Vintage Montblanc: Distinguished Older Gentlemen.
Ages ago someone asked for pics of my little collection of 50s MB and since we've got a thread from someone curious about old MB, seemed like the time. My collection is small and modest, but every pen is well loved and was a great find when it dropped into my lap.
Here are my distinguished, silver haired gentlemen.
Untitled by JoAndRoses, on Flickr
From Left to right we have:
(EDIT: This is a 242, not a 142, that was a typo, sorry!) Montblanc 242 B 14k gold nib. This is a tiny little fellow, well suited to the hand of a lady like myself. This particular pen has had many adventures and came to me with a tiny cap crack, lots of surface scratches and a loose cap ring. It goes with me to conferences as it is the perfect note taking pen. I have no explanation why, but it can sit uncapped as long as a Parker 51 and still start up writing with the first stroke. It is also small, portable but holds lots of ink for its size. A sweet little gem. It's weight and balance are PERFECT, the gold nib just delightful and full of character.
Next we have 2 Montblanc 244s. One fitted with a semi-flex M nib, the other with a semi flex OBB. The M nib 244 was my very first Montblanc and sold me on the whole brand. These are wonderful pen, old enough to be made of solid old (what is it anyway?) instead of the cheap light plastic "precious resin" MB uses these days. They both write a divine wet line, with the OBB 244 being one of my best writers of all time. That nib is ADDICTIVE, once you write with it you'll start hunting for every OBB nib you can find.
Then we have a Montblanc 144 with BB nib. This one is special. It is fitted with a STEEL wartime (or just post war) nib due to gold shortages and seems to be unusual. The nib is still two tone as they applied some sort of wash over the outer part of the nib to create the illusion of gold, barely visible today in the right light. I've been told it is rare, and in the perfect shape this pen is in, even more rare. The 144 has heft, balance, gravitas. It feels lovely in the hand. The steel nib, everything you could want, no reason to lament not having gold here! Semi flex, comfy to write with and very "stubby."
A pic of the steel 144 nib:
Untitled by JoAndRoses, on Flickr
Finally we have a 344. This is a "third tier" Montblanc and made out of much lighter plastic. It is just a rougher pen, but the nib (BB) is still gold, still very pleasant to use, and it would be a first tier pen from anyone else. However, it IS less pleasant in the hand given its more modern material and doesn't get used much given its far more distinguished brothers.
(I also have an 80s 144 BB but I never use it, it's a cartridge/converter filler and frankly doesn't belong in this illustrious crowd. I'll likely sell it as it never gets used.)
That's my little MB collection. I wouldn't trade ANY of them for an expensive modern Montblanc. I've held these, I've held the modern pens... And the 50s boys win hands down. No contest. Anyone who thinks they don't like MB should try some of the vintage (50s and older, the stuff from the 70s on is NOT the same). I'm a vintage Montblanc girl, and you can be too.
Useage note: These pens use all my inks, from Noodler's to the Iroshuzuki. They work flawlessly with everything (obviously some inks are wetter than others) and need no muss or fuss. They travel in my three pen leather case to conferences, vacations and work. They are treated with care, but not pampered and they are fine daily users.
For those just starting out I really think the 244 is a sweet spot. High end enough to really get a feel for the line but common and easy to find for under $200. Expect to pay $120 to $150 for a nice example. And expect to end up with more than one.
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Re: Vintage Montblanc: Distinguished Older Gentlemen.
Originally Posted by tandaina
can't be without a 244G!
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