Which replacement refills fit a counterfeit Montblanc Starwalker rollerball?

On counterfeits original Montblanc refills usually do not fit, since the holder does not match the original dimensions. In the forum it is recommended to try various standard refills in a stationery shop to find a fitting alternative. Collectors point out that knowingly buying, selling and partly even possessing brand counterfeits can be legally problematic. As a long-term more sensible solution, replacing the fake with an original writing instrument is regarded; repair or nib work on counterfeits is not carried out by Montblanc.


Why is there no special packaging or accompanying material for the early Montblanc Artisan editions (True Princess, Magic Beauty, Hans Christian Andersen)?

Binding information can only be given by the respective product manager; the background lies, in collector judgement, in the original marketing strategy. The early-released 'Fairy Tale Collection' (Magic Beauty/True Princess, 1999) was distributed very discreetly and without public advertising, which is why special packaging and inserts were dispensed with. Only later Artisan editions received high-quality leather cases and companion booklets, which is interpreted as a reaction to the upmarket price level. With cufflinks and similar jewellery pieces, the Jungle Eyes collection is sometimes wrongly offered as True Princess on eBay, so verification via the boutique is sensible.


What value and history does an older Montblanc Carrera fountain pen from the 1970s have?

The Carrera is a school or use fountain pen produced in the 1970s in the lower price segment of Montblanc. Collectors estimate the market value in normal preservation state at about 30 euros or less, since the model is neither rare nor particularly coveted. Up to 1991 Montblanc made the entire spectrum from inexpensive school pens to Meisterstück; the brand's luxury reputation refers above all to later production. The Carrera is therefore primarily suitable as a use writing instrument and not as an investment.


How can the nib width of a Montblanc 146 be exchanged, and what costs apply?

Within the first 14 days of new purchase, the nib width is exchanged free of charge by Montblanc, provided the nib is not bent. Later exchanges run via the boutique or factory service against the usual repair flat fee, whose exact amount Montblanc only states after assessment. Some boutiques exchange the nib directly on site, which significantly speeds up the process. A precondition is generally that a matching desired nib is in stock.


Which fountain-pen model could an old piece with the inscription 'Iridium Tipped' be?

The inscription 'Iridium Tipped' alone does not allow brand attribution, since many makers used this notation. In the forum Ric Lei was first guessed at, a less known historical maker whose safety models occasionally appear at shows and on eBay. Attribution to Kaweco also came into consideration, since the company history produced similar models. For safe determination, inscriptions on barrel and nib, dimensions and the filling system should be checked and matched with image material from specialised sources.


Is the Montblanc boutique on Vienna's Graben actually closing or only relocating?

It is not a closure but a relocation within the same street. The old boutique at Graben 17 ceased sales on 24.02.2007, while at the end of April a new Montblanc Flagship Boutique opened at Graben 15. Economic background of such location changes are typically very high rents in this area. Repairs and intermediate trade are handled during the transition period via an intermediary on Kärntnerstraße.


Which versions and peculiarities does the Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock Limited Edition have?

The edition appears in two variants: a red version of white gold limited to 80 pieces with 25-layer red lacquer and a black-white edition limited to 3,000 pieces in silver with 8-layer lacquer, each as fountain pen and rollerball. Characteristic are a Vertigo effect on the cap, a clip designed as a knife and slightly liftable, 56 strokes for the 56 films on the black-white variant and a film-roll look and 80 dots for Hitchcock's 80 years of life on the red variant. Accompanying it, a separate red ink was announced to come on the market in parallel with the pen launch.


Which polish is suitable to polish a Montblanc Meisterstück 144 from the 1950s?

The Meisterstücks of the 1950s consist of celluloid, not acrylic, which is why agents like Displex must absolutely be avoided — they attack the surface and can outright decompose it. Wenol with its fine abrasive particles has proven itself; it delivers a smooth surface without aggressive dissolving and is available in automotive or specialist trade. Displex by contrast is well suited for modern Plexiglas writing instruments. With good preservation of the piece, only restrained polishing is recommended in principle.

General questions on writing instruments


Is it worthwhile for jewellers to take high-quality writing instruments into their assortment, or do they remain a domain of specialist trade?

The majority of collectors buy their high-quality writing instruments in classic stationery specialist trade or directly in the brand boutiques, since better advice competence and greater service relation exist there. For jewellers, especially from the mid-class segment, a supplementary assortment of premium pens can work, provided the staff is correspondingly trained. Brand boutiques count for makers like Montblanc as very lucrative, because there sale takes place without doubled trade margin and barely with discounts and service can be handled cheaply. A blanket evaluation as a goldmine is, however, not possible without balance-sheet insight.


Are eBay sellers like 'pen-seller' or 'vertrieb06' reputable for buying a Montblanc Starwalker?

Sellers working with foreign or stolen product images count as not reputable and should be avoided. 'pen-seller' is mostly rated reputable in the forum, with positive ratings and, by his own statement, direct sourcing from Hamburg; several collectors have bought there without problems. Low prices alone need not be an indication of counterfeits, since dealers have different purchasing conditions. To safeguard, a detailed image comparison with the fake overviews on Fountainpen.de and a phone seller contact before purchase are recommended.


How can the gold lettering (model engraving) of an older Kaweco Sport contaminated by polish be cleaned gently?

Very cautiously a soft toothbrush and water can first be tried to remove polish residues from the engraving without washing out the colour fill with it. If that brings no success or the colour is already largely washed out, going to a specialist dealer is advisable, who refills the engraving outpatient with special engraving paste or engraving pens. Aggressive cleaners are to be avoided, since they additionally remove the remaining colour and only leave a blind engraving. Professional refilling is the most reliable method to restore the original appearance.


Where do you, as a beginner, get a functioning old Montblanc fountain pen (models 22/24/32/34) at defensible prices, and what should be paid attention to?

For beginners with small budgets eBay is basically usable, provided the pictures are clear and nibs do not appear bent; prices in very good condition lie mostly in the low three-digit euro range. At specialised dealers prices are higher, in return with checked condition and partly warranty. Nib designations like 'OM' or 'OB' mean oblique (slanted) and enable calligraphic effects, although these arise more from nib-slit work than from pure slanting. The hyphen '-' in model designations indicates older pieces, partly made of celluloid; in everyday life these are easy to care for but should not be subjected to strong pressure or falls.


How can a gifted Meisterstück with 18-carat nib be verified as model 144?

The pen described is actually a 144 from the 1990s. Whether the nib is 14 or 18 carat is for model determination secondary, since Montblanc fitted nibs in both carat grades — decisive are dimensions, shape and fittings. On comparison with boutique models or fountainpen.de galleries, the typical features can be checked well. With ballpoints applies: the only true 'Mont Blanc' ballpoint comes from the 100-year anniversary edition with granite cap; everything else are regular models like the Starwalker.


Has Montblanc ever produced a ballpoint with two refills?

Yes, Montblanc offered in the 1980s a two-colour ballpoint belonging to the Slimline series and sold from 1985 to 1988. It was available in matt-brushed stainless steel and rarely in titanium colour, with chromed or gold-plated clip. The mechanism does not come from Montblanc itself, which is why common standard 4-colour refills fit. After concentrating on the Meisterstück programme, these models were taken out of the assortment.


How can on an unrestored Montblanc Meisterstück 136 originality and components (cap, star, nib, barrel) be reliably assessed?

Missing model engravings on the closing cap or end piece are no compelling indication of counterfeit — collectors know originals without corresponding lettering, presumably from Monday-production. Steel nibs were not exclusively fitted in the 136 during the war; here too there are legitimate variations. Decisive are overall proportions, ink window, piston mechanism and material; in case of doubt an experienced restorer like the named specialist should give an assessment. A new cork is often due on old 136s and is unproblematically obtainable via specialists.


Which inks can be used in a Waterman Sérénité, and are there recommendations for historical Waterman models with flexible nib?

In principle any fountain-pen ink of various makers can be used; one should only watch for 'fountain-pen ink' in the narrower sense and not use document-proof or particularly aggressive inks in sensitive reservoirs. For flexible nibs, especially the Waterman lever pens of models 52 and 54 from the 1920s and 1930s are recommended; they write excellently, but the hard-rubber bodies are UV- and sweat-sensitive and tend to discolour. To source such historical pieces, e.g. Lutz Fiebig in Magdeburg is named. A specialist check before purchase is sensible, since nib condition and sac tightness are decisive.


From when was the Faber-Castell Classic Ebony line offered platinum-plated, and how high were the list prices of the silver-plated variant?

The Classic Ebony line is today predominantly known in the platinum-plated version, although a silver-plated variant existed in the past and can correspondingly tarnish. Current list price for the fountain pen in platinum-plated version is around 420 euros. Silver-plated pieces are visually more appealing but more care-intensive, while platinum-plated variants are tarnish-resistant. Detailed data on the exact change of coating variant and list prices of the rollerball version were not conclusively documented in the thread.


How can the authenticity of a cheaply offered Montblanc 144 be assessed by photos?

A 144 with 18-carat gold nib speaks for an original; the model line is no longer in active assortment and is aimed at small, delicate hands. Strikingly low prices in the 150-euro range can be reputable but should trigger additional caution and check of nib, fittings and inscriptions. The Mozart by contrast is a still smaller note-writing instrument and not to be confused with the 144. On remaining doubts a comparison with gallery pictures or presentation in a boutique is recommended.


Does the Collegium Aureum Scriptorum (CAS) still exist, and what use is membership?

The CAS is still active; chairman is Dirk Barmeyer, who essentially carries the club organisationally alone. The annual membership fee is, by statutes, 35 euros for active and 50 euros for passive members. Members get access to organised events like factory tours (e.g. Montblanc, wood-pen maker Fink) and workshops generally exclusively open to members. The web presence has meanwhile been renewed; patience on enquiries is sometimes needed due to the slim personnel set-up.


Can scratches on a Montblanc Meisterstück Solitaire of stainless steel be polished, and is the effort worthwhile?

Self-polishing is difficult, since improper attempts mostly leave additional scratches. Recommended are Cape Cod polishing cloths, also standard on steel watches and effective at removing fine scratches. Alternatively, a watchmaker or jeweller with experience in steel-watch care can professionally polish the writing instrument. In assessment from photos it should be considered that flash makes scratches appear more dramatic; as a new price the stainless-steel ballpoint lay at around 550 euros.


