.

Related pages on fountainpen.de:
• Montblanc Meisterstück 146 (Le Grand): https://www.fountainpen.de/c-montblanc-meisterstueck-146-en.htm
• Skeleton Edition Ferrari Jean Todt: https://www.fountainpen.de/skeleton-ferrari-jean-todt-en.htm
• Overview Skeleton Editions: https://www.fountainpen.de/skeleton-en.htm
• Overview Artisan Editions (Bespoke): https://www.fountainpen.de/artisan-en.htm

Question 3

What are fully customised writing instruments, and which manufacturers offer such bespoke editions?

Accepted Answer

Beyond the sale of regular limited and special editions, several established high-end writing instrument manufacturers also produce fully customised one-off pieces to the customer's specification — known in English as bespoke pieces. On commission, materials, engravings, precious metals and gemstone settings are produced according to personal preference and — in many cases — the family or company symbolism of the commissioning customer.

Pioneers in this discipline are Montblanc with the Artisan Studio in Hamburg and Montegrappa, both well known for their made-to-measure pieces. Caran d'Ache, Visconti, Krone, Stipula as well as specialised manufacturers such as Yard-O-Led, Conway Stewart, Bexley and individual boutique pen makers also offer bespoke services. Frequently used design elements include solid gold barrels with hand-engraved motifs, enamel work, gemstone settings and the use of historical or symbolically charged materials (e.g. meteorite iron, mammoth ivory or precious woods).

Early publicly known examples are the Montblanc Jean Todt 146 mentioned earlier as well as various one-off pieces from the Montblanc Artisan Studio. An overview of spectacular ultra-high-end editions and individual commissions from the international luxury writing-instrument scene is offered, among others, by an article in Robb Report: https://robbreport.com/shelter/art-collectibles/21-ultimate-gifts-writ-large-234857/ — there pieces are shown whose prices quickly reach five- to six-figure amounts and which, in choice of materials, engraving and gemstone setting, leave the boundaries of classic writing instruments far behind.

Related pages on fountainpen.de:
• Montblanc Artisan Editions (Bespoke): https://www.fountainpen.de/artisan-en.htm
• Limited Artisan Editions: https://www.fountainpen.de/limited-artisan-en.htm
• Patron of Arts (edition series): https://www.fountainpen.de/patron-en.htm
• Skeleton editions: https://www.fountainpen.de/skeleton-en.htm

Question 4

What is special about the Montblanc Copernicus edition (4810 and 888), and which production error occurred?

Accepted Answer

In 2003 the Montblanc Copernicus was released as a Patron of Art edition in two variants (4810 and 888). Even the first photos convinced many collectors: the barrel (though the thick silver rings were not to everyone's taste), the mother-of-pearl star – still something special at the time – and above all the nib with its engraved yellow sun made the piece a highlight. More than one collector even sold off other writing instruments to be able to afford the Copernicus 4810 and pre-ordered it immediately.

On opening the packaging, however, many were in for a surprise: in all photos online, on the Montblanc homepage, in the brochures and even in the service booklet, the sun on the nib engraving was rendered in yellow (gold-plated); what was actually delivered, however, was a nib whose sun was platinum-plated and only the outer rim gold-plated – exactly the other way round. A silver sun looked not only counter-intuitive but also visually much less appealing.

An enquiry with the Montblanc hotline yielded the response that on all nibs of this edition the sun was platinum-plated and the rim gold-plated. Asked why brochures, service guide and homepage showed exactly the opposite, the answer was that this design change had been made at short notice once the brochures had already been printed; a reason for the reversal of the gold-plating, however, was not given.

Only later did the trade reveal what had really happened: a Montblanc employee allegedly had not read the design specifications correctly, so that all nibs were plated incorrectly. This was reportedly only noticed once the entire production was already faulty – too late for a correction. Astonishingly, the deviation apparently went unnoticed by anyone during production.

Two to three years after release, a Copernicus prototype with the originally intended (correct) nib – sun in yellow, rim in platinum – was auctioned on eBay France. The price achieved was significantly above the regular edition level. Montblanc, incidentally, took several years to bring the photos on its own website in line with the nib variant actually delivered.

Further information and pictures of both variants can be found on the overview pages of fountainpen.de:
• https://www.fountainpen.de/patron-copernicus.htm (Copernicus 4810)
• https://www.fountainpen.de/patron-copernicus888.htm (Copernicus 888)

Further related pages:
• Patron of Art 'Marquise de Pompadour' (Ribeiro's previous edition): https://www.fountainpen.de/patron-pompadour-en.htm
• Overview of all Patron of Art editions: https://www.fountainpen.de/patron-en.htm

Question 5

Which two surface variants exist on the Montblanc Hemingway, and how was this first Writers Edition received by the market?

