Seeking a Vintage MB... need some advice!

[sniper777]

I am very new to acquiring vintage MBs. It’s been a rollercoaster ride so far. I plan on keeping an extremely modest amount of pens in my stable and hope what I acquire will be enjoyed by my kids beyond my time someday.

I was very close to pulling the trigger on a Hemingway... only to realize that is not what I really wanted. I wanted to want it, but didn’t really want it... if that makes any sense. Somebody’s “grail” pen, just not mine.

What I did like was the shape of the pen and the relative size. I liked the bigger nib as well. I like the bigger MBs with the 146 and 149 being the right size for me.

I am seeking advice on models to look at in the realm described above, maybe some other models to co side, and also who would be the best person/company to start a dialogue with to acquire.

Any help is appreciated and thank you.

[Viktaurian]

Hello, Its great to start collecting FPs, especially if these are Tier 1 models.

A disclaimer, I am not a collector myself, but I do accumulate pens for someone really special, hence I can relate to pressing that trigger thing.

When I hear Montblanc the very first name comes to my mind is great Pavoni, for me he is the guru of MBs ( look up him on fountain pen network)
And recently there is this gentleman who is doing amazing in enlightening the FP world around MBs ( check his website below)

New Vintage Montblanc Website

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?share_fid=3150&share_tid=28018&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffpgeeks%2Ecom%2Fforum%2Fshowthre ad%2Ephp%3Ft%3D28018&share_type=t


Now the way I started accumulating MBs for my special person was from 3xx , 2xx and 1xx.

Said that, I strongly feel every MB Collector should have at least one of the below
And if you go for the celluloid models, you are hitting the right notes

149 / 146
13x ( only celluloid)
2xx ( only celluloid)
From writer's edition - Oscar Wilde is my all time favourite.

All the best for your quest, your kids are gonna be so so proud of you.....

PS: Please correct me if any of the above had misleading/incorrect info.












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[jar]

The Hemingway certainly cannot be considered as "vintage" but it was patterned on the 139 which would be considered vintage.

If you like that basic shape and want to dip your toes into the realm of vintage Montblancs I suggest starting with the 234½. They are fairly common, usually reasonably priced and super enjoyable to use. It's about the same size as the vintage 144s (all the 1950s era pens were smaller than the same model today) or a Pelikan M400.

Here are two 234½s next to a 1950s 144 and a Pelikan 400.


http://www.fototime.com/03A653AD3848455/medium800.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/3A86D9CE00CC1FD/standard.jpg

[carlos.q]

For a variety of vintage MB take a look at: https://www.penboard.de/shop/

[sniper777]

Hello, Its great to start collecting FPs, especially if these are Tier 1 models.

A disclaimer, I am not a collector myself, but I do accumulate pens for someone really special, hence I can relate to pressing that trigger thing.

When I hear Montblanc the very first name comes to my mind is great Pavoni, for me he is the guru of MBs ( look up him on fountain pen network)
And recently there is this gentleman who is doing amazing in enlightening the FP world around MBs ( check his website below)

New Vintage Montblanc Website

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?share_fid=3150&share_tid=28018&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffpgeeks%2Ecom%2Fforum%2Fshowthre ad%2Ephp%3Ft%3D28018&share_type=t


Now the way I started accumulating MBs for my special person was from 3xx , 2xx and 1xx.

Said that, I strongly feel every MB Collector should have at least one of the below
And if you go for the celluloid models, you are hitting the right notes

149 / 146
13x ( only celluloid)
2xx ( only celluloid)
From writer's edition - Oscar Wilde is my all time favourite.

All the best for your quest, your kids are gonna be so so proud of you.....

PS: Please correct me if any of the above had misleading/incorrect info.












Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you so much for your advice! I will definitely start there and seek out Pavoni. The vintage website is very cool... good eye candy for sure. One question, when you acquire, do you have a source?

[sniper777]

The Hemingway certainly cannot be considered as "vintage" but it was patterned on the 139 which would be considered vintage.

If you like that basic shape and want to dip your toes into the realm of vintage Montblancs I suggest starting with the 234½. They are fairly common, usually reasonably priced and super enjoyable to use. It's about the same size as the vintage 144s (all the 1950s era pens were smaller than the same model today) or a Pelikan M400.

Here are two 234½s next to a 1950s 144 and a Pelikan 400.


http://www.fototime.com/03A653AD3848455/medium800.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/3A86D9CE00CC1FD/standard.jpg


I will definitely look into those. I'm nervous about the pricing as I start researching this! *Gulp*

[sniper777]

For a variety of vintage MB take a look at: https://www.penboard.de/shop/

Thank you! Do you order often from there?