Who repairs an OMAS 360 Grande with defective piston filler when the maker itself refuses repair?

OMAS, by experience from the forum, refuses repair of older 360 Grandes citing missing spare parts, which makes the service situation appear critical. As an alternative, experienced pen restorers or specialised workshops familiar with Italian piston pens come into consideration who, if needed, source spare parts from donor devices or in-house manufacture. Users report that OMAS pens are valued for their flexible nibs and workmanship, but the service shows long processing times and repair refusals on models taken out of the programme. An enquiry with renowned specialist restorers is therefore the most practical way.


Is the Pelikan 250 set at Galeria Kaufhof worthwhile in price and quality?

The Pelikan 250 set was offered at Kaufhof at a strikingly cheap price and counts as a good everyday writing instrument. From the 250 line Pelikan fits a 585 gold nib; from the 300 line a bicolour nib. Size-wise the M250 corresponds to the M400, although the 400 is somewhat more exclusively finished. The nib breaks in softer after a short familiarisation and offers very good value for the money offered.


Which models and versions does the Montblanc Unicef edition comprise, and is there a special Limited variant?

The regular Unicef edition was introduced on 11 May 2009 and comprises the Meisterstück models 145, 146, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165 and 167; characteristic is a blue gemstone in the form of a water drop on the cap top. Accompanying it, there is a true Limited Edition with lapis-lazuli caps, executed in 750 yellow or white gold (not platinum-plated), in 100 pieces each. In September 2009 the line was supplemented with women's and men's jewellery and a collection. Proceeds flow into the joint education programme 'Schools for Africa' of UNICEF and Nelson Mandela Foundation; special individual cases as part of the action are not known.


How can refills be changed or the lead reservoir refilled on the Pelikan mechanical pencil 450?

Pelikan uses, like many makers, a pencil mechanism by Schmidt Feintechnik. To refill the reservoir, the housing is unscrewed in the middle; if this cannot be opened, the piece was presumably glued by the previous owner. In this case only filling with single leads from the front remains. Cautious disassembly by an expert can restore the original function, provided the bonding can be loosened.


When is the Montblanc Johannes Brahms Donation Edition officially sold, and at what prices?

The Brahms edition has been officially available in Montblanc boutiques since the beginning of May. Prices are 590 euros for the fountain pen, 490 euros for the rollerball and 390 euros for the ballpoint. Visually and conceptually it resembles the other Donation Pens, which is interpreted as a deliberate line guidance of the Montblanc strategy for this series. Companion brochures are available in the boutiques.


Are there original Montblanc 146s with 136 nibs or 149s with 139 nibs, and does this affect the value?

Such transitional combinations actually occur: on model changes, Montblanc occasionally fitted remainders of predecessor nibs in the successor models, so e.g. early 149s with 139 nib or 146s with 136 nib turn up in collections. Feeds were partly later exchanged in service for the round models from the 1950s. Such a combination mostly does not increase value, since it is not model-faithful; some collectors even rate the mix as value-reducing. More frequent are, however, subsequently swapped wrong nibs on the market, which is why on purchase special caution is warranted.


Are both the gold and the platinum edition of the Montblanc 145 Chopin counterfeited, and how do you recognise counterfeits?

Both variants are counterfeited, with the quality of the plagiarisms meanwhile considerably increased. The most important recognition feature are the imprints on the nib: on fakes they look typically flat or under strong loupe 'scrawly', since they are lasered instead of stamped. Even complete sets including CD and packaging are now counterfeited, so original boxes are no longer an authenticity guarantee — fraudsters partly use original packaging acquired on eBay for counterfeits. For identification a detail comparison with original photos on Fountainpen.de is recommended.


How is a Montblanc fountain pen to be assessed whose components come from three or four different epochs?

Such a fountain pen was never originally delivered in this configuration but assembled from parts of various models and epochs. A war-related makeshift assembly is unlikely if components from the 1950s are contained. Such a mixed piece is collector-worthy at most as a parts donor; a proper model attribution is not possible. On sale it should be declared accordingly to avoid false expectations.


Is the quality of Montblanc counterfeits meanwhile so high that they are hard to recognise, and how helpfully does Montblanc act against plagiarisms?

On fountain pens counterfeits can still be well recognised by the bad nib quality; on ballpoints and Starwalkers the differences are significantly more subtle and partly only noticeable to the expert. Montblanc engages against product piracy and accepts hints on eBay fakes. The service area is rated mixedly: nib swaps and repairs can take several weeks; in individual cases statements about nib equipment are communicated contradictorily. Experience values differ strongly, which is why blanket judgements on service quality are precluded.


How high are the current list prices of the Montblanc Bohème Big Size Platinum and the small black/rose-gold variant with topaz?

The Bohème Big Size costs 495 euros, the small model with rose-gold trim and topaz 395 euros. The Big Size Platinum exists exclusively in a variant without stone in the clip; it is decidedly conceived as a men's model and, with extended nib, about as large as a 149. While the small Bohème models appeared in many variants, the Big Size remained restricted to the platinum trim, without yellow-gold, sterling or stainless-steel versions. For the Big Size a matching single leather case in black exists; the clip does not, by production reasons, necessarily stand exactly in line with the nib.


What are the Montblanc Scenium Artists Packaging Sets, and what background does their limitation have?

These are Scenium sets of ballpoint and fineliner in gift cases with cartoon motifs by Mordillo, each at about 179 euros per set and so around 15 euros above the calculated single price. Released on the themes 'Love', 'Friendship' and 'Thanks', they are intended to bring these terms back into consciousness. After the Mordillo sets followed a series with Jim Davis Garfield motifs on the same three themes. The boxes are the essential collector interest; the sets were time-limited and quickly sold out; later reordering via regular channels is generally not possible.


Is a Montblanc four-colour pen with the inscription 'Walzgold' on the cap an original?

Such a four-colour pen corresponds to a model made by Fendt for Montblanc in the 1960s and counts as genuine. 'Walzgold' (rolled gold) denotes a gold plating common at the time and is no indication of a counterfeit. For a sale, specialised collector forums, auction platforms or collector shows offer themselves. A prior assessment by an expert eases a realistic price estimate.


Are Montblanc Starwalker and Meisterstück with serial numbers starting with 'MBL' original writing instruments?

Only Montblanc knows the exact coding of the serial numbers; deviations from the 'two letters + seven digits' scheme do therefore not automatically mean a counterfeit. Indications like inscriptions 'Made in Germany Metal' in the clip and 'Box made in China' on the case bottom are usual on originals. If the serial numbers are engraved instead of embossed, this should, however, be checked more closely. On ballpoints authenticity check without inspection in a boutique is fundamentally more difficult than on fountain pens.


How safe is buying Montblanc writing instruments on eBay given professionally counterfeit auctions with stolen accounts?

Fake distribution has developed from easily recognisable China offers into professional auctions with stolen accounts, real pictures and faultless descriptions. Red alarm applies on payment via Western Union; even pure bank transfer without PayPal protection carries considerable risks. Even specialists cannot identify every auction safely as reputable or fake — even experienced collectors have already fallen for account theft. A collector database for serial-number-bound Limited Editions can help with comparison but does not replace critical examination of seller profile, communication and payment route.


How rare is a Pelikan 100 (not 100N) with grey-marbled binde, and where can it be professionally restored?

While the Pelikan 100N occasionally turns up in grey, the grey variant of the older 100 is significantly rarer and barely documented in standard literature. With nib damage and leaking feeds, restoration at specialised workshops like Tom Westerich (penboard.de), Lutz Fiebig or Werner is recommended. Repair costs can exceed market demand; sale to a collector or specialist dealer is usual as alternative. Professional reworking preserves collector value significantly better than own interventions.


Were there genuine Montblanc 146s with the nib of a 344, or is this tinker work?

In the 1980s Meisterstück nibs were monocolour and not bicolour with platinum coating — this information alone, however, allows no authenticity proof. The front section of a 146 never had the shape of a 246, so corresponding photos point to a 'bastard' from parts of various models. In some auctions pictures of various pieces were also mixed, which causes confusion. A 146 with 344 nib is not known as original delivery; caution is warranted when buying such 'marriages'.


Which writing-instrument shows are there in the Cologne area, and what focuses do such events have?

Information on the collector show in Cologne can be found at collectiblestars.de. Focus of the relevant shows lies typically on old or historical writing instruments; newer Limited Editions are rather rarely to be found there. Anyone looking for current collector editions is dependent on direct contacts to boutiques or specialised dealers. As a contact in northern Germany, additionally Axel's shop in the Bremen/Hamburg area is recommended.


Which Delrin variant of the CONID Bulkfiller (Flattop or Streamline) is preferable, and which basic data does the model have?

The Bulkfiller is offered in two versions of black brushed Delrin (POM): Flattop and Streamline, each produced in an edition of 100 pieces. Delrin is nearly unbreakable and lies pleasantly in the hand; the size corresponds to a Pelikan M800; the ink volume is about 2.5 ml and so considerably more than on the M800. The Streamline version has a modified titanium clip, a convex-shaped logo on the cap top and an ink window in the grip section. In the forum the Flattop version is mostly preferred; a final recommendation depends on individual preference.


Is a 'hole' or black dot in the clip of a Montblanc marker an original feature or a counterfeit hint?

On current models it is a black dot in the clip that distinguishes the marker within the LeGrand line from other writing instruments. The dot is only glued in and can fall out with frequent use. Older markers (e.g. with sticker 'W. Germany') did not yet have this dot, so its absence on old pieces is no authenticity problem. On overseas purchases shipping costs, customs and PayPal fees should additionally be included in the calculation to assess bargains realistically.


Are the partly several hundred euro 'moon prices' for the book 'The Montblanc Diary & Collectors Guide' by Jens Rösler justified?

The book counts as an indispensable standard work for diehard Montblanc collectors; the sale prices discussed in the forum are nonetheless perceived as significantly exaggerated. Such moon prices are detrimental to the seller's image without actually being achieved. Commercial suppliers who additionally take over foreign web content more or less verbatim come additionally under criticism. On eBay similar price excesses occur more frequently, e.g. on Montblanc POS trays given to dealers free of charge that are partly sold declared as leather — which would constitute fraud.