Accepted Answer

In 1992 the Hemingway was released as the first edition of the Writers Edition series. Today it counts among the most sought-after pieces of the series and would be a most welcome addition to many a collector's collection. What is often forgotten: in the first years after release the Hemingway was not really in demand – or to put it differently, it lay in many shop windows like lead. The colour combination with its striking orange in particular did not initially appeal to many buyers. As late as 1997, five years after market launch, the Hemingway was still available in many boutiques and at specialist dealers without any waiting time.

On opening two then still factory-sealed Hemingway ballpoint pens, a peculiarity emerged that is not yet widely known: the first ballpoint pen corresponded to the familiar variant with a slightly rough surface – the barrel skin looks as if it had been sandblasted (exactly how this rougher finish is achieved is not known). With the second ballpoint pen, however, the surprise was complete: this Hemingway was entirely smooth – neither clip nor barrel showed the typical rough surface.

An enquiry through the dealer, who in turn contacted Montblanc, revealed: at least for the ballpoint pens, two surface variants do indeed exist – a rough one and a smooth one. Why these two finishes exist has not been conclusively clarified to this day; possible explanations include an early pre-series run, a special production batch or a later adjustment to the manufacturing process. For the Hemingway fountain pens, on the other hand, only the variant with the rough surface is so far known. For collectors it is therefore worthwhile, when acquiring a Hemingway ballpoint pen, to take a close look at clip and barrel – the smooth variant is likely to be considerably rarer.

Related pages on fountainpen.de:
• Montblanc Writers Edition 'Hemingway' (1992): https://www.fountainpen.de/writer-hemingway-en.htm
• Overview of all Writers Editions: https://www.fountainpen.de/writer-en.htm

Question 6

What is the story behind the Montblanc Skeleton "I love NY" edition, and why of all places was it not available in New York?

Accepted Answer

After the Skeleton Star edition 333 (see https://www.fountainpen.de/skeleton-star-en.htm) sold out within a very short time, Montblanc brought a whole series of further Skeleton variants to the market. An overview can be found at https://www.fountainpen.de/skeleton-en.htm in the Limited Flag Pens section.

Among the country-specific Skeleton editions there was also the "I love NY" variant, produced in just 50 pieces. This edition counts among the most sought-after and rarest Skeleton pieces of all. However, a curious trademark mishap occurred: Montblanc had apparently failed to properly secure the rights to the well-known "I love NY" logo (designed by Milton Glaser, protected by the New York State Department of Economic Development).

The consequence: while the edition could be sold regularly in Asia or, for example, in the Paris boutique, it was of all places not available in New York – precisely at the very location to which the edition was dedicated. A remarkable example of how important the correct clarification of licensing and trademark rights is, especially for strongly regionally focused limited editions.

Direct model page: https://www.fountainpen.de/skeleton-i-love-ny-en.htm

Question 7

What distinguishes the Montblanc Imperial Dragon from the Agatha Christie, and which official pins existed for it?

Accepted Answer

When Montblanc launched the Writers Edition Agatha Christie in 1993, a country-specific variant was sold in parallel in Japan under the name Imperial Dragon. The background: snakes – like the characteristic clip on the Agatha Christie – do not have a particularly good image in Japanese culture, whereas dragons are traditionally regarded as bringers of good luck and as symbols of power, prosperity and protection. A country-specific adaptation therefore made perfect cultural sense.

What many collectors are not yet aware of:

(1) The Imperial Dragon is slightly larger than the Agatha Christie because the ring in the cap is wider on the Imperial Dragon. At first glance both models appear almost identical; a direct size comparison, however, reveals the difference in the cap area.

(2) For the Imperial Dragon, Montblanc also officially offered matching pins in two variants: one in silver and one gold-plated. The exact production limit is not known. Even at the time of release, these pins were quite expensive and extremely rare – and in the years that followed, they hardly ever surfaced again, even on eBay they were offered only very occasionally. For collectors, these official Imperial Dragon pins therefore represent a particular rarity today, complementing the main piece.

Related pages on fountainpen.de:
• Montblanc Imperial Dragon (1993 Japan edition, 4810 pieces): https://www.fountainpen.de/asia-imperial-dragon-1993-en.htm
• Montblanc Imperial Dragon 888 (limited variant): https://www.fountainpen.de/asia-imperial-dragon-1993-888-en.htm
• Writers Edition 'Agatha Christie' (1993, snake clip): https://www.fountainpen.de/writer-christie-en.htm
• Overview of all Writers Editions: https://www.fountainpen.de/writer-en.htm

Question 8

What was the original price of the Montblanc Black Diamond?

