Montblanc Great Characters
Mahatma Gandhi
Edition of 3000 / Edition of 241
His goal was freedom, his path non-violent and his weapon humanity: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was one of the most fascinating personalities of the 20th century. Born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar (Gujarat) into a respected caste, Gandhi married when he was just 13 years of age. Following law studies in London, he worked as a barrister for 21 years in South Africa, where he fought for the rights of immigrant Indians. Upon his return to India in 1914, Gandhi was given the title ‘Mahatma’ - ‘great soul’ in Sanskrit - in recognition of his commitment to his fellow men. He himself never accepted this title.
Mahatma Gandhi was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement. The design pays tribute to his life and achievements. The top of the cap and cone are inspired by the spindle which Gandhi used to spin cotton – one of the symbols of Indian independence. The colour white is a reference to truth and peace, while the Mandarin garnet represents the orange colour that is part of the Indian flag. The nib shows an image of Mahatma Gandhi, walking with a stick. In addition, the limitation of the Mahatma Gandhi Limited Edition 3000 is symbolic for the masses of people who followed him during his fight for independence. As a reference, this Edition is limited to 3,000 fountain pens and 3,000 rollerballs. The Mahatma Gandhi Limited Edition 241 is a homage to the 241 miles travelled by Gandhi on the Salt March from Ahmedabad to the coast. A march which, 17 years later, was to result in freedom for India. To mark this milestone in history, the precious fountain pen is limited worldwide to just 241 pieces. As befits its historical significance, the hand-crafted rhodium-plated 18 K solid gold nib of this Limited Edition, which is crowned by the Montblanc emblem in mother-of-pearl, shows a finely engraved image of Mahatma Gandhi on his path towards Indian independence.
To achieve complete independence from the British Empire, he employed unconventional tactics. One of his most spectacular campaigns was the famous 241 mile Salt March from Ahmedabad to the Arabian Sea in 1930. His protest was directed against a law which made it illegal for Indians to produce and sell their own salt. Gandhi was successful: in March of the following year, the salt monopoly was toppled. For 60 years, Gandhi fought for the freedom and independence of India, with active but non-violent resistance. History was to prove him right. After a long struggle, India was granted autonomy on 15 August 1947. Soon afterwards, though, on 30 January 1948, Gandhi was shot dead by a radical Hindu during his evening prayers. Showing the world that social and political change could be achieved not by violence and terror, but rather through love and understanding, was his gift to the world.
Mahatma Gandhi was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement. The design pays tribute to his life and achievements. The top of the cap and cone are inspired by the spindle which Gandhi used to spin cotton – one of the symbols of Indian independence. The colour white is a reference to truth and peace, while the Mandarin garnet represents the orange colour that is part of the Indian flag. The nib shows an image of Mahatma Gandhi, walking with a stick. In addition, the limitation of the Mahatma Gandhi Limited Edition 3000 is symbolic for the masses of people who followed him during his fight for independence. As a reference, this Edition is limited to 3,000 fountain pens and 3,000 rollerballs. The Mahatma Gandhi Limited Edition 241 is a homage to the 241 miles travelled by Gandhi on the Salt March from Ahmedabad to the coast. A march which, 17 years later, was to result in freedom for India. To mark this milestone in history, the precious fountain pen is limited worldwide to just 241 pieces. As befits its historical significance, the hand-crafted rhodium-plated 18 K solid gold nib of this Limited Edition, which is crowned by the Montblanc emblem in mother-of-pearl, shows a finely engraved image of Mahatma Gandhi on his path towards Indian independence.
To achieve complete independence from the British Empire, he employed unconventional tactics. One of his most spectacular campaigns was the famous 241 mile Salt March from Ahmedabad to the Arabian Sea in 1930. His protest was directed against a law which made it illegal for Indians to produce and sell their own salt. Gandhi was successful: in March of the following year, the salt monopoly was toppled. For 60 years, Gandhi fought for the freedom and independence of India, with active but non-violent resistance. History was to prove him right. After a long struggle, India was granted autonomy on 15 August 1947. Soon afterwards, though, on 30 January 1948, Gandhi was shot dead by a radical Hindu during his evening prayers. Showing the world that social and political change could be achieved not by violence and terror, but rather through love and understanding, was his gift to the world.
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| LE 3000 Fountain Pen |
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| LE 241 Fountain Pen |
Alfred Hitchcock
Edition of 3000 / Edition of 80
The inventor of the thriller genre and master of subtle horror is unparalleled in his skill at tearing his audience from their comfort and submersing them deeply in emotions and fears. With his sophisticated cinematographic techniques, sound scripts and suggestive use of light and shadow, Hitchcock conveyed emotion not only on the screen but also in the heads of his audience. Movies like the Oscar-nominated thriller "Psycho" or "The Birds" became classics and made Alfred Hitchcock a legend of cinematic nightmares.
The 3000 Limited Edition
The Limited Edition Alfred Hitchcock with 925 sterling silver fittings is equipped with special details recalling the highlights of Hitchcock's career: A knife-shaped clip reminiscent of "Psycho" and a sophisticated surface effect reflecting the dizzying stair in "Vertigo". This Limited Edition pays tribute to the exceptional director Hitchcock, whose self-portrait is immortalised on the rhodium-plated 18 K gold nib in fine engraving.