Are there various variants of the Montblanc model 31 with different barrel and nib versions?

Model 31 existed in different versions with two different nib shapes and matching front sections exchangeable among each other; additionally at least two further front-part variants exist. The trailing 'P' stands for 'Patronenfüllhalter' (cartridge pen) and marks the cartridge variant. The variety is considerable, so identical-looking pieces side by side can actually differ. For exact attribution, comparison with specialist literature and the gallery on Fountainpen.de is worthwhile.


How can a fountain pen with three-tone nib, metal piston mechanism and pressure-equalisation ribs without matching cap be identified as a Montblanc 149?

The combination of three-tone nib, metal piston mechanism and pressure-equalisation ribs points to a 149 not among the oldest. A 139 cap does not fit by shape; the cap should be screwable on completely. Missing model imprint on the turning knob and unusually flat grip-section edge are no compelling exclusion criteria, since Montblanc had different transitional versions. For restoration, experienced collectors are recommended who can swap or sell matching caps from their own holdings.


Which variants of the Montblanc 114 (Mozart) exist, and with which nibs are they delivered?

The 114 exists in the classic variant black/gold-plated and black/platinum (114P) and in numerous Solitaire versions like Ramses, Nikolai, Royal, Platinum and Solid Gold. Standard models are equipped with a 14-carat nib, Solitaires and special editions with an 18-carat nib. Nibs made in France deviate in carat convention. The 114 did not exist in the Artisan True Princess Collection and not in the Magic Beauty I edition; further variants comprise the 1141 Solitaire Doué with sterling silver cap and the 1142 Solitaire Doué Vermeil.


How do you store fountain pens (Pelikan M400/M600, Montblanc 146) during longer non-use — with water, ink or empty?

For writing instruments from the 1960s no special storage measures are necessary. On longer non-use the pen should be emptied and flushed to avoid drying out and ink residues. Document-proof or black inks are more problematic on extended standing time than water-soluble inks like Pelikan 4001 Blue. As long as ink flow is flawless on resumption, longer filled storage has generally caused no permanent damage.


How are an inherited Montblanc Safety Baby Email Rose and a Rouge et Noir to be assessed, and what can be done with them?

Both pieces count as very rare and highly interesting for collectors, even with not perfect preservation state. Discolourations and wear reduce collector value but do not make the pieces uninteresting, as long as the housing is intact. Recommended is to keep the pieces, before any sale have them assessed by a specialist and possibly cleaned. Only then can a realistic price be achieved; value and demand are generally constant or rising.


How is a Montblanc fountain pen to be assessed whose model designation cannot be researched?

A model that cannot be assigned is often a composite piece from components of various origin. In the concrete case the cap comes from a 234½, the body from a 344 or 342, so both parts are Montblanc originals but were not delivered in the same model. A corresponding model designation cannot therefore exist. For use as a writing instrument such a mix is nonetheless suitable; from a collector view, however, only as a parts donor.


Can the washed-out white Montblanc logo on the cap of an old 342G be refilled in a boutique?

Collectors confirm that the logo engraving was originally factory-filled in white or gold, so a restoration corresponds to the original state. Outpatient refilling is generally carried out via boutiques or specialised engravers, similar to name engravings. As a DIY solution the white 'Neocolor II Wax Oil' pencil by Caran d'Ache is recommended, also suitable for gold fills. The original originality is not impaired by it; decisive is clean execution.


Is a gold pen with the nib inscription 'Watermann' and hallmarks with lions actually a Waterman?

Hallmarks with lions point to manufacture in Great Britain; in connection with the nib inscription it is presumably a jeweller's work on Waterman base and not a direct factory production by Waterman. Such pieces are conceived as safety pens and are filled manually by unscrewing the nib; drawing up is not possible. Restoration is mostly not possible, since the gold cover fully encloses the mechanism and excludes opening. Sellable as pure collector's pieces they are nonetheless.


How high is the quality of Montblanc counterfeits on fountain pens and ballpoints — are they immediately recognisable as plagiarisms?

On fountain pens the quality difference is clearly obvious: already on first writing, scratching nibs, missing ink flow and weak workmanship strike. Ballpoint counterfeits are often constructively unstable, fall apart quickly, can only be reassembled by gluing, and the refills tear the paper rather than write. Even compared with high-quality watch counterfeits, the quality gap on writing instruments stays high. The raw materials look too light; mechanisms last only a few days; correspondingly fakes are quickly identifiable even without comparison with originals.


Which variants exist of the Montblanc Limited Edition Albert Einstein, and what properties does the matching ink have?

The Einstein edition is offered in three edition strengths (2, 99 and 3,000 pieces); cufflinks with space-curvature motif (around 350 euros) supplement the theme. Accompanying it, a grey ink appears that on writing shows a slight lilac tone and remains visibly on the skin compared with other Montblanc inks unusually long. Availability is initially uneven: individual pieces appear before the regular trade start on eBay, while boutiques and stationery dealers partly have not yet received display pieces or ink. Meaningful pictures can be found on Fountainpennetwork.


Why does the cap of a Montblanc 146 sit loosely after short carry in the case, and can the problem be remedied oneself?

Collectors name several causes: manufacturing tolerances on the thread, an accidentally swapped cap or worn thread teeth through daily screwing, occasionally also through too firm tightening by third parties. Between barrel and cap, in final inspection, no play should occur; an audible crunching with light wobbling indicates a no longer matching thread. Self-help (e.g. warming) is advised against, since the thread is anyway not used for slip mounting. Sending in to Montblanc service is recommended; in warranty cases the cap is generally completely exchanged.


How do you fill a Parker Vacumatic, and what distinguishes its mechanism from ink-sac or piston pens?

The Vacumatic has neither ink sac nor piston but works with a plunger and a diaphragm (rubber membrane) and an air tube in the barrel. On pressing the plunger air is displaced through the air tube; on letting it slide back, a vacuum arises that draws in the ink via the feed. Precondition is that nib and feed stand fully in the ink and any breather hole is covered when pumping so the vacuum can build up. The system was used by Parker from about the late 1930s onwards.


Are perfumed or scented inks (e.g. De Atramentis Davidoff Cool Water) suitable for high-quality fountain pens, and how long does the scent last?

The Jansen / De Atramentis scented inks count among collectors as unproblematic for fountain pens, since they flow cleanly and leave no deposits; tested were among others Waterman Charleston without anomalies. Recommended is to first try a new ink in a less valuable pen and, after first drawing up, return the contents to the bottle to observe the residue behaviour. In the bottle the ink scents clearly of the model perfume; on the pen itself less strongly. On good paper and in closed envelope the scent remains preserved for several days; on simple copy paper it dissipates rapidly. To consider is that scented inks partly continue to scent in the cap, and residues can be perceptible longer even after ink change.


Which problems does the McAfee SiteAdvisor cause when calling smaller websites, and which legal and technical implications does that have?

The SiteAdvisor only shows pages quickly that have been previously tested by McAfee; smaller homepages often do not load at all or only after several minutes, by which users are de facto denied access to untested content. In the forum it is pointed out that a blocking or delaying of content without consent can be legally problematic (reference to § 206 (2) StGB). Several posts see this as a foretaste of further-reaching concepts like fee-paying page releases or hardware-side programme control (keyword NGSCB / Fritz chip). The simplest remedy is uninstalling the SiteAdvisor; McAfee reacts after complaints and also offers phone support.


Why is Montblanc ink temporarily hard to deliver, and does the new ink formulation differ from the older version?

Delivery bottlenecks occur with other makers too (e.g. Pelikan Edelstein); concrete reasons are often not known to dealers, so only patience helps. The reformulated Montblanc inks in changed bottle form are not necessarily better or worse but seem more strongly saturated, by which flushing and cleaning take longer; an exchange of old remainder stocks is not worthwhile. Reports on flow behaviour contradict one another: some find Midnight Blue better-flowing than Blue-Black, others vice versa; the new violet ink counts as rather dry and tends to smear. Ink should be stored darkly, in any case not in direct sun, since colour tones can change or fade.


How do you recognise a counterfeit Montblanc 75th Anniversary Edition, and which steps are sensible after a wrong purchase on eBay?

The Anniversary Edition never existed in platinum-plated execution; further counterfeit features are an angular instead of round star, recessed cap rings in the black area and a housing of lacquered tin instead of resin. Such fakes are made in Hong Kong for a few euros. With a German seller one can act via buyer protection, a trademark complaint with Montblanc (service@montblanc.com or contact form) and, if necessary, lawyer or criminal complaint against the purchase; with foreign suppliers chances of success are small, so one should save time, nerves and further money. In future thorough research before purchase and a comparison with the counterfeit articles on Fountainpen.de are recommended.


Is a Montblanc Slimline-like pen with angular clip without star inlay actually a counterfeit?

At first glance the clip seems atypical due to its angular, cast-looking surface, which triggers suspicion. Nib, grip section and converter, however, show all features of an original, so it is not a counterfeit but the Montblanc Noblesse series III (not Slim Line or Noblesse Oblige). This model was produced around the year 2000; before 1991 Montblanc also covered the school and mid-price segment, which explains the unusual look. Caution with the grip section: it likes to break between thread and gold ring.


How can an unmarked, capless piston pen with 14K gold nib, lion's-head hallmark and blue ring and green spindle be assigned?

Clearly identifying the piece from the description is not possible. The construction (piston mechanism, sight window, feed with Pelikan-like longitudinal grooves) speaks for German post-war production from the 1950s; the 14K gold nib excludes a pure cheap article. It is recommended to bring the piece to a collector show (e.g. Ofenwerk Nuremberg) where several experts can assess it. The lion's-head hallmark is a usual gold-content stamp and does not necessarily come from Rupp/Heidelberg.


Where do you get replacement nibs for Rotring fountain pens (e.g. Initial)?

Rotring belongs to the Sanford group; the contact in Germany is Sanford GmbH, Schnackenburgallee 43, 22525 Hamburg, tel. +49 800 8 500 500, where the service centre for Parker, Waterman, Papermate and Rotring is based. Collectors report that on direct enquiry even individual nibs (especially for inexpensive models) were sent against invoice by post; otherwise sending in the pen is usual.