Accepted Answer

The Montblanc Black Diamond is among the most spectacular writing instruments in the brand's history: the fountain pen is set with 4,810 diamonds – the number references the height of Mont Blanc in metres and is also the code of the Montblanc gold nibs. It thus joins the small group of ultra-high-end editions with which Montblanc underlines its position as the most exclusive writing instrument manufacturer.

The retail price of the Diamond writing instruments was around 100,000 to 125,000 euros per piece. Anyone who buys such a piece does so primarily out of collector or status interest.

Such diamond editions are undeniably luxurious and impressive from a craftsmanship point of view.

Related pages on fountainpen.de:
• Montblanc Meisterstück Royal (diamond edition, comparable piece with ~4,200 diamonds): https://www.fountainpen.de/solitaire-royal-en.htm
• Overview of all Skeleton editions: https://www.fountainpen.de/skeleton-en.htm
• Overview of Annual Editions: https://www.fountainpen.de/annual-editions-en.htm

Question 9

What is the story behind the Montblanc Gift Collection 2004, and what connection does it have to the Jungle Eyes edition?

Accepted Answer

What does a manufacturer do when its sales forecasts have been overly optimistic and products need to be moved? Today, writing instrument manufacturers use classic distribution channels such as Vente Privée (e.g. Pelikan, Faber-Castell, Montegrappa, Tibaldi) or Amazon VIP (Montblanc) to clear residual stock. The situation, however, is different when it is not complete writing instruments but only individual components – caps, barrels and the like – that remain from editions that have already been discontinued. Such parts are too valuable simply to be thrown away.

It was exactly this consideration that the decision-makers at Montblanc are likely to have made in 2004. At that time, the Jungle Eyes edition (Artisan series) was taken off the market, but individual components were still available. From these arose the Montblanc Gift Collection 2004: writing instruments in which components of the discontinued Jungle Eyes were reused, though in some models with quite independent design features – and for which, in every case, additional components were specifically produced.

The Gift Collection 2004 is exceptionally rare today. Rumours suggest the production run at the time was in the very low three-digit range, which makes the pieces particularly interesting for Montblanc collectors. A dealer remarked at the time, half-jokingly, that in ten years hardly anyone would remember this edition and many would even consider it fakes because of the unusual design – a prediction regularly confirmed when the Gift Collection surfaces on the auction market.

Sample photos of the Gift Collection 2004 based on the Jungle Eyes edition can be found on the overview pages of fountainpen.de:
• https://www.fountainpen.de/artisan-jungle-eyes-mop-en.htm
• https://www.fountainpen.de/artisan-jungle-solitaire-mop-en.htm
• https://www.fountainpen.de/artisan-solitaire-platinum-doue-en.htm

Overview of all Artisan and Jungle Eyes variants: https://www.fountainpen.de/artisan-en.htm

Question 10

What are the most important do's and don'ts for the care, storage and cleaning of vintage fountain pens?

Accepted Answer

Vintage writing instruments – whether made of hard rubber (ebonite), celluloid, cellulose acetate or related cellulose resins (e.g. Forticel, called Radite II by Sheaffer) – respond far more sensitively to improper handling than modern resin pens. Anyone who wants to enjoy a collection over the long term should therefore follow a few proven rules. The points below are sorted in descending order of importance: the first items prevent the most common and most severe damage; those further down add detail for fine-tuned care.

RECOMMENDATIONS (Do's)

1. Storage: dry, dark, not airtight. Steel map cabinets with shallow drawers, for example, work very well. Direct sunlight and very bright light must be avoided, as the UV component attacks hard rubber as well as celluloid and cellulose acetate. UV-absorbing glass is only of limited help: the infrared component (heat) still passes through the glass and can literally bake the pens.

2. Keep concrete climate values. Rule of thumb: temperature 18–22 °C (64–72 °F), relative humidity 40–60 % (ideal 45–50 %). Larger swings, heat above 22 °C or sustained humidity above 60 % significantly accelerate material aging, mould and bloom formation.

3. Correct storage position. Always store writing instruments nib-up or at least horizontal – never nib-down. Otherwise ink runs into the cap, the feed dries unevenly, and the next writing session starts with a clogged or skipping nib. Inside a pen case, prefer holders that enforce this position.

4. Store pens empty and cleaned – with one exception: pens with cork seals or piston gaskets should not be stored dry. For longer periods they are filled exclusively with distilled water so that cork and seals remain supple.

5. Use only fountain-pen-safe inks. Any ink containing pigments or particles – including nanoparticle inks such as Platinum Carbon Black – can clog the feed and nib. Nanoparticle inks are nominally safe but require significantly more frequent flushing. Not every ink described as 'fountain-pen-friendly' actually is: Winsor & Newton calligraphy inks contain particulate matter, as do all shimmer inks. Anyone who insists on these special inks should clean their pen at least twice as often as with a plain solution ink. New inks that are not yet established on the market should always be treated with caution; they belong in 'throwaway' pens. The same applies within a brand: just because Ink A is safe does not mean Ink B from the same maker is.