[carlos.q]

For a variety of vintage MB take a look at: https://www.penboard.de/shop/

Thank you! Do you order often from there?

I have ordered before and Tom is well known in the FP community.

[penwash]

Did you get to meet Pete Kirby at the Dallas pen show? His tables are right behind mine.

Look at his Montblanc selection at his website http://petespenshop.com and call him. Tell him Will sent you.

[sniper777]

Did you get to meet Pete Kirby at the Dallas pen show? His tables are right behind mine.

Look at his Montblanc selection at his website http://petespenshop.com and call him. Tell him Will sent you.
Thanks, Will! He has a great site and is local. I will definitely reach out. If there are any others to consider, I would certainly love to hear about them!

[jar]

Did you get to meet Pete Kirby at the Dallas pen show? His tables are right behind mine.

Look at his Montblanc selection at his website http://petespenshop.com and call him. Tell him Will sent you.
Thanks, Will! He has a great site and is local. I will definitely reach out. If there are any others to consider, I would certainly love to hear about them!

His 300s and the 254 in particular would be great introductions to the Montblanc that once was.

[Sandy]

Go to a pen show and you can see what vendors have, and try before you buy. Also take a loupe, so you can see the nibs in all their glory.

Then haggle over the price (take cash).

At least then you'll start with one in good condition. There are other reputable online sellers (Fountain Pen hospital) who also deal in vintage pens. I'm sure folk here can recommend some.

On E-bay, there are good deals to be had, but there are forgreries out there - and condition (which is the key element for buying any vintage fountain pen) is difficult to assess. Quite often the pen has turned up in a relative's drawer or estate sale - the vendor knows nothing about MB - apart from the fact that it valuable - and hasn't filled it. So (hairline) cracks, stuck pistons and so on are not noticed and the pen is overpriced for the time, effort and money required to get it into writing condition.

[sniper777]

Go to a pen show and you can see what vendors have, and try before you buy. Also take a loupe, so you can see the nibs in all their glory.

Then haggle over the price (take cash).

At least then you'll start with one in good condition. There are other reputable online sellers (Fountain Pen hospital) who also deal in vintage pens. I'm sure folk here can recommend some.

On E-bay, there are good deals to be had, but there are forgreries out there - and condition (which is the key element for buying any vintage fountain pen) is difficult to assess. Quite often the pen has turned up in a relative's drawer or estate sale - the vendor knows nothing about MB - apart from the fact that it valuable - and hasn't filled it. So (hairline) cracks, stuck pistons and so on are not noticed and the pen is overpriced for the time, effort and money required to get it into writing condition.

Thanks for the detailed insight. There have been a lot of good resources offered here. I think the more I have looked, the more I have understood that this may indeed take some time. Not a bad thing for sure.

[carlos.q]

I think the more I have looked, the more I have understood that this may indeed take some time. Not a bad thing for sure.

No doubt the thrill is in the chase...

[Viktaurian]

Go to a pen show and you can see what vendors have, and try before you buy. Also take a loupe, so you can see the nibs in all their glory.

Then haggle over the price (take cash).

At least then you'll start with one in good condition. There are other reputable online sellers (Fountain Pen hospital) who also deal in vintage pens. I'm sure folk here can recommend some.

On E-bay, there are good deals to be had, but there are forgreries out there - and condition (which is the key element for buying any vintage fountain pen) is difficult to assess. Quite often the pen has turned up in a relative's drawer or estate sale - the vendor knows nothing about MB - apart from the fact that it valuable - and hasn't filled it. So (hairline) cracks, stuck pistons and so on are not noticed and the pen is overpriced for the time, effort and money required to get it into writing condition.

Thanks for the detailed insight. There have been a lot of good resources offered here. I think the more I have looked, the more I have understood that this may indeed take some time. Not a bad thing for sure.

And do keep an eye for other flagship/ grail pens as well from Germany, namely Soenneckens and Pelikans.
It's always good to check MB among their competitors......



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[Sandy]

The time you take to ensure you get a good vintage MB, will save you the time (& money) getting a poor vintage pen working.

(Been there, done that - not a big fan).

[Freddie]

For your consideration see Gary Lehrer at GoPens.com.....First rate fella /product and a pleasure to deal with.......
https://gopens.com/
Fred..
The Monroe Brothers I Am Thinking Tonight Of The Old Folks
next track...................................

[Zisi]

I would recommend a celluloid 146 from the 1950s. The ink windows are beautiful, the size and shape allows a great balance, and the telescopic piston is a cool piece of historical innovation. The oblique nibs on these vintage nibs are beautiful! GoPens is a super safe bet. And I think Penboard.de has a few celluloid 146s up for sale right now iirc. All the best!