Why do current Montblanc advertising articles achieve sometimes very high prices on eBay, although they are regularly distributed as giveaways?

Unlike historical advertising pieces (display cases, grooved boards, old ink bottles, posters) that are rare and collector-worthy, on current giveaway and promotion articles it is rather about irrational enthusiast prices: Coca-Cola collectors behave similarly, as do lovers of old fountain pens. Collectors advise dealers not to throw away old advertising materials, since for nearly anything a buyer is found. Critically seen are excessive prices for anyway freely available current brochures (e.g. Kafka), since one gets them free in specialist trade. With own exhibitions, celluloid-containing vintage writing instruments should be stored light-protected; modern devices may by contrast lie without problems in lit display cases.


Does Montblanc offer factory tours for collectors in Hamburg?

Earlier there were regular factory tours, e.g. before the Pen Port in Hamburg, organised via the CAS. On direct enquiry with Montblanc it has meanwhile been communicated that there are no tours for the general public any more. As an alternative Pelikan offers corresponding factory tours.


What does the inscription 'Dauerfeder 2' on the nib of a Montblanc 342 mean, and is it an original Montblanc nib?

'Dauerfeder' is no Montblanc designation but was used on nibs of various non-brand makers like Aldor, Hanseat, Komteß, Prinzeß, Rusewe, Stella or Urania, in sizes 2, 4 or 12. The number typically indicates the nib size. Presumably the original nib of the 342 was, in a non-authorised repair, replaced by a cheaper foreign nib because no Montblanc nib was available or it was too expensive. Assessment requires a photo, since the gold colour alone allows no conclusion on gold alloy.


How do you best store a button-filler pen (e.g. Montblanc 222) of celluloid — with or without ink sac?

Subsequent fitting of an ink sac is unproblematic, provided the sac is afterwards not filled with ink but flushed with water after the writing test; ink is unsuitable for old writing instruments. More important than the sac itself is the state of the nib clamp: strongly oxidised clamps should be replaced, since they otherwise cause discolouration on the celluloid. If one has the ink sac fitted by a restorer, it should be agreed not to glue the grip section to the barrel again, so one can later look inside. The optimal storage of celluloid button fillers without ink sac takes place in a humidor.


Which Montblanc case fits a 144 if a Bohème case with zip is preferred, and which cases have dividers?

The normal Bohème case is only made for the shorter Bohème; a 144 does not fit, at most into the rarely seen Bohème Big Size case. Florence cases have no dividers; Sienna cases have dividers, which, however, are only about 5 cm long and do not reach the bottom, which can lead to scratch marks. As zip alternatives for a single writing instrument, Montblanc offers cases and leather sleeves with 15–16 cm length and the Ladystar case (16 cm). For several pens with zip Montblanc has nothing fitting; here collectors switch to makers like Golden Head from leather-goods trade.


What does the nib designation 'ST' on older Pelikan nibs mean, and is there an abbreviation for stub nibs?

ST stands for Steno and not for Stub; corresponding discussions can also be found on the Fountainpennetwork forum. For stub nibs no separate abbreviation exists, since stub forms historically corresponded to standard grinding before the rise of the ballpoint made today's usual ball nibs the standard. Steno nibs are not necessarily rare but achieve premiums on coveted models: at Montblanc, for example, a 32 with steno nib can cost around 100 euros instead of 60 euros, a 146 with ball nib rise from 200 to 600 euros; Pelikan prices vary similarly.


What were writing instruments with twisted glass nib used for, and how are they handled when writing?

These glass nibs are dip nibs: ink creeps along the spiral glass turns upward and is released downward when writing, so an astonishingly long writing per filling is possible. The ink is not filled into the barrel — a tight barrel is by design. The writing feel resembles a clip-on steel nib, is rather hard and unyielding but clean and better than a quill. They exist in many colour variants, partly also with celluloid holder and pop-on glass nibs; replacement nibs are today only difficult to obtain. Glass nibs are occasionally sold at the glassblower's.


Which writing-instrument makers still make their nibs themselves, and is that an important purchase criterion?

Many smaller and mid-size brands (e.g. Faber-Castell, several Italian makers, presumably also Delta) source nibs from specialised suppliers like Bock or Schmidt; that is no quality defect but uses their long-standing development and manufacturing experience. Even on Montblanc Limiteds the cooperation of the Bock specialists is rumoured. Often bought-in nib blanks are subsequently individually ground or adapted by the brand maker (e.g. on Astoria); Delta is said to still make its hard-rubber/ebonite feeds by hand. From a collector view, in-house manufacture is rarely purchase-decisive, as long as overall quality is right.

Related pages on fountainpen.de:
• Astoria — brand overview (fountainpen.de): https://www.fountainpen.de/astoria-en.htm


What does the lying J (or the letters D, E) on old Montblanc special nibs of 14K mean?

Since at Montblanc no original documentation from this time has survived, the meaning of the letters can today no longer be unambiguously clarified. In the 1920s several makers (possibly Kaweco, Soennecken) also offered J nibs to which certain writing properties were ascribed. A confusion with a reversed 1 for left-hander nibs does not exist; for left-handers these nibs are not designed.


What to do if a newly bought Montblanc 145 does not start reliably and ink flow is felt as too dry?

Often it is a matter of getting used to it — a pen often writes without problems after some time. If the problems persist, the pen should be sent via the specialist dealer or a boutique to Montblanc for repair; within warranty no costs usually apply; processing takes 2–3 weeks. Experimenting with various inks (also Montblanc itself) rarely brings lasting remedy; modern paper like Clairefontaine or Rhodia causes fewer problems than cheap college paper. Today's nibs no longer need to be broken in. Practically the report shows: after factory adjustment of ink flow, the 145 was reliable and without starting problems.


Why does ink collect on the grip section and in the cap of the Montblanc 146, and which repair options are there?

Possible causes are a leaking piston, hairline cracks in the grip section, pressure differences (aircraft, shocks) or simply ink residues in the cap — simply flushing and drying cap and feed often already eliminates the problem. In the concrete case, a hairline crack lay in the nib carrier between nib edge and thread; such cracks arise from the tension with which nib and feed sit in the ring. Own repair (gluing) is possible but risky, since on disassembly lamellae on the feed can break or the nib can be bent. Recommended is the factory repair at Montblanc; alternative contacts are Maxpens, Interpens or Penboard. In the forum a collector reports that a comprehensive factory repair (incl. barrel, cap, clip, cap top) cost only around 61 euros.


Why does the piston mechanism of a Montblanc 146 become stiff when the pen is only stored with distilled water?

Distilled water has a high surface tension and lubricates the piston worse, by which wall friction rises and the mechanism becomes stiff. Remedy is provided by a drop of detergent per about 100 ml of distilled water, which lowers surface tension by a factor of about 3.5; before resumption thorough flushing should follow. Lubrication with sewing-machine oil is expressly warned against — it harms the pen. Frequent flushing with tap water between every filling is regarded as too much; one should only clean if the pen makes problems. If stiffness returns, repair should again take place at Montblanc.


How do you recognise the nib width of a Montblanc 146 without sticker, since the engraved M does not denote a size but the brand name?

The M engraved on the nib stands for Montblanc and not for the line width; the actual nib width is communicated by the works only by sticker to the dealer. Without this sticker the determination is only possible under the loupe and with experience, with at most more extreme grinds (OB, OBB) being well distinguishable from M, B or BB. On eBay the stickers are often still present, so the search for an M nib in practice is feasible.


Who is the new owner of Montegrappa, after the brand no longer belongs to Richemont?

Richemont sold Montegrappa at the end of June 2009; the Italian Aquila family or the former owner company Elmo & Montegrappa S.p.A. has reacquired the shares; Richemont retains around 10 %. In Germany Aratrum GmbH (Hemslingen) takes over distribution and service and additionally runs brands like Kaweco, Tibaldi and Marlen. During the takeover phase, delivery delays and a temporarily unreachable web presence occurred; collectors report that Montegrappa goods temporarily disappeared from trade. Strategically Montegrappa focuses more strongly on limited editions and is since then with continuous growth, new product range (including watches) and prominent brand presence (ambassador Sylvester Stallone, appearance in The Expendables 2) again firmly on the German market.


Which practical solutions for storing a growing writing-instrument collection exist beyond the expensive original cases?

The original Montblanc collector boxes are high-quality but expensive; inexpensive leather cases (e.g. by Jürgen Kuhse or Penboard) hold up to 40 writing instruments, are space-saving, mobile and fit well in DIN A4 bank safe-deposit boxes. The Kaweco Cube by Blankenhorn takes 60 pens (24 visible) in a rotating glass/wood cube and counts as price-attractive but is not mobile. Custom drawer inserts at the carpenter (velvet-covered wooden grid) also offer a beautiful but location-bound solution. Further options are cases by Roberto Possar or display cases. Important is material choice: plasticisers in adhesives or linings can attack coatings, so materials should be carefully checked.


What current market value does the Montblanc Limited Edition Agatha Christie Vermeil with sapphires have, and where can auction prices be reliably researched?

The price depends strongly on condition; in mint condition with original packaging 1,200–1,300 euros were named. The Vermeil variant is equipped with blue sapphires; only the gold version limited to 4,810 pieces carries rubies, in distinction from the 30,000 standard edition in sterling silver with rubies. Reliable indications are provided by ended auctions national and international (especially eBay), with ultimately the current supply-demand state deciding. The market for such editions is dynamic; a sale at currently weak dollar is not currently recommended.

Related pages on fountainpen.de:
• Montblanc Writers Edition Agatha Christie (1993): https://www.fountainpen.de/writer-christie-en.htm


Where do you most sensibly buy a Montblanc pen as a gift, and is there price scope at various dealers?

Prices are factually uniform in Germany: dealers selling below the prescribed prices are no longer supplied; price lists on the internet are therefore not available. Discounts of 5–10 % are partly possible in specialist trade, mostly not before Christmas. On purchase in a Montblanc boutique a subsequent free nib swap is still possible for a while; at independent dealers only the statutory return right and a dealer warranty apply. Online purchase from unknown sources is advised against; the strategy 'give pen and exchange later' is not necessary, since the nib swap is offered anyway.


How can a Montblanc 252 be dated, safely cleaned, polished, and which materials were used?