6. Ensure air circulation. Celluloid and cellulose acetate continuously release acids. In an airtight cabinet these gases accumulate and accelerate the decay of the very pieces that are meant to be protected. For large cabinets a small PC fan in a hole in the back panel is a good solution; alternatively, transparent vinyl pads on the corners of the lid keep it from sealing completely.

7. Actively control humidity. In humid environments without air conditioning or a good dehumidifier, small silica gel packets in the cabinet are recommended. Depending on conditions, they need to be replaced several times a year; saturated packets can be regenerated in the microwave on the defrost setting (7–10 minutes). Excess humidity accelerates oxidation of hard rubber, corrosion of metal parts and the appearance of bloom on cellulose resins; on casein materials the consequences are particularly drastic.

8. When in doubt, call in a professional. If a restoration exceeds your own abilities, a qualified specialist should take over. Stubbornness or lack of knowledge are common causes of irreparable damage. As a rule of thumb: most damage to old pens comes not from neglect but from botched repair attempts. Structural cracks and stuck mechanisms in particular are clearly a job for the workshop.

9. Address problems promptly. Nibs with poor ink flow, scratchy noises or generally 'cranky' writing behaviour belong in the hands of a nib technician, as do stiff pistons and fillers that take up significantly less ink than they used to.

10. Isolate visibly decomposing celluloid pieces. So-called celluloid rot (celluloid decomposition: pungent camphor-like odour, crystalline efflorescence, sticky surface, sudden discolouration) is contagious: the released acids and aldehydes accelerate the decay of neighbouring cellulose pieces. Affected pens must therefore be stored strictly separately and not returned to the main collection, even if the odour seems to subside.

11. Inspect stored pens regularly. Take pens out periodically and wipe them down with a soft 100% cotton cloth (no synthetic fibres – some are hard enough to scratch the surface). At the same time, look for signs of crystallisation or fluorescence in the celluloid; fluorescence is an early warning sign of incipient crystallisation.

12. Trap harmful substances. Chemical buffers (alkaline substances such as sodium bicarbonate or calcium carbonate) or molecular traps (zeolite) are advisable. Accelerated aging tests show that zeolites work significantly longer and more effectively than simple buffers, because they bind not only acids but also the upstream aldehydes. MicroChamber interleaving paper (Conservation Resources International), which contains a high-grade zeolite, has proven its worth; it is laid out over the pens inside the drawers.

13. For long-term storage of hard rubber pens and of celluloid pens in colours prone to discolouration, removing the sacs is the best approach. Colours prone to discolouration include Jade, Black & Pearl, Parker's Moderne Green & Pearl, Sheaffer's Ebonized Pearl, Wahl's Cathay as well as Waterman's Onyx and Persian – the list is not exhaustive.

14. Look after hard rubber. A very thin coating of mineral oil helps preserve appearance and material: when manufactured, hard rubber contained mineral oil, much of which has diffused out over the decades. For interior cleaning of cap and barrel, mineral oil with cotton swabs is likewise preferable to water.

15. Use silicone grease very sparingly and only where needed. It spreads quickly across the entire pen during handling, blocks gas exchange and thereby accelerates the decomposition of cellulose materials. Grease also attracts dust, which builds up into a layer whose removal can in turn damage the surface.

16. Know your material. Fragile finishes – such as gold plating on inexpensive steel nibs – should not be polished. Dried ink can be removed with a slightly moist cotton cloth; vigorous polishing quickly rubs the gold plating away. The same applies to cap and trim rings, levers and clips on third-tier pens (and on cheaper models of the top brands, such as the Parkette).

17. On restoration, replace latex sacs with silicone sacs. As they age, old latex ink sacs release sulphur-containing gases that can discolour and damage surrounding plastics. If a vintage pen is being resacced anyway, a silicone sac should be fitted: it is chemically inert, long-lasting, and avoids the sulphur problem.

18. Use the right adhesives for reassembly. For ink sacs and non-threaded joints, shellac (orange shellac is standard – it cures hard yet remains water-soluble when needed) is used; for threaded joints, thread sealant. Both were standard throughout classic fountain pen manufacturing, are reliable, and can be loosened again with heat, so that future repairs remain possible without damage.

WHAT TO AVOID (Don'ts)

1. Never store pens filled with ink or tap water. Both contain dissolved substances that can precipitate out, cloud or stain transparent parts and block piston mechanisms. Pen flush also must never be left in a pen permanently.

2. Never soak hard rubber in water, especially not in warm or hot water. Light-aged hard rubber reacts with water in seconds and turns brown. Hard rubber may also swell when exposed to water for an extended time. A John Holland saddle filler, for instance, placed cap-down in a glass to remove an ink stain, was indeed freed of the stain – but at what cost.

