Montblanc 264, an underappreciated pen from the 50s
The late 40s and early 50s were a time of change and transition throughout Europe and that was certainly true at Montblanc. Montblanc was changing the designs of their pens from the old dome top to a more streamlined version. The last remaining dome top Montblanc was the 234 ½ and both the prestige 14x series and the quality 24x series pens were now streamlined cigar shaped pens.
In the mid 50s the quality 24x pens were replaced by a new design, the 250 series, that featured a slip on cap instead of a screw cap and a new nib design that resembled a wing or feather.
Not everyone liked the new slip cap or the new nib even though the new wing nib was one of the most flexible nibs yet and so to hedge their bets Montblanc also released one traditional nib screw cap model, the 264.
The 264 looked very much like the discontinued 244, featured two cap bands an a very simple monotone nib, a straight section instead of the concave section on the 14x series and a plain blue ink view window unlike the striped one on the 146.
The 264 was also slightly shorter than the 146 or 256 as expected.
The 264 has withstood the test of time better than the 250 series which tend to develop cracks in the cap lip over time and the nib on my 264 is smooth and soft but without the flex found in the 146 of that period. This particular nib was changed out at sometime during its life, the imprint on the blind cap shows EF but this nib is on the fine side of medium.
In all, if you are looking for a lower cost alternative to the celluloid 14X Montblanc pens of the 50s, the 264 is an often under priced and underappreciated option.
Re: Montblanc 264, an underappreciated pen from the 50s
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Pterodactylus
Hi,
My 264 (with OBB nib) has the MB snowflake on the nib and quite a lot flex.
Beautiful line variation there. Thanks for the pics and comments.
I just snagged a near mint MB 264 OBB earlier today on eBay, looking forward to the test flight!
Re: Montblanc 264, an underappreciated pen from the 50s
Is it not true that first year MB 264's only had one cap band and the Montblac written on the cap in white. I recently seen one like that.
Re: Montblanc 264, an underappreciated pen from the 50s
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Uncle Bud
Is it not true that first year MB 264's only had one cap band and the Montblac written on the cap in white. I recently seen one like that.
I'd be very careful about making any assumptions like that when it comes to the 264. It was kind of a bastard child, an afterthought that was created because there was negative reaction to the "NEW" 25x pens with the new nib shape and slip on cap. It was a conservative mid range pen and so many parts seem to be recycled. I've found lots of variety in nibs and caps but no real indication of the variations being related to dates. Remember the whole 26x and 25x pens had a pretty short life span compared to other models.
Re: Montblanc 264, an underappreciated pen from the 50s
Edited due to error posting, ignore
Paul
Re: Montblanc 264, an underappreciated pen from the 50s
Hi Jar,
Thank you very much for an excellent review and photos and advertisements. For people who like Montblanc pens this is a great historical source.
Have you ever considered writing a book with all the pen information you have? Even a digital book would be fantastic.
Kind regards,
Rui
Re: Montblanc 264, an underappreciated pen from the 50s
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RuiFromUK
Hi Jar,
Thank you very much for an excellent review and photos and advertisements. For people who like Montblanc pens this is a great historical source.
Have you ever considered writing a book with all the pen information you have? Even a digital book would be fantastic.
Kind regards,
Rui
Well, honestly I know a whole lot about very little or maybe a very little about a whole lot. I did do one about Montegrappa pens from around 1970 to 2010 or so but there are already great sources out there for so many other pens, Montblanc, most Italian pens, Conway Stewart, Sheaffer, Parker, Waterman and from folk that know those subjects far better than I so I know my limits.
Re: Montblanc 264, an underappreciated pen from the 50s
Hi Jar, yeah totally agree about making assumptions. There is one on fleabay just now by Penkala, who is a well known and respected seller, who also I believe does the pen shows, and that's how he describes it, I just wondered if that was true, coz like your advert in the post, all the searches I've done does show two bands. Perhaps my post wasn't worded in the best way as I was asking a question, not stating fact, so sorry about that. Cheers, your Uncle Bud.