Incoming ... Montblanc

[2careless]

Happy to report that I finally got my grail - MB 139, with a Palladium M nib, made during WWII.

[Lol-x]

Congrats Kai, it looks great, please provide some details to explain why this is your 'grail'


The montblanc snow cap star looks different.

Is the pen a 149 size?

How does it write?

What is the condition like?

What kind of dollars do these command?

[2careless]

Thanks Steve. The pen was restored by a very qualified craftsman, so similar to polishing a watch case, he polished the snow cap a bit to try to remove a big dent (which is still quite visible).

Regarding the size of the pen, it's a #9 nib so it's the same nib size to the 149. Following is a quick snap with other pens side by side.



Right to left - MB #30, 1950's 149, the 139L, 136, a Danish made MB214, MB 235, MB146, MB149 75th SE.
The 139 is shorter than the 1950's 149 and the 1950's 149 is just a little shorter than the modern 149.

The pen still has the 139L imprint on the blind cap, and the expected D.R.P. 652406 patent imprint. Silver cap bands are tight, the gold capband imprints are a little fainted but still visible. New cork and the nib is a lovely flexible one. Palladium nibs were only used for like 1-2 years in WW2 as gold usage was verbotten. When Germany started losing, they forbidded the usage of Pd and only steel nibs were allowed. The only problem to me is that the feed is not same era ski slope flat feed but a late 1950's full length split feed. I don't think I can be too picky on this one. It's a grail as the nib is just so nice

This pen, unfortunately, is a short ink window version, which is more common.

I would say it's approx the value of a mint M series 14060m sub.

[Lol-x]

Thanks Kai, now I understand a little about your great vintage pen..

And to think you told me you got into collecting pens because they were not as expensive as watches

I guess you know the war effort isn't going so well when the only material you can use in a nib is stainless steel.

I think the pen is a great size and an excellent addition to your already sublime collection.

So back in the day say 1944 would this pen have been the kind of writing instrument the average middle class person would have, or do you think it was even in those days reserved for those who had a degree of worldliness and material prosperity?

[2careless]

Thanks Steve. A pen is still way cheaper than a watch
Since the pen is MB's most expensive writing instrument of the time, and at that era/period I seriously don't think there is much of a "middle class" so it should have been bought by someone pretty wealthy at the time.

[Lol-x]

You had me going there I thought your grail was the Montblanc Charlie Chaplin.

Please don't try and tell me that is cheaper than any of my watches

[2careless]

Yes the Chaplin is a very beautiful pen, but it's unattainable and unjustifiable. I don't think I will ever get a 30k euro pen just for leaving it in the display case. With the 139 I can take it to work and really use it, and nobody will pay more than a fleeting attention to such a non descriptive pen

[Lion]

Kai, that's a very nice pen(#139) you picked up and vintage as well. I would guess they are hard to find and to me expensive when you do find one. Enjoy your new pen and have fun with it!!!

[2careless]

Wow. Just received one of the most beautiful MB I've ever seen.
A Pearl marbled celluloid 244. Not a super expensive item like the 139, but nevertheless a very lovely piece. The MB snowcap has a pointy cone, all imprints are crisp and clear, very minimal surface scratch. Overall a mint vintage piece. The only issue is that it doesn't keep ink. Ink drains out of the nib after they got drawn in. I'll try soaking it in water overnight and see if the cork seal "expands" or will have to send it back to repair, fingers crossed.

Here are some shots:

[Lol-x]

Kai that looks super-nice...pity you don't have oyster grey ink to use well maybe you might in a few days

The holding area area looks really comfortable, nicely shaped.

[Lion]

Kai, what a great looking vintage MontBlanc you have there and I can attest to the fact that Oyster Grey is an excellent color ink!!!

[Rolex Junky]

Congrats on your new addition Kai. You never disappoint. A stunning vintage. Use it in good health.

[veidtadrian]

The obama pen is really fascinating...great to know about it!

[2careless]

A couple of new acquisitions:

MB 146 Silvery Barley - I think it's a 1990's version. It's got a F nib and is a very dry writer. Ink flow is very restricted. Good for wet inks like Watermans.





MB 146 Green straited - this is an early 1950's version, the barrel shows a bit of ambering but it comes with a very interesting wet noodle nib. Note the nib is "bent" upwards. I think the nib has been retipped over the years.

[dddrees]

Very Nice, Congrats.