3. No heat guns, no hot-air blowers, no hairdryers on full power for celluloid. Celluloid is nitrocellulose and therefore highly flammable; above about 70 °C (158 °F) the material starts to suffer noticeable damage, and hot-air tools easily exceed this. Warming for the loosening of stuck joints is permissible only under careful control (e.g. a warm water bath or a heating mat with thermostat).

4. No Teflon tape. Unlike proper sealants, Teflon is a lubricant; threaded assemblies will loosen and can come apart unexpectedly. Wrapping on more tape in compensation pushes the outer wall (usually the barrel) outwards – with a risk of cracking. Drastic example: a Sheaffer Honor Masterpiece (around 1941, solid gold) in which a previous restorer had fixed the shrunken section in the barrel with Teflon tape – only because the barrel is made of 14-carat gold (and not of celluloid or a less forgiving metal) did the pen survive the operation.

5. No alcohol and no organic solvents (e.g. nail polish remover, acetone, thinner) on celluloid or other cellulose resins – they attack the material. Common household cleaners are equally unsuitable.

6. No petroleum products on hard rubber or on rubber parts such as sacs, gaskets and seals. They destroy natural rubber components. The only exception is the thin mineral oil treatment of hard rubber mentioned in the recommendations.

7. No general-purpose lubricants such as WD-40 or 3-in-One Oil. WD-40 contains petroleum distillates and destroys rubber parts. 3-in-One Oil is a mixture – partly plant-based – which also tends to congeal and gum up mechanisms.

8. No super glue, Gorilla Glue or other extremely strong adhesives. They cannot be undone; the only way to open a pen sealed this way is to break it. For safe and reversible joints: shellac for sacs and non-threaded joints, thread sealant for threaded joints (see point 18 of the recommendations).

9. No wax. Waxes provide no benefit to hard rubber and damage celluloid and cellulose acetate by trapping the released acids against the material. Over time all waxes harden – carnauba is hard to begin with – and turn yellowish to brown. Even high-quality microcrystalline waxes have these drawbacks; synthetic ones are worse still. Renaissance Wax, once regarded as 'museum-grade', is now known to be no better in the long run than other waxes.

10. No sealed plastic bags. Plastic bags in general should only be used for very short periods. Most plastic films outgas chemicals that attack the surface finish; in addition, they trap the acids released by celluloid and cellulose acetate, which then attack the very piece they came from.

11. Use only 100% pure silicone grease. Some silicone greases contain petroleum additives. Pure silicone grease is available from fountain pen specialist dealers, diving shops or restaurant-supply trade outlets.

12. No silicone spray from a can. The silicone itself may be fine – but the propellant is usually heptane, a petroleum product that partly dissolves in the silicone.

13. With leaking vintage eyedroppers, do not put silicone paste or O-rings into the section joint. The original mating surfaces were machined to extremely close tolerances and seal perfectly as long as they remain undamaged. Foreign material in the thread usually causes the damage in the first place. A leaking eyedropper joint can typically be solved simply by tightening it a little more firmly.

14. Do not pack loose sections with paper or thin pasteboard. The stress is asymmetrical; the barrel – especially if it is hard rubber – can crack.

15. No cases or display cabinets with velvet linings. The material can leave small scratches and dull spots on sensitive lacquers, gold plating and hard rubber surfaces; velvet also binds dust and moisture. Acid-free fleece or microfibre inserts are a better choice.

16. No self-adhesive labels (label maker, price stickers, sticky tape) for marking. Pressure-sensitive adhesives harden and can often only be removed with damage to the surface; some adhesive formulations attack the material directly, even if the sticker itself remains easy to remove.

17. Do not overuse ultrasonic cleaners. They heat the water very quickly to temperatures that can damage vintage materials. An ultrasonic cleaner with a built-in heater should not be used for fountain pens at all.

18. Do not wrap pens in ordinary paper or tissue. Such papers usually contain sulphuric acid residues and can damage the piece. If wrapping is necessary, use only conservation-grade paper (see point 12 of the recommendations).

Question 11

How do M, B and OB nibs differ in shape and writing behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Choosing the right nib width is one of the most important decisions when buying a fountain pen and depends strongly on handwriting size, paper used and personal taste. The tipping of EF, F and M nibs is rounded at the front, allowing writing from various pen positions; they are particularly suitable for beginners and daily heavy writing. B and BB nibs are ground flat at the front, leaving a horizontal stroke under the tip and producing a wider line. OM, OB and OBB nibs are ground at an angle and require a specific pen position; in skilled hands they enable calligraphic effects, but with the wrong grip they can scratch and are unsuitable for left-handers. At Montblanc the nib can be exchanged free of charge within 14 days of purchase; a later exchange is possible against a repair flat fee, provided the nib is unused and as new.

