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SIR
June 1st, 2016, 11:31 PM
No affiliation but can heartily recommend seller.

http://www.hepworthdixon.com/product.php/252/1/montblanc_meisterstuck_144_vintage_fountain_pen_in _black_celluloid_with_oblique_double_broad_writing _nib_from_1950s/6fe3dcce673e4cc8b6e5c00b81d76dec

http://www.hepworthdixon.com/shopimages/products/extras/MBV.144_7471.jpg

jar
June 2nd, 2016, 06:23 AM
Nice pen but the price seems a bit strong.

SIR
June 2nd, 2016, 07:40 AM
Nice pen but the price seems a bit strong.

Maybe, but another UK seller has a 'grade C' example for £275...
https://vintagefountainpens.co.uk/product/no6676-early-montblanc-144-fountain-pen-black-celluloid-1950s-broad-oblique-nib-five-star-nib/

I look at it in comparison to buying a 2016 144 new today.

carlc
June 2nd, 2016, 02:25 PM
To be honest neither Vintage Fountain Pens nor Hepworth Dixon are noted for being cheap. But that seems to increasingly be the case with many sellers in the UK these days.

SIR
June 2nd, 2016, 09:58 PM
Oh OK, thanks carlc!
What would you reckon to be a fairer or more representative market price for a near mint condition, late celluloid 149, particularly in OBB?

carlc
June 3rd, 2016, 12:35 AM
Sorry no idea - I was responding to jar's comment (and bemoaning the state of the pen market in the UK these days).

I suppose a reasonable price is what someone is willing to pay (I've been known to over pay for something I wanted - just ask Cob about his Rose marble NS Duofold that was on eBay :) ). However I have watched the price of pens in the UK climb over the years and kept an eye on the seller's websites. There are a few in the UK I would only buy from if it was a pen I really wanted (and couldn't find elsewhere).

ETA: I'm not saying Hepworth Dixon or Vintage Fountain Pens are not completely good retailers with good service.

SIR
June 3rd, 2016, 01:34 AM
However I have watched the price of pens in the UK climb over the years and kept an eye on the seller's websites. There are a few in the UK I would only buy from if it was a pen I really wanted (and couldn't find elsewhere).

Tell me about it!
But they ain't getting any less vintage are they?

I have a 2003 Antiques Price Guide by Judith Miller which I was flicking through briefly t'other day, some examples;
c.1954 semi-oblique broad wing nib MB 252 £90-£130
c.1957 oblique plastic MB Monterosa 024G German for Arab markets £40-£60(!)
1993 Montblanc Octavian filigree complete w/ all papers and original packaging £1600-£1700
c. 1950 MB 246G PL striated celluloid £500-£600
c.1936 MB 234.5 blue black marbled celluloid w/ 4 nib £800-£1000
c.1929 Wahl-Eversharp Gold-Seal Decoband, rosewood oversize hard rubber, personal point w/ Gold Seal Manifold nib £100-£150

SIR
June 3rd, 2016, 02:01 AM
For reference, we have an eBay seller asking £2700 for the Octavian with all papers etc right now!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/montblanc-Octavian-fountain-pen-mont-blanc-limited-edition-1993-silver-4810-/290859261740

carlc
June 3rd, 2016, 02:17 AM
My what a detailed description.

To be fair this isn't restricted to pens anymore. I referee (and to an extent collect) Traveller RPG and some of the prices for the original stuff is mad. This is the RPG equivalent of vintage, but if anyone ever uses that term even for the first print books I'll go mad (the first edition is 1977).

Sent from my E2303 using Tapatalk

SIR
June 3rd, 2016, 02:40 AM
My what a detailed description.

Indeed!
Quite unlike this one,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Montblanc-Limited-Edition-Octavian-Sterling-Silver-Fountain-Pen-Paperwork/162073020717?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D36498%26meid%3Dddb1ce2449034c3bacb7a0800dc0 437a%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D2908 59261740

Jon Szanto
June 3rd, 2016, 02:52 AM
As always, I find "sold" prices rather than "asking" prices far more relevant when doing research on what the market is at any given time. People can ask whatever they want, all that counts is what the item eventually sells for.

FredRydr
June 3rd, 2016, 03:18 AM
In the states, £375 in the condition described would be retail for a celluloid 146, but that's a stretch for a 144. It's just the way it is for smaller model pens, even if they're not all that small.

Fred