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Cologne Pen Show - 30. Internationales Füllhaltersammlertreffen - 16.03.2018


a few Montblanc Meisterstück 146 nibs from the late 1940s to 1950s

1975 Montblanc catalogue from USA distributor KOH-I-NOOR

something to tinker with...

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A few nice 1960s and 1970s pens with interesting nibs.

trying out my new macro lens

during restoration

1979 Montblanc catalogue from USA distributor KOH-I-NOOR

1982 Montblanc catalogue from USA distributor KOH-I-NOOR


a few close-ups of 1960s - 1970s nibs

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 Montblanc Meisterstück 121 "oblique double broad"
Montblanc 22 "fine"
 Montblanc 24 "medium oblique"
 Montblanc 221 "fine"

1971 - c. 1974/75 Montblanc Meisterstück 121

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The Montblanc Meisterstück 121 fountain pen is a continued development of the 1960s design of previous 1x, 2x and 3x models. Slightly larger than its predecessor  - the Meisterstück 12 - the size is similar to the Meisterstück 14.
Montblanc Meisterstück 12 (1960 - 1970)  Montblanc Meisterstück 121 (1971- c. 1974)
The nib is now more integrated into the gripping section and mounted from the front allowing a more flush fit compared to the hooded nibs of previous models. The ink feed is  fully integrated into the section and not visible from the outside anymore.
Montblanc Meisterstück 12 oblique medium&
Montblanc Meisterstück 121 oblique double broad
illustration from the original repair guide
original sticker indicating the nib size

removing the nib according to the repair guideline
early version with metal breather hole until c. 1974/1975; after that the  construction
was changed to a more flat feed visible from the outside 
comparison of later version from c. 1974/1975 (shown on a Montblanc 221) and
after, 1970 - 1974/1975 with metal breather hole (Montblanc Meisterstück 121) and 1960 -1970 (Montblanc Meisterstück 12)
during the 1960s and 1970s Meisterstück pens featured a 18 carat gold nib while
other models were equipped with a 14 carat nib; nibs shown are fine, oblique double broad & oblique fine
also Meisterstück pens had a bright orange-yellow ink window while  the
ink window of other models were blue or grey
original sticker indicating the nib size oblique double broad
the Meisterstück 121 is regularly found with or without the additional
gold ring on the piston filler knob

1971 - c. 1974/75 Montblanc 220

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The Lamy 2000 was on the market for a few years already when Montblanc started selling the 220 pens in 1971. The 220 could not deny the similarity to Lamy's flagship model with its brushed, matte surface. It was a more modern and contemporary alternative to the classic Meisterstück 121 or 221 which were traditionally black with a glossy surface and gold plated trim. The new, modern Montblanc  121, 221 and 220 models featured an integral nib; still with lots of size options but compared to its predecessors from the 1960s or the classic open nibbed Meisterstück 149 and 146 pens the new nibs were much stiffer.
Pens like this are the typical Montblancs which can be found at most better flea markets in Germany without much problems. Prices are still fair. Some pens have been extensively used and show wear or even some damages, others have not been used and can be considered new old stock still with their stickers attached. Worn piston seals and cap clutches as well as cracked caps are the most common defects to come across. As one can imagine the rough, brushed finish is subject to wear as well so some pens became more glossy over the time.
And the brushed surface is exactly which was the result of what has passed on to me as a lovely story from one the Montblanc experts many years ago when I was fairly new to this hobby. This is great trivia for everyone interested in these kind of background information: 

As a response to the success of Lamy's flagship pen the first Montblanc pens 
were treated by hand during after-work hours. Actually they were sanded 
by hand by Dr. Jürgen Rösler himself. Dr. Rösler was the owner of Montblanc 
at that time and remained the last private owner of the company up to date. 
All this is said to have taken place in the basement of his private home. 

Those were the first pens being sold in stores to the public. Only after those 
pens were received well by the customers the production was shifted officially 
to the factory. But even then the surface treatment remained manual work. 
Every 220 started its life as a perfectly glossy pen and obtained its final 
finish manually.
The hand finished surface would be great marketing today but I don't believe it was considered so back in the 1970s. Knowing this story the pictured pen received a refresh of the brushed surface after it came to me in pretty rough shape and the result looks great. Just like many unused pens I have seen. 
Montblanc models from the 1970s like this are still overlooked by most even they are great writers, come with a variety of nib sizes, are easy to maintain, parts are fairly easy to find and prices are still affordable as well. Just like most pens the 220 models come in many different variations.

Basically there are first and second generation models which are distinguished easily by the construction of the nib and section. Nibs are mounted from the front and more flush with the section on early models while nibs where inserted into the section from behind on models from 1973 or 1974 on. The early models show a metal breather hole underneath and the ink feed is integrated while later models have a flat feed feed, visible from the outside. Nibs became more flexible again.

An illustration of the early construction can be seen here: 
Also the pen was available as piston or cartridge/converter fillers. Cartridge/converter fillers were denoted 220P for the German word Patronenfüller for cartridge filler.

To enhance a more modern look silver trim 220S pens were available in addition to the shown gold trim pens as well as models with matching brushed metal caps:
  • 220  =  matte black surface with gold trim; piston filler
  • 220P  =  matte black surface with gold trim; cartridge/converter filler
  • 220S  =  matte black surface with silver trim; piston filler
  • 220SP  =  matte black surface with silver trim; cartridge/converter filler
  • 224  =  matte black surface with gold trim and gold plated cap
  • 225  =  matte black surface with silver trim and silver plated cap
Nibs on the silver trim models were rhodinated gold nibs but are still confused with white gold nibs often.

Besides that some gold trim pens show a black cap top missing the typical metal bezel. Interestingly the black plastic bezel remained glossy. Trim like the cap ring, clip and even nib may have a brushed surface on pens with gold trim.

Early pens may also have a glossy area close to the nib as sanding was not completely proceeded in this era. However I have not come across more recent pens with this feature yet made after 1973/74.

Most silver trim pens have an additional metal ring between barrel and ink window while gold trim pens usually were not fitted with that ring.
illustration from the 1973 model list
early gold trim 220 and later silver trim 220SP
early and later nib construction in comparison
Meisterstück 121, 221 and 420 from the same period of time

new J. Herbin inks for 2018

new J. Herbin inks for 2018

Montblanc Elixir ink collection 2018

Emerald Green Colour of the Year Collection 2018


comparison of the new Elixir inks with other Montblanc inks

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  • on the left:  Elixir Pourpre, Violet & Azure
  • on the right:  Turquoise (vintage), Dandy Turquoise, Ink of Friendship & Unicef Blue
  • on the left:  Elixir Pourpre, Violet & Azure
  • on the right:  Violet (vintage 1960s), Violet (vintage 1980s)Psychedelic PurpleLavender Purple & Violet (2000s)
  • on the right:  Elixir Pourpre, Violet & Azure
  • on the left:  Pink, Dark SaffronBurgundy (1990s) & Burgundy (2000s)
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