All 252s have an ink window (typically blue on the younger variant); if it is not recognisable, this is mostly due to old, dried ink and dissolves after thorough flushing. The material is plastic, not celluloid — unlike the 142, 144, 146 and 149 of the 1950s. Cleaning is done with lukewarm water through repeated filling and emptying of the piston; build-up attempts or vinegar additives should be dispensed with. For polishing, Wenol or alternatively Displex (from mobile-phone shops) is suitable; gold platings on rings and clip must not be treated too strongly. The 252s have no serial number; they were intended as high-quality everyday-use devices.


What to do if a Cartier Pasha skips and does not write fluently, although it has already been cleaned in an ultrasonic bath?

Likely causes are a nib width unsuitable for the hand position or unsuitable paper; standard problems like skipping and starting problems are documented in the forum many times. Cartier offers no slant/oblique nibs: M and F nibs are round-ground and also usable for crook-writers; B nibs are flatter and unfavourable for such writers, because the nib then runs on an edge, scratches and ink flow breaks off. A nib specialist (e.g. Stift Leo) can regrind sharp edges. On the 149, an oblique nib is recommended if needed. A universally correct nib hold does not exist; one adjusts individually to each pen; ball nibs are thereby the least critical.


Where do you get inexpensive and visually appealing ink bottles, e.g. for the desk in the Stuttgart area?

As an alternative to the expensive Montblanc ink bottle, collectors recommend the travel inkwell of De Atramentis: tight thread, good design, but small capacity. For solid desk bottles of crystal a look at eBay auctions and pens.it is worthwhile; on eBay these are often used collector pieces. Concrete recommendations for the Stuttgart area were not added in the thread. Important is to check the closure type before purchase if the bottle is to be transported or only used for the desk.


Where do you get a used Montblanc Carrera in yellow/orange, does it exist as a piston pen, and is a repair worthwhile?

The Carrera existed only as a cartridge pen, not as a piston model; used examples change owner on eBay typically for 50–75 euros. Spare parts (e.g. the transition ring to the grip section) can only be obtained by butchering defective examples, since Montblanc discontinues spare-parts supply for non-Meisterstück models 10 years after end of production; an economically sensible repair is therefore hardly possible. Anyone seeking a functioning replacement waits for a defective Carrera with intact desired part on eBay. As inexpensive alternatives with good value, a Pelikan 605 (e.g. at Galeria Kaufhof around 130 euros) or a Lamy 2000 (e.g. via Regina Martini) are named.


Can the production year of a Montblanc Meisterstück be determined by general nib engravings and cap-ring lettering?

The engravings 4810 (height of Mont Blanc), 14 C and 585 are found since the 1930s on nearly all Montblanc gold nibs and provide no dating. The description with narrow silver band on the gold nib indicates a 149; since this is equipped with 14K nib, the piece probably dates from the early 1990s. For more concrete determination, comparison with the Meisterstück section on Fountainpen.de is recommended.


How do you get spare parts for a Montblanc 220 (especially the star inlay on the barrel end), does a modern converter fit, and does the model have collector value?

A single star inlay is practically not obtainable as a spare part; a restorer would have to scavenge a complete 220, which is uneconomical. Montblanc discontinues spare-parts supply for non-Meisterstück models 10 years after end of production and destroys the remainders, so sending in only costs postage. On the converter question: there is no prescribed standard converter — best try various piston converters at the dealer; one fits in experience. The black 220s have, due to lack of rarity, no collector value at present; they remain, however, good use pieces, qualitatively under pre-war and new productions.


Is it normal that on an Aurora pen ink collects in the cap and on opening the fingers turn blue?

Ink in the cap is possible across makers; Aurora counts overall as a very good brand. By construction, feeds with pronounced lamellae (e.g. on Montblanc) hold back excess ink better than models like Waterman Sérénité or Parker Duofold. Triggers are often shocks during carrying in the bag, pressure and temperature fluctuations (e.g. aircraft, winter between indoors and outdoors) and carrying with nib down; affected are different models depending on maker. Remedy is provided by regular cleaning of the cap, e.g. monthly; if the problem persists, a defect on the pen is likely.


What experiences exist with brown De Atramentis inks, and are red or black inks problematic for the fountain pen?

The De Atramentis ink Leonardo da Vinci in Terra di Sienna is praised as open, harmonious and shinier than Sepia; delivery via Dr. Jansen runs reliably. When cleaning a pen that contained Ochre Yellow, surprisingly neon-green water flows out — reported damages, however, do not exist; advisable is to use the colour only on converters emptied promptly and to clean immediately afterwards. With black inks starting problems are observed; blue inks flow more easily; concrete statements on red inks as particularly aggressive the forum posts could not confirm.


From what age do collectors typically start collecting fountain pens?

Entry ages range from about 8 (special-model cases) through 17–20 as a widespread span up to 25–26; age itself is, by collector opinion, largely irrelevant. Decisive are less biographical barriers than financial means and one's own aspiration, which may quite well include long-term goals like a Carnegie 4810 or a Jules Verne. Coveted Limited Editions are often quickly sold out and rise rapidly in price (Jules Verne from about 900 euros); new Writers Editions at 700 euros are felt as overpriced, so many young collectors expand to brands like Cartier, S.T. Dupont or inexpensive models like Waterman Phileas.


What characterises the Montblanc Donation Pen Sir Georg Solti as successor to the Karajan model?

The Donation Pen 2005 honours Sir Georg Solti as the fourth artist of the Donation line, an initiative for cultural support: per fountain pen sold, 20 euros, per ballpoint 10 euros flow into international classical-music projects. Solti, born 1912 in Budapest, was one of the most important conductors of the 20th century. Visually the writing instrument counts as plain and avant-garde, without return to yellow-gold fittings. Since the Karajan edition can run out, securing remainders timely via Scription or specialist trade is recommended. Concrete dimensions, weight or sales price of the Solti were not conclusively named in the thread.


Which arguments speak in comparing Montblanc Meisterstück 145 and 146 (practicability, haptics, balance, writing behaviour)?

Material, nib quality and feed are comparable on both models, so objectively no clear quality differences exist; the choice depends above all on the writer's hand. The 146 holds more ink (around a writing day), is gladly handled without cap posted and is thereby regarded as very balanced; the 145 is more compact and better suited for shirt or briefcase, while the 146 counts as a typical desk pen. Recommended is a test in specialist trade with one's own paper, since the grip section of the 145 seems to some too thin, that of the 146 to others too thick. Pragmatically, acquisition of both models is also advised — supplemented with the 149 for signatures.

Related pages on fountainpen.de:
• Montblanc Meisterstück 145 (Classique): https://www.fountainpen.de/c-montblanc-meisterstueck-145-en.htm


Which contents and what aspiration does the book 'KAWECO – Gutberlet crossing Kaweco' on the history of the Kaweco brand have?

The book documents on around 192 pages in landscape format (about 30.3 × 21.7 cm) the Kaweco history from founding to the present, bilingually German and English. Known collectors from the German-language forum were involved as advisors; many information and photos so far only circulating in collector circles are first bundled. Available it is at Mostwanted Pens. Anyone expecting a complete reference work of all Kaweco models ever produced will, however, not be fully served.


Can individual nibs (M or B) for a Montblanc 146 be bought separately and exchanged oneself?

Montblanc does not sell individual nibs, since they could otherwise be mounted on counterfeits; a own nib swap also fails due to missing special tools and the special sealing material without which the pen leaks. An individually charged nib would, on top, be more expensive than complete sending in to nib change at the works. The recommended way is to send the pen via an authorised Montblanc specialist dealer for a factory change; a swap among collectors (BB against B, F against M) remains, without workshop solution, prone to sealing problems.


How long does the scent of a scented ink (e.g. by Jansen or Montblanc Love Letters) remain on the written letter?

Scented inks contain essential oils (predominantly terpenes) added in low dose, since they otherwise attack the plastic (e.g. Plexiglas) of the pen or resinify. The scent dissipates over time differently but persists in closed containers or envelopes longer; a letter written and sent with it scents perceptibly at the recipient. The Dornfelder red-wine ink by Dr. Jansen is expressly suitable for common fountain pens, but critical regarding light fastness, since the contained anthocyanins darken oxidatively in the air. The maker achieves light fastness via corresponding ink recipe.


Which brand is behind an unmarked vintage writing instrument that bears an embossed M on the cap or clip end?

It is highly likely a Matador, a former German writing-instrument brand. Original Matador nibs carry the inscription 14K 585 Matador and an M in the circle; the M mark is found, depending on model, on the cap top or in the clip end. Qualitatively Matador counts as average but is valued for its beautiful celluloid colours.


How do you bend a bent clip of a Montblanc ballpoint (e.g. 164) straight again?

Practical is to unscrew the cap top and remove the clip; only when removed can it be evenly brought back into shape. Then the cap top is simply screwed back on. Anyone not wanting to make the intervention themselves drops off the pen at a Montblanc boutique. Concrete costs for a complete clip or rear-end exchange were not named in the thread.


How does a beginner fill an old Montblanc No. 24, and which ink or cartridge is suitable?

The Montblanc 24 is a piston pen; conversion to cartridges is not possible but is also not necessary, since the ink reservoir is larger than commercial cartridges. Filling is done with any fountain-pen-suitable ink (in no case Indian ink): dip nib into the ink bottle, turn cone at the barrel end counter-clockwise downward (air escapes), then turn clockwise back until the piston is up (ink is sucked in), pull the nib out and wipe with a cloth. For practice, water is recommended at first, to learn the filling volume. Helpful guides can be found on the Montblanc website and in suitable YouTube videos.


Is a sales price of 25,000 USD for a factory-sealed Montblanc Skeleton 333 appropriate?

The Skeleton 333 is sold out worldwide and counts as one of the outstanding Montblanc editions, but 25,000 USD is in the forum rated as significantly excessive. The original sales price was around 7,500 euros for the pen plus about 3,500 euros for the matching watch. Concrete collector offers in the same discussion lie around 12,500 euros in mint condition with full Montblanc warranty and original papers, without US import taxes. As alternative, the newer Pompidou Skeleton is named; current market prices should be compared via ended international auctions.


How can the production year of an inherited Montblanc Meisterstück No. 35 with 18-carat gold nib be determined?