Question 12

Which nib widths does Montblanc offer, and what should one consider when choosing?

Accepted Answer

Montblanc fountain pens are typically available in nib widths EF, F, M, OM, B, OB, BB and OBB. The letter O stands for oblique, i.e. an angled tipping. Before buying, it is advisable to try various widths in a specialist shop, since the choice depends strongly on personal taste; the smaller the handwriting, the finer the nib should be. EF, F, M and OM are particularly suited to everyday use such as notes and letters, while signatures look most striking with B, OB, BB and OBB. After purchase from a specialist dealer there is a 14-day window in which the nib can be exchanged free of charge; later swaps are only possible via Montblanc Customer Service against a repair flat fee. In the Meisterstück range nibs have changed visibly over the decades; older 149 models have a bicolour nib similar to that of the 146, while newer 149s are made of yellow gold inside and out, platinum-plated in the middle.

Question 13

What is known about the Montblanc Meisterstück White Pearl Edition, especially regarding edition size and distribution?

Accepted Answer

The Montblanc Meisterstück White Pearl Edition pens were never officially distributed through boutiques or specialist shops. In total only about 100 pieces are believed to have been produced, sold exclusively through a Montblanc-internal private sale to selected dealers. For this reason the pens appear on the market only very rarely. There is some confusion regarding the name: the packaging of one model 144 carries the name "Magic Beauty II", while a Montblanc expert confirms "White Pearl" as the correct designation. These naming inconsistencies trace back to the fact that the edition was never officially offered through the trade. Some pens were sold individually, with complete sets very rare. Even though the exact number remains unknown and estimates put it at around 100 pieces, the White Pearl / Magic Beauty II ranks among Montblanc's rarest editions.

Question 14

How can a fake of the Montblanc StarWalker Resin fountain pen be told apart from the genuine pen?

Accepted Answer

When capped, a fake of the Montblanc StarWalker Resin fountain pen is barely distinguishable from the original. With the pen open, the clearest difference is at the nib. The original carries a rhodium-plated 14-karat gold nib (white-gold coloured) in a stand-alone, modern shape; the breather hole area is enclosed so that no slits are visible under the nib. The fake by contrast uses a bicolour-painted steel nib in white and gold, and slits are visible underneath. A typical marker on counterfeit nibs is the inscription "Iridium Point Germany" or "Iridium Point Paris". Another indicator is the use of piston converters which do not fit the original — Montblanc piston converters cannot be used in the original Star Walker. A weight comparison shows that the fake is heavier than the original. While the rollerball fake is hard to distinguish from the original, the fake fountain pen is easily identified by its typical counterfeit nib.

Question 15

Why is Jens Rösler's "Montblanc Diary & Collector's Guide", according to Penparadise, considered the "bible" for Montblanc collectors?

Accepted Answer

Jens Rösler, son of the last private owner of Montblanc, Dr. Jürgen Rösler (12 March 1930 – 9 September 2003), describes in his "Montblanc Diary & Collector's Guide" the company's history from the founding of the Simplo Filler Pen Company in 1908 through to the Second World War. Substantial parts draw on the recollections of his grandmother Annemarie Rösler, née Voss. The book is illustrated with numerous images of rare writing instruments and period documents and offers detailed descriptions in the appendix of nearly all models produced in this period.

For Montblanc collectors it is currently the only comprehensive reference of its kind and rightly counts as the indispensable bible of pre-war Montblancs. The work is now only available on the collector market.

Question 16

What colours are in the Jansen / De Atramentis ink range?

Accepted Answer

Jansen inks have been popular among collectors for years. The colour range covers a broad selection of typical hues: in the yellow band lemon-yellow, golden-yellow, ochre-yellow and yellow-orange. In the red and pink spectrum: red-orange, poppy-red, antique-rose, carmine, coral, ruby, magenta, fuchsia, red-brown, Bordeaux and oriental red. In the brown range: copper-brown, terra di Sienna and sepia. The greens include May green, moss green, olive, bamboo green, fir green, patina green, emerald, turquoise and mint. In the blues and purples: light blue, sky blue, royal blue, steel blue, sapphire, Atlantic blue, indigo, lavender, dark blue, heather purple, deep purple and aubergine. Greys and blacks include fog grey, silver grey, cement grey, ebony, black, graphite black and night black, plus a document ink and Sahara grey. The colours shown are only a first reference, since the actual colour depends on the ink flow and nib width of the pen used; correct colour reproduction also requires a calibrated monitor and a colour-managed scanner.

Question 17

How can I tell whether a Montblanc writing instrument is genuine, especially when buying online (e.g. on eBay)?