The Meisterstück No. 35 was presumably produced from the late 1920s to mid-1930s. An important indicator is the filling type: if the model has a small lever in the middle of the barrel, that indicates dating to the late 1920s; without lever and with a turn-retractable nib, everything speaks for the 1930s. Such models were originally filled with a pipette, which today can also be elegantly done with a small syringe. For a more precise classification, posting a photo on the forum is recommended.


Where do you find information on Montblanc Stylographic Pens (drawing and Indian-ink pens, e.g. model 432), and how do you store such vintage models?

Information on Montblanc stylo models is rare, but a contact is collector pages like maxpens.de, although individual model attributions there are to be taken with caution because front parts are sometimes exchanged and designations are wrong. Key source is the Montblanc Diary, helping in identification. If the stylo has a cork-seal filling mechanism, it should always be stored filled with distilled water so the cork does not dry out and become brittle.


How did the Onoto fountain pen of Sir Thomas Gibson-Carmichael come back into use after 70 years' watery grave?

In April 1917 the ocean liner SS Medina, a former royal yacht converted into a passenger ship, left Sydney with 417 passengers and crew bound for London via Bombay, Port Said and Plymouth. On board was also a valuable private collection of the British diplomat Sir Thomas Gibson-Carmichael, former governor of Madras and Bengal, and his wife Lady Mary Gibson-Carmichael. The family left the ship in Port Said and travelled on with HMS Sheffield, with most of their around 80 pieces of luggage staying on board the Medina. On 28 April 1917 the unarmed Medina was, three miles off the southern English headland Start Point, torpedoed without warning by the German submarine UB 31. Through the explosion of the torpedo in the engine room, the fourth engineer and five engine men died; all other persons reached the harbours of Dartmouth and Brixham in lifeboats. In the 1970s and 1980s, in several salvage operations, extensive finds were recovered, including oriental paintings, perfume flacons, Japanese porcelain, Indian brass ware, Australian gemstones, ancient Egyptian pearl jewellery, Assyrian cuneiform tablets, a coin catalogue of Sotheby's auction house and still readable letters from Lord Kitchener and Earl Rosebery. Sir Carmichael's personal Onoto Plunger Filler was also recovered. At a later auction the newly founded firm The Onoto Pen Company Limited acquired the writing instrument for its company collection. The pen was given to the well-known restorer Laurence Oldfield for assessment, who established that the Onoto was in excellent condition and the 14-carat nib too had hardly suffered damage. Only seals, piston and piston rod had to be replaced because of corrosion with original parts from donor pens. After reassembly and polishing, the Onoto wrote flawlessly again and is today regularly used by the firm's directorate.


How can a deteriorated writing behaviour of the nib after a Montblanc repair be remedied?

Montblanc grants on its own repairs six months' liability for defects; within this period one should immediately complain; afterwards the service flat fee applies again. Cause of a hard script is often a too narrow nib slit, e.g. because on reinserting the nib the feed was pressed together. Here professional setting of the nib helps, which most boutiques do not perform themselves but pass on to specialised nib workshops. A correctly set nib already brings ink onto the paper without writing pressure; more pressure would then overstrain the feed. Collectors report that setting is an experience-dependent intervention depending on the user's typical writing pressure.


Which Montblanc model from the 1970s with longitudinal guilloché surface is at hand, and how are Carrera models to be classified?

The model with thread guilloché is a Montblanc Noblesse I in platinum-plated execution, originally with rhodium-plated steel or white-gold nib. In 1980/81, while keeping the model number, the change to the Noblesse II followed, which is why Montblanc partly states the production time extendedly. A white-gold nib is unusual in this line; mostly a rhodium-plated gold nib is present. The Carrera line was also made in the 1970s, typically had only a steel nib, was at the time very inexpensive (the three-piece set barely above 50 DM) and is today classified as inexpensive collector ware.


What does a non-closing gap on the turning knob of a Montblanc Meisterstück No. 14 mean, and how can it be remedied?

An open gap on the turning knob is not normal and mostly indicates a torn spindle or an over-turned or pulled-out mechanism. A repair requires special tools for disassembly; without these one rather causes additional damage. Such tools are made by some northern German professional restorers as replicas; with some skill an own tool with matching diameter can also be made. As an expert in southern Germany, Sandro Rudolf (Dr.Ink) near Heidelberg is recommended.


Are there official screen wallpapers around Montblanc?

Official Montblanc wallpapers do not exist; available are only Montblanc screensavers on CD that can be obtained via Montblanc specialist dealers. Collectors have put together their own desktop wallpapers and slideshows from existing product photos (e.g. from fountainpen.de), e.g. with image-editing programs like Photoshop. Own shots of individual writing instruments like the Meisterstück 169 Leonardo Sketch Pen are also used for this purpose.


What is known about the Montblanc Writers Edition 2013 Honoré de Balzac?

The Writers Edition 2013 is dedicated to Honoré de Balzac and, corresponding to the corpulent stature of the author, conspicuously voluminously designed. First pictures appeared early in the duty-free shop assortment (Heinemann Frankfurt); the price range was between around 630 and 810 euros for the various writing-instrument variants. Collectors judge the model as very special and agree that a final assessment is only possible on direct view in the boutique.


How is the nib designation MO or OM on Montblanc nibs of the 1950s for left-handers to be interpreted?

On classic lettering: if the O stands left of the nib width (e.g. OM), it is a left-bevelled nib; if the O stands right (MO), it is right-bevelled. Left-bevelled nibs were in practice primarily intended for right-handers with certain writing posture; the terms left- and right-hander nibs are, however, often used inconsistently in advertising and packaging, leading e.g. on a Sheaffer calligraphy pen to contradictory statements. Left-handers cope in practice with both MO and OM nibs, depending on individual writing posture.


What is the SuperCleaner SC21 in Montblanc inks, and what does it do?

SC21 is a cleaning additive blended in by Montblanc that ensures the ink crusts the feed and piston less strongly than other inks. By that, converters and pens can be flushed and cleaned more easily. Comparable additives partly exist in other inks too, but Montblanc explicitly emphasises this cleaning effect as a product feature.


How do collectors rate the younger Pelikan Limited Editions like the Blue Planet?

The younger Pelikan Limited Editions, including the Blue Planet, are felt by many collectors as taking getting used to and design-wise too similar to the Hercules. Classics like Gaudi or Daedalus-Icarus count as more successful and are partly still available via stocks, while newer models are deliberately no longer taken into stock by dealers. Pelikan finds it harder than Montblanc in distributing the Limiteds internationally. Criticised are above all the high prices, often regarded as excessive in relation to what is offered; some older LEs like Pyramids of Giza or Hercules find approval, however.


What was the reason for the one-day outage of fountainpen.de?

The outage was caused by a so-called flooding attack: from numerous IP addresses non-existent files were called millions of times, which overloaded the web space. Such attacks can hardly be repelled in the short term; the provider blocked the most active IP addresses, after which traffic slowly normalised. Through the attack the operator's free quota was exceeded, which caused additional costs. Within the forum community a donation option was discussed to support the admin's effort.


What is known about the UNICEF special edition of the Montblanc 149?

Within a UNICEF donation campaign three different special editions of the Montblanc 149 were released, designed by André Putman, Helmut Jahn and Tom Sachs. Each of the three editions is limited to 4,810 pieces. They are factually regular 149s delivered, however, in specially designed boxes; the writing instruments themselves carry no limitation marks, which meets with mixed echo among collectors. The boxes appeared first in French Montblanc boutiques.


What is the book 'Der Füllfederhalter des Grauens' about, and in which publisher did it appear?

'Der Füllfederhalter des Grauens', edited by Jörg Sprave, appeared from Dr. Ronald Henss Verlag under ISBN 978-3-939937-05-0 as a paperback with about 148 pages. The book arose from a project of writing-enthusiastic participants of a short-story forum and gathers 14 stories around the fountain pen. The thematic starting point is the thought that with a fountain pen not only entire books are written but also signatures are made with which wars are declared, judgements pronounced, wills written or weapon and drug-money transfers initiated, by which the pen becomes a tool of power. The short stories play in different times and plot situations and range stylistically from humour and black humour through tragedy to horror and chills. To be highlighted is the variety of writing styles and the different ideas with which the common motif of a fountain pen is varied. The publisher offers reading samples of the title on its website.


Which literature and sources explain construction and function of a fountain pen?

As a basic work the volume 'Fountain Pens, Repair and Restoration' by Frank Dubiel is recommended, available via eBay or Penboard.de. Supplementary online sources like maxpens.de with a disassembly depiction of the 146, the OMAS guide for piston pens and penexchange.de offer detailed information on construction, components and function. Cautious own disassembly of individual models (e.g. a Bohème with glued thread sleeve) grants additional insights but is, due to partly very fine threads and adhesive joints, associated with risk.


Which tips are there for photographing fountain pens with a DSLR?

Decisive is not primarily the camera model but sufficient and above all indirect lighting. Recommended are daylight lamps that produce diffuse light and avoid hard shadows and strong gleam points on metal and lacquer surfaces. A built-in flash is mostly too hard and should be avoided; halogen lamps or daylight work better. As underground and background, white paper is suitable, also arranged laterally as an improvised lightbox. Even compact cameras with macro mode deliver usable results, so lighting remains the essential factor.


How is the Montblanc Meisterstück Le Petit Prince II edition designed?

The second Petit Prince edition comes on the market in April. The standard version in dark-brown resin counts as rather plain, without engravings, with a sheep on the nib and without aviator motif, which causes disappointment to some collectors. Doué and Solitaire versions are more elaborately designed, with wave pattern on metal (Doué) or leather (Solitaire), although the Solitaires are partly felt as too heavy for longer writing. The ink appears in dark brown; added is a matching brown notebook in 146 format. Prices lie at the level of the first edition.


Which ingredients does the Montblanc Blue-Black iron-gall ink contain?

It is a classic iron-gall ink in which iron(II) salt is initially present, oxidising through atmospheric oxygen to iron(III) and forming with tannic acids the lasting dark colour tone. Detailed explanations are provided by the Wikipedia entries on ink and iron-gall ink and chemical specialist pages. Phenol as preservative is today, for toxicological reasons, unusual and presumably no longer contained; the use would in any case be subject to declaration under the Hazardous Substances Ordinance. More likely are modern, less toxic preservatives like salicylic-acid derivatives; an exact composition Montblanc gives on enquiry.


What variants exist of the Montblanc 75 Years of Passion and Soul Anniversary Edition, and how should value and counterfeit risk be assessed?

The 75 Years edition comprises four variants, including skeleton models and various white-gold writing instruments as well as a 146 Le Grand as a Special Anniversary Edition (1999) with a characteristic ring on the cap. The individual editions differ considerably in features and value; an overview is provided at fountainpen.de/anniversary.htm. Current collector prices can best be determined via the closing prices of completed eBay auctions; former retail prices are no longer officially published. Guidance on identifying Meisterstück counterfeits can be found at fountainpen.de/fakes.htm.


What does the Montblanc Florence etui cost and is it still available?

The Florence etuis were last priced at 150 euros for the one-pen and 160 euros for the two- to three-pen variant. They are no longer in Montblanc's official line-up and are only available through old dealer stock. Many find the successor Siena too small, since larger Limited or Writers Editions like the Dickens or a 149 do not fit. The remaining alternative is then the Oblong etui.


What is the small plastic part with two tongues that fell out of a fountain pen's cap after a fall?

It is not merely a transport safety part but a functional inner-cap cover that prevents the feed from drying out. If the cover is damaged or missing, the fountain pen should be sent in for repair, since Montblanc does not release spare parts in order to prevent assemblies cobbled together from original parts. On some models like the StarWalker the part is sometimes declared as merely a design element, because the model is operated with cartridges; on classic piston fillers, however, it is functionally necessary. Besides direct shipping, private workshops also offer repairs.


What is the name of a slim Montblanc fountain pen from the 1980s with a polished centre section?

The fountain pen described is unmistakably a Montblanc Slim Line. In the English-speaking world, the Slim Line range is often mistakenly assigned to the Noblesse series, which stems from a lack of familiarity with the model history. Characteristic is the polished decorative surface on the centre section, which consists not of a separate ring but of the polished surface of the barrel itself. Detailed model overviews can be found in the vintage section of fountainpen.de.


How should one deal with eBay listings of counterfeit Montblanc writing instruments (StarWalker, 75 Years of Passion and Soul)?

A direct report to eBay does little, because only the trademark holder can have auctions stopped there; it is more effective to alert Montblanc itself to the counterfeits. Directly addressing the sellers often has no effect, since many are either uncooperative or do not themselves recognize that the items are counterfeits. The collector community discusses a more consistent banning of relevant sellers by eBay, but this is not yet enforceable. Collectors therefore exchange typical fake characteristics among themselves to protect buyers.


What is the Collegium Ars Scribendi (CAS), and what role does it play for Pelikan collectors of the Originals of their Time series?

The Collegium Ars Scribendi (CAS) is a collectors' association founded in 1996 around high-quality writing instruments, whose members receive preferred access to special editions and joint edition sets. Information about the association can be found at cas1996.de. The Pelikan Originals of their Time series comprises several models issued in parallel (1931 with 18-carat gold band, 1935 in green and blue celluloid, 1931 in white gold doublé, 1931 with Toledo band) with different limitations, which can especially be collected as a set with identical edition numbers.


How does one change the ink in a fountain pen when several ink colours are to be used?

Collectors pursue different strategies: some permanently reserve individual fountain pens for one colour, others switch as needed. When changing, Montblanc recommends thorough rinsing with water, especially when switching between very different colours. Cartridge users can also write the old cartridge empty and insert the new one, but must then accept a brief phase of mixed colour until only the new ink flows. Royal blue is considered unproblematic because it hardly dries out even with infrequent use.


Where can one find used vintage Montblancs in Germany, especially from before 1950?

Regular retail shops with vintage Montblancs practically do not exist in Germany. The best source for collectors is pen shows, especially the Pen Port Hamburg (in October), at which numerous dealers offer historical Montblanc models. Information can be found at marktundkultur.de. Anyone in Munich should therefore consider the trip to Hamburg in order to find pre-war models.


What did the Montblanc ostrich-leather collection for the 75-year edition (1999) originally cost, and which pieces did it include?

The ostrich-leather Anniversary collection comprised at least a notepad, a wallet, a timer, and two similar bag variants (one with two document compartments, one undivided). Owing to the high material quality and limitation, the pieces are sought-after today; on eBay, bags fetched prices of around 750 euros. The former original retail prices are not publicly documented and can in part only be traced via collectors with original receipts. Current market prices can best be assessed via the closing prices of relevant auctions.


What is known about the Montblanc StarWalker Special Edition for the 100th anniversary of the company's founding?

The StarWalker Special Edition for the 100th founding year was officially launched in April; the fountain pen was to retail at 495 euros, the ballpoint at 395 euros. However, the first pieces had already appeared on eBay in advance at significantly inflated prices. The design polarises the collector scene: some find it cheap-looking, others appreciate the line and deliberately collect various StarWalker variants such as the RubberLine. Overall, the 100-year anniversary edition is visually placed behind the 75-year edition, whose 1924 and 75 limiteds are regarded as more convincing in design.


What experiences exist with Lamy ink regarding ink flow, and should inks of different makers be mixed?

Lamy ink is generally regarded as reliable, but is in experience somewhat thinner than Pelikan or Montblanc. Reports of failing ink flow, where the converter has to be turned a little, are known with some fountain pen / feed combinations; Pelikan 4001 generally does not show such behaviour. Different ink brands should not be mixed, since chemical reactions and flocculation can occur. Comparative measurements of viscosity and surface tension of common branded inks provide insight.


What causes blue fingers when writing with a Montblanc 146 or 149, and does the problem also occur with current models?

Current Montblanc 146 and 149 usually do not show the problem of blue fingers. With older models, especially from the 1980s and 1990s, a leaking grip section or feed can be responsible; a repair by the dealer sometimes brings only short-term improvement. The causes are varied (microscopic cracks, aged seals, unsuitable ink). 50s models are considered more pleasant by heavy writers, but are mostly more expensive than the current versions.


How are various vintage Montblanc models (including 138, 146, safety pens, No. 2 lever fillers) to be classified, and should they be restored?

The pieces mentioned are partly very rare vintage models; a No. 2 lever filler is regarded as a particular highlight. Hard-rubber pens and old safety pens are basically still usable for writing, but are too precious for daily use. Restorations such as fitting new seals are possible, but not mandatory; many collectors deliberately leave old writing instruments their patina and intervene only minimally. Loose cap rings on a 146 do not necessarily have to be tightened; interventions should be restrained to preserve originality.


Where can one find information on an old Kaweco Colleg (model 55A SM, around 1930)?

A comprehensive source of information on Kaweco models is the publication on gutberlet.com (KAWECO_history). For direct exchange with specialists and viewing of comparable pieces, a visit to the Hamburg collectors' fair is recommended, where experienced Kaweco connoisseurs are present. In addition, special CDs with model overviews exist for further research.


Does the Montblanc 168 Fineliner Classique exist, and what distinguishes a fineliner from a rollerball?

The Montblanc 168 Fineliner Classique has been on the market for about two years, both as the 168 and the P168, and differs externally from the rollerball only by a small black dot on the clip. Technically the fineliner has a spring-loaded writing tip (spring mechanism at the tip) that writes similarly to a felt-tip pen, while the rollerball works with a rolling ball mechanism on a liquid-ink refill. The fineliner thus writes harder and less wet, the rollerball softer and with stronger ink delivery.


Is there an original Montblanc model for a Noblesse-like ballpoint pen of Chinese production?

The writing instrument from Shenzhen is a fantasy product that imitates the look of a Montblanc Noblesse without being a licensed product. Genuine originals with identical form are not known; similar, likewise unauthorised variants exist in gold and gold/silver versions. Interesting is the question of the refill, since Parker-system refills with a subsequent Montblanc imprint are often used. The price difference compared to an original is typically a factor of around 50.


What is the straight line that remains visible in the ink window of a Montblanc 146 when the piston is screwed in?

The straight line is an original wall transition, that is, the material-induced change from the transparent ink window to the black area of the barrel. At this point the piston also strikes in its uppermost position. It is thus neither an ink residue nor a seal, but a structurally intended feature of such barrels; comparable pieces are found in many collections.


What are the special features of the Montblanc models No. 31, 32 and 34, and are counterfeits known?

The models No. 31, 32 and 34 are similar to the 43 and have so far hardly been covered on the main fountainpen.de pages; collectors are dependent here on contributions from other owners with photos. Counterfeits of these specific models are not known; with other vintage Montblancs (e.g. MonteRosa) fakes can usually be recognised by the nib. Montblanc Blue-Black ink is generally considered unproblematic; regular cleaning with filtered water after emptying the piston is sufficient, since the additive contained in the ink counteracts the more aggressive effects of iron-gall ink.


How old is a green-black marbled Reform fountain pen with cartridge filling?

A cartridge-capable Reform fountain pen cannot date from the 1950s, since cartridges only became standard later; the model is therefore to be classified as later. For more precise dating and model identification, an enquiry to specialised dealers like penexchange.de is recommended. A not quite fitting cartridge type indicates manufacturer-specific cartridge formats, which may need to be checked.


From what period does a Montblanc Meisterstück 12 and the matching ballpoint date, and can one obtain a certificate of authenticity?

The Meisterstück 12 was produced between 1960 and 1970, the matching ballpoint between 1961 and 1970. Both writing instruments are easy to maintain and were made in larger numbers, hence not particularly rare. Montblanc generally does not issue certificates of authenticity for such models, which is also unusual. The 12s and 14s of the 1960s usually have an 18-carat gold nib whose hallmark only becomes visible after disassembly; the 22s and 24s, on the other hand, had 14-carat gold nibs.


How has the market value of the Montblanc Writers Edition Franz Kafka developed, and is the fountain pen available individually from the set?

The Kafka fountain pen was originally offered for around 650 euros; current collector prices are about 800 euros, corresponding to a moderate increase in value of around 150 euros over seven years. Writers Editions are generally delivered in special book packaging. Acquiring the fountain pen individually from the three-piece set is officially not provided for; boutiques and dealers usually only sell the complete set. Through collectors or dealer relationships, individual pieces can occasionally be obtained by passing on the unwanted parts within the collector community.