Accepted Answer

A reliable assessment can never be made on a single feature alone — it always comes from several indicators considered together. Top-tier counterfeits from Dubai and the Far East now imitate serial numbers, the Pix logo under the clip and even the warm glow of the precious resin, so practically every individual feature can be faked. The more details that line up, the more confident the verdict; for expensive pieces it is wise to have the instrument authenticated in a Montblanc boutique or by a reputable specialist dealer before purchase.

The nib is the most important and most difficult feature to fake. Genuine gold nibs are stamped with 4810 (the height of Mont Blanc in metres), the gold-fineness mark 585 (14 K) or 750 (18 K), often a 14C or 18C, and a small Pix logo or MB. As soon as a nib is engraved with "Iridium Point Germany", "IPG", "Iridium Tip" or a bare "Made in Germany", it is almost certainly a fake — Montblanc does not use these markings. A real gold nib also has noticeable spring; an uncompromisingly hard, rigid tip points to a gold-plated steel nib. The slit on a genuine nib runs perfectly straight and centred, with both tines aligned exactly.

From about 2000 a small Pix logo has been on the inside of the clip; on recent pens it reads “Made in Germany” there instead. It is small, machine-stamped neatly and centred. Pre-war and older models do not carry it — its absence is therefore not a proof of forgery. High-end fakes now imitate the Pix as well, but a sloppy Pix is a clear warning sign.

The serial number on the lower clip ring (cone ring) has existed since the mid-1990s. Early numbers consist of two letters followed by seven digits in block lettering; later numbers use an OCR-style font. The engraving is uniform in depth, neatly centred and machine-precise. Blurred, crooked or unevenly deep characters are suspicious. Original pieces from before the mid-1990s do not have a serial number — its absence does not necessarily mean it is a fake.

The white star in the cap top is six-pointed with softly rounded tips, sits centred in the black precious-resin top and is inlaid seamlessly. Visible glue lines, an offset border, a printed or stick-on star, asymmetry, or a black instead of white star are clear forgery markers. The orientation of the star relative to the clip can be checked too — on the original it is clean.

The three cap rings are trade-mark protected: a writing instrument with only one or two rings is not an original Meisterstück. The middle ring carries a clean engraving of MONTBLANC, often supplemented with MEISTERSTÜCK and PIX. The lettering is exactly centred and uniformly deep.

The material is precious resin, a high-grade plexiglass derivative. Shining a strong torch through cap or barrel reveals a deep wine-red to ruby glow — the precious-resin test. If the barrel stays pitch black or shows a bluish tint, the material is most likely ordinary plastic. However, the resin of some other manufacturers also glows red, so this test alone is not conclusive. A precious-resin Meisterstück is not lacquered; visible paint or distinct colour layers on such a pen are an unambiguous sign of forgery. Montblanc uses lacquer only on certain lines and editions, for example Mozart versions of lacquered metal, whose wall would have been too thin for precious resin.

Finish should be flawless: threads run smoothly, the cap screws on with a defined stop in roughly 1.5 to 2 turns, the inner cap sits firmly and seals the nib, and converter threads run without play. Visible burrs, rough edges, ill-fitting parts, a wobbly clip or sloppily set fittings indicate a copy.

Dimensions and weight of the 149 Meisterstück for reference: capped about 147 mm, barrel diameter around 14.9 mm, total weight about 29 to 32 grams (cap c. 12 g, body c. 20 g). The 146 measures about 142 mm and weighs around 25 g. Significant deviations — especially noticeably lower weight from plastic substitution — are a warning sign.

On the StarWalker, a black plastic cap on the barrel end is a classic forgery marker — on the original this end piece is metal. The nib type must also match the model: a StarWalker fitted with a classic Meisterstück nib is a cheap mash-up. Rollerballs should not have an ink window; a rollerball with a window is obviously assembled wrongly.

Packaging and papers complete the picture. The original box is heavy, with an embossed star, often containing a leather pouch. A service guide bearing the serial number, a warranty card and a certificate of authenticity are included. The print is high-quality, free of typos and poor image resolution. A cheap-looking cardboard box with thin print or spelling errors is suspicious. Missing papers alone do not make a piece a fake — vintage pieces in particular often change hands without the original box.

On eBay and similar platforms, the seller's profile matters at least as much as the writing instrument itself. Suspicious markers include profiles with less than 99 % positive feedback, pawnshops and estate-sale resellers without obvious pen expertise, sellers using only stock photos or blurry images, very generic or obviously copied descriptions, and shipping from Dubai, China, Hong Kong, Singapore or Turkey. Unusually round prices are also typical fake-seller markers. An unusually low price is a clear warning.