Is it worth buying a new Montblanc Leonardo Da Vinci for 2,500 euros with a view to a possible increase in value?

Increases in value with Montblanc Limited Editions are not guaranteed; even experienced collectors have had luck and losses over 20 years. Individual pieces offered on eBay beyond 5,000 euros do not necessarily reflect actual sales prices. It is recommended to look at actually realised closing prices of completed auctions before any purchase decision and not to rush into anything. A purchase should be made primarily out of collector interest, not as a pure investment.


What distinguishes the Graf von Faber-Castell Pen of the Year 2004, and how are the amber rings to be assessed?

The Pen of the Year 2004 is the third limited fountain pen of the series and has a platinum-plated barrel with five amber rings over translucent brass, an amber cabochon in the cap top and an 18-carat bicolour gold nib. With the amber colour there are strong natural variations: very light, almost milky-white amber is often used, while darker, yellowish stones are regarded as particularly noble; the customer generally has no influence on this. The retail price was around 2,200 euros. Predecessors were the olive-wood pen of 1991 (230th company anniversary) and the snakewood Pen of the Year 2003.


Is a fountain pen with retractable nib and Montblanc stars an original?

The writing instrument offered is definitely not a Montblanc product but a tinkerer's piece on which stars have subsequently been mounted. A retractable nib in this form does not exist in the Montblanc model range. One should not be unsettled by such offers; an expert assessment in the forum helps to reliably identify such counterfeits.


Does Montblanc offer special left-handed nibs?

Special left-handed nibs are no longer made by Montblanc since the 1950s. Left-handers can however use the regular nib widths from EF, F, M, B to BB without any problem, since most modern nibs are anyway designed in such a way that they function regardless of writing posture. Anyone wanting a particularly tuned nib can specifically search for obliquely ground nibs from older stock or have an individual adjustment carried out by a nib specialist.


Will a blue Montblanc StarWalker appear, and is the StarWalker converter-compatible?

A blue StarWalker with a similar surface to the Jules Verne was announced; the launch has, however, been postponed indefinitely because the existing StarWalker variants are selling successfully. The StarWalker is officially not designed for converter operation and is constructed accordingly; matching Rotring converters do work mechanically, but writing problems are said to occur during permanent operation with a converter. Collectors also complain that the StarWalker is too thin, light and small for their taste; an attractively designed blue StarWalker would be a buying incentive for many.


Where can one obtain spare parts, in particular clip springs, for the old Montblanc PIX 172 propelling pencil?

Replacement clip springs and similar small parts for the PIX 172 are officially not available from Montblanc, since Montblanc generally does not release spare parts. Collectors swap or sell such parts from their stock or scrap damaged pencils as parts donors. Important to know: the narrow longitudinal slot in the metal tip area of old pencils is structurally present and not a defect. A hairline crack in the black plastic body, especially at the transition to the metal tip, is, on the other hand, a real damage and reduces the collector value.


What is a Montblanc LeGrand 146 with transparent body, and which editions exist?

A 146 with a transparent body is either a Skeleton Edition (with skeletonised metal surface and translucent background) or a demonstrator (demo fountain pen). Demonstrators were originally produced for training and demonstration purposes in boutiques and are only available in very limited numbers, accordingly sought-after and expensive. They differ from the regular model only by the transparent body; all other components (nib, mechanism, cap) are original Montblanc. An overview of the Skeleton Editions can be found at fountainpen.de/skeleton.htm.


Which brand and which manufacturer are behind the DUROLL fountain pen, which resembles a Parker Duofold of the 1920s?

DUROLL is a Parker Duofold licensed replica, comparable to numerous similar models that were produced in the 1920s and 1930s in Germany, England and Italy. In Germany, for example, Osmia in Heidelberg held a corresponding licence. Research has shown that DUROLL was manufactured under the FABULA brand by the company AURA GmbH in Munich. Munich was at that time a centre for several smaller fountain pen manufacturers.


Is a white Montblanc Noblesse offered on eBay genuine, and is the Noblesse series still produced?

After comparison with the seller's offer, the piece offered is a Montblanc Noblesse Oblige, whose last regular retail price was 265 euros; in the 2004 clearance the models were sold off for around 130 to 135 euros. The Noblesse Oblige is no longer in the current range. Different arrangements of the 585 and 14 ct hallmarks on the nib are not in themselves a sign of forgery, but should in case of doubt be compared with further original features.


Is a set of Coronation writing instruments in red, white and blue offered on eBay an authentic historical piece?

The offer appears repeatedly and is classified by experienced collectors as doubtful, especially because the modern Cartier box included does not match the supposed historical provenance. Comparable authentic Coronation sets from 1953 (e.g. listed at fountainpenemporium.com) show the colours red-white-blue in reference to the Union Jack. A bargain price of around 200 euros would only be justified if authenticity is beyond doubt; the make-up of the specific offer rather suggests scepticism.


How does one deal with an S.T. Dupont fountain pen in which dried ink has caused longer storage problems?

With ink that has not dried for too long, thorough rinsing under running water helps, possibly soaking overnight in lukewarm water. More practical in the long run is the use of a piston converter instead of cartridges: with this, bottled ink can be used, the ink level is visible, and cleaning and ink changes are much easier. Before longer storage phases, the fountain pen should generally be emptied and cleaned to avoid drying out in the feed.


Can the nib width of a Montblanc fountain pen be recognised from the engravings, e.g. when buying on eBay?

Collectors report that a layperson can hardly reliably determine the nib width from photos alone. There are indeed engravings on the nib, but these usually do not provide information about the nib width. It is therefore recommended to buy from specialist retailers, where one can extensively test-write the fountain pen with one's own paper, or from eBay sellers whose information about the nib width is demonstrably reliable. Detail photos can, as a fallback, be compared with the examples on the Fountainpen.de page on nib widths.


What are the causes of a piston mechanism in Montblanc fountain pens that becomes stiff over time, and how can this be remedied?

With piston fillers, ink residues, dried-out seals or limescale deposits can make the piston stiff over time. Cleaning with distilled or deionised water is partly viewed critically; some collectors recommend normal tap water or a brief bath in an ultrasonic cleaner. Inks used should be water-soluble where possible, since non-water-soluble inks can leave residues inside the piston. If cleaning does not help, servicing by the manufacturer or a specialist (e.g. Horst Schrage / maxpens) is sensible, since the seal or piston has to be replaced.


How can a small hole on a Pelikan nib be recognised, and which Pelikan Souverän is recommended for a new purchase?

The model described is likely to be the grey marbled M200; replacement nibs for this are easily available from specialist retailers or from specialists like Rolf Thiel (missing-pen). Small worn spots on the nib usually arise mechanically, e.g. from frequent use with a steel ruler; a localised rust spot is regarded as very unusual. Among the Souveräns, M405, M605, M625 and M805 differ mainly in size and price, with the M405 being too small for many, while the M805 is very well manageable. Since the nibs are hand-ground, an extensive test write in the shop with one's own paper is strongly recommended.


How does a considerable amount of dried ink end up accumulating in the cap of an older Montblanc Classic?

Collectors report that over long idle periods, ink residues accumulate in the cap and dry into a concentrate, since ink consists predominantly of water and the remaining pigment sinks to the bottom when cleaning. When cleaning, one should be careful: with some old celluloid models, black ink in particular attacks the material from inside, so that the cap can even break in a water bath. Careful rinsing under running water, followed by a water bath, is usually sufficient to clean the cap without damaging the pen.


Which Montblanc Meisterstück model is a black fountain pen with Pix engraving, 14K/585 nib, screw closure and serial number beginning with VU?

Based on the description alone, the model cannot be unambiguously assigned, since the features mentioned apply to all Meisterstücks. With additional photos, collectors identify the pen as a Meisterstück 145, which has been produced for around 15 years and is therefore not considered old. The small additional spring in the piston converter is structurally present in order to overcome adhesion forces in new converters and to ensure continuous ink flow to the feed. Before first filling, a water rinse is possible but not strictly necessary.

Related pages on fountainpen.de:
• Montblanc Meisterstück 145 (Classique): https://www.fountainpen.de/c-montblanc-meisterstueck-145-en.htm


What can one do if a used Montblanc Marcel Proust loses ink at the threads, and what service costs are to be expected for Limited Editions?

With ink leakage at the threads, either a leaking screw connection between grip section and barrel or a crack in the reservoir is to be considered. Limited Editions are only repairable to a limited extent: Montblanc does have spare parts, but their availability is limited, and repair flat rates for LEs are significantly higher than for regular models. In the case described, a cracked ink reservoir was indeed diagnosed; the repair cost around 403 euros. A direct telephone clarification with Montblanc service is recommended; shipping should always be insured.


Is it worth buying the volume "Schriftstücke" by Pedro Corrêa do Lago from Gerstenberg Verlag?

Collectors judge the large-format book as extremely informative and impressive; it contains autographs from seven centuries and gives a good overview of handwritings of famous personalities. The book, weighing more than two kilograms, is a heavy illustrated volume. While the original price of around 59 euros was felt to be high, the work has meanwhile been significantly reduced by the publisher and is available second-hand from about 39 euros in as-new condition antiquarian. As supplementary reading on the same subject, the work "... mit Brief und Siegel" by the State Archive Administration of the GDR is mentioned.


Was the Montblanc Jules Verne available as a rollerball and in red, and how should the offers of a particular eBay seller be assessed?

The Montblanc Jules Verne was only available as a fountain pen and ballpoint; a rollerball never existed. The model was furthermore only delivered in blue, since other colours would not have made thematic sense (reference to the sea); the original also has a larger diameter than the counterfeits. The pieces shown in the auction in question are clearly to be classified as counterfeits; the etui can be recognised as forged by its too-short flap. With the Bohème, authenticity is harder to assess from the pictures, but the included etui is also a fake.


What experiences are there with Montblanc ladies' watches with automatic movement regarding robustness and maintenance?

Automatic watches have a rotor that can heavily strain the axles during sporting activity; they are therefore basically more sensitive than quartz watches or hand-wound watches. For everyday use, however, they are sufficiently robust. Regular wearing or occasional winding is important so that the oil does not gum up; professional servicing with cleaning and oiling is recommended after several years. Anyone wanting to save costs can check authorised repair centres abroad. For sporting activities, a quartz watch is more advisable.