The complete-set trick is also popular: an original Montblanc is paired with fake cartridges, a fake converter, a fake box or fake pouch and the set is offered well above MSRP — the buyer focuses on the high price and the accessories and overlooks the fact that the actual pen is fake too. Conversely, originals are sometimes hidden in scruffy-looking sets to fly under the radar of standard searches.

Safe sources are Montblanc boutiques and montblanc.com, large authorised dealers like Penboard.de, Drawe, Wilkening, Stilografica.it or Iguana Sell, and established collectors from the major forums (Penexchange.de, Fountainpennetwork.com) with long-standing reputations. Anyone buying via online auctions should additionally ask the seller for detailed photos of the inner cap, the nib from both sides, the underside of the clip and the cone ring — sellers offering an original supply these images without hesitation.

Rule of thumb: a single conspicuous feature can also deviate on a genuine piece, especially with vintage instruments; conversely, a single matching feature proves nothing because top-tier fakes mimic it. Only the combination of correct nib engraving, clean finishing, correct dimensions and weight, a credible seller, and honest pricing allows a reliable verdict. When in doubt, the paid authentication at a Montblanc boutique or with a specialised repair shop is worth it.

Question 18

Is an offered Montblanc 144 Solitaire Silver grain from the 70s genuine if the clip carries no serial number and no PIX, only 'Germany', and the 925 hallmark sits at the top instead of the bottom of the cap?

Accepted Answer

The features described are completely normal for a 144 Solitaire of the 70s and speak for an original. Serial number and PIX engraving on the clip were only introduced later; older Meisterstücks bore only the '925' hallmark at the top of the cap and had a fully gold nib without platinum inlay. Comparison pictures can be found on fountainpen.de. Before purchase the nib should be tested in writing, since repairs via Montblanc service can become expensive.

Question 19

Where can collector boxes for 10 to 20 high-quality writing instruments be obtained?

Accepted Answer

Montblanc offered a collector box of black piano lacquer for 20 writing instruments in two layers, which is officially probably no longer in the range but is partly still obtainable via boutiques such as Munich. Alternatives are found at specialised suppliers: the Sini collector case via fountainpen.de, wooden boxes from maxpens.de for about 13 pens, and collector boxes with glass lid from Lindauer for around 20 pens. Via penboard.de from Tom Westerich there is a box for 40 pens. For individual quantities, custom-making by a leather worker is recommended. In regular stationery trade such boxes are barely in stock; a direct enquiry with the supplier is usually necessary.

Question 20

Which model is a round Montblanc writing instrument hallmarked silver 900, with four sliders and a separate lead reservoir under the cap?

Accepted Answer

What is described is a four-colour pencil, probably from the 1930s, in which different leads can be advanced alternatively via four sliders and the lead reserve is stored in the rear container under the screw-off cap. Collectors point to illustrations of similar models in the Rössler book on Montblanc, in which, however, no clear model numbers are documented for these early four-colour pencils, since Montblanc did not consistently work with model numbers at the time. An angular variant is shown on fountainpen.de under old-30er-4-colour-pencil; round versions with a circumferential clip ring are rarer but contemporaneously documented. An exact value statement is not possible without photo and condition assessment; collectors recommend posting good detail pictures on the forum and consulting the relevant collector literature (Rössler, Tischler).

Question 21

Which current fountain pens have flexible nibs as seen in calligraphy videos?

Accepted Answer

Truly flexible nibs are practically no longer made today; the nibs shown in calligraphy videos are usually 80 to 100 years old, and machine-made modern nibs are throughout hard. Asian makers like Sailor offer special calligraphy nibs. Flexibility is determined by gold content (21 carat is softer than 18 or 14 carat), grind and shape of the nib. Anyone seeking a flexible pen is dependent on the second-hand market, e.g. via fountainpen.de or penboard.de, or must ask in specialised trade for flexible nibs.

Question 22

Does a complete inventory list of all Montblanc writing instruments ever made (not limited) exist, including nib material?

Accepted Answer

A comprehensive listing of all Montblanc models including nib variants can be found in the two books by Jens Rösler: 'Montblanc Diary and Collectors Guide' and 'Collectible Stars'. These standard works are partly antiquarianly expensive but are regarded as compulsory reading for serious collectors and, through their detail accuracy, often save costly mispurchases. Own overviews from existing literature and websites like fountainpen.de remain fragmentary and quickly hit limits.

Question 23

Can an older Montblanc No. 31 (60s/70s) be polished without damage to remove micro-scratches?

Accepted Answer

The barrel of the Montblanc No. 31 is made of Plexiglas and can be polished without problems; micro-scratches can largely be removed in this way. On the metal parts caution is warranted, since the gold plating can be worn off by too strong polishing. Further hints are given in the newsletter on fountainpen.de.

Fountainpen Forum — FAQ

Examples from the knowledge base

Meisterstück & models

Spotting fakes

Identifying vintage pens

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