The 80 Limited Edition
The cap and barrel of this pen are crafted of swirling red and black precious lacquer echoing the dizzying effect that Hitchcock achieved in his 1958 classic “Vertigo”. The knife-shaped clip on the cap is inspired by the shower scene in “Psycho”. The cap ring is decorated to resemble a period film strip, and the 18K white gold captop, cap ring and endpiece are bordered with a rope motif, suggesting the murder weapon in the suspense classic “Rope”. The accumulation of sly details amounts to a finish as satisfying as the denouement of one of Hitchcock’s films.
The 3000 Limited Edition
The Limited Edition Alfred Hitchcock with 925 sterling silver fittings is equipped with special details recalling the highlights of Hitchcock's career: A knife-shaped clip reminiscent of "Psycho" and a sophisticated surface effect reflecting the dizzying stair in "Vertigo". This Limited Edition pays tribute to the exceptional director Hitchcock, whose self-portrait is immortalised on the rhodium-plated 18 K gold nib in fine engraving.
The 80 Limited Edition
The cap and barrel of this pen are crafted of swirling red and black precious lacquer echoing the dizzying effect that Hitchcock achieved in his 1958 classic “Vertigo”. The knife-shaped clip on the cap is inspired by the shower scene in “Psycho”. The cap ring is decorated to resemble a period film strip, and the 18K white gold captop, cap ring and endpiece are bordered with a rope motif, suggesting the murder weapon in the suspense classic “Rope”. The accumulation of sly details amounts to a finish as satisfying as the denouement of one of Hitchcock’s films.
Albert Einstein
Edition of 3000 / Edition of 99
Only a genius could have achieved what Einstein accomplished in 1905 – the “year of greatness”, or Annus Mirabilis, that made history. In this year, he published four different theories at short intervals, radically changing the understanding of physics. In particular, his “Special Theory of Relativity” put the world of science in a state of turmoil with the concept that the speed of light was constant and that, as a result, time and space had lost their absoluteness.
The 3000 Limited Edition
The platinum-plated body of the Albert Einstein® Limited Edition 3000, delicately engraved with the unique scientist’s most famous formulas, shines like a distant star. Platinum-plated lines cluster around the cap in a fine grid-like pattern, depicting the curvature of space-time. The dark-blue background reflects the depth of the infinite universe. An artistic engraving of the element einsteinium (Es), named after the genius, decorates the hand-crafted rhodium-plated 750 Solid gold nib. The edition has been limited to 3000 pens, corresponding approximately to one-hundredth of the tremendous speed of light – 299,792.458 km/s – which was essential for Einstein’s vision of the universe.
The 99 Limited Edition
A reference to the chemical element ʻEinsteiniumʼ with the ordinal number 99, the Limited Edition is a masterpiece in design. Every detail brings to life the ground-breaking work that earned him such respect and admiration internationally. Crafted from 750 solid white gold, the body of this precious piece is covered with a skeleton net with a filigree overlay representing the space-time curve, Einstein’s disruptive discovery that demonstrated how in his universe, space and time are no longer flat but can pushed and pulled, stretched and warped by matter. The filigree engravings on the barrel and cone of the pen reflect his most famous formulas, and the nib is enriched with the engraving of the chemical element ʻEinsteiniumʼ or ʻEsʼ, a rare radioactive metal named after Einstein to honour his achievements. The penʼs clip is bejewelled with a sapphire bowl of approximately 1,3 ct, while the iconic star-shaped Montblanc emblem carved out of moonstone, crowns this masterpiece with its luminous display of colours.
The 3000 Limited Edition
The platinum-plated body of the Albert Einstein® Limited Edition 3000, delicately engraved with the unique scientist’s most famous formulas, shines like a distant star. Platinum-plated lines cluster around the cap in a fine grid-like pattern, depicting the curvature of space-time. The dark-blue background reflects the depth of the infinite universe. An artistic engraving of the element einsteinium (Es), named after the genius, decorates the hand-crafted rhodium-plated 750 Solid gold nib. The edition has been limited to 3000 pens, corresponding approximately to one-hundredth of the tremendous speed of light – 299,792.458 km/s – which was essential for Einstein’s vision of the universe.
The 99 Limited Edition
A reference to the chemical element ʻEinsteiniumʼ with the ordinal number 99, the Limited Edition is a masterpiece in design. Every detail brings to life the ground-breaking work that earned him such respect and admiration internationally. Crafted from 750 solid white gold, the body of this precious piece is covered with a skeleton net with a filigree overlay representing the space-time curve, Einstein’s disruptive discovery that demonstrated how in his universe, space and time are no longer flat but can pushed and pulled, stretched and warped by matter. The filigree engravings on the barrel and cone of the pen reflect his most famous formulas, and the nib is enriched with the engraving of the chemical element ʻEinsteiniumʼ or ʻEsʼ, a rare radioactive metal named after Einstein to honour his achievements. The penʼs clip is bejewelled with a sapphire bowl of approximately 1,3 ct, while the iconic star-shaped Montblanc emblem carved out of moonstone, crowns this masterpiece with its luminous display of colours.
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| The LE 3000 Complete Set |
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| The LE 3000 Fountain Pen |
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| The LE 99 Fountain Pen |
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| Detail of the LE 99 Fountain Pen |
Leonardo da Vinci
Edition of 3000 / Edition of 74The 3000 Limited Edition
Created to honour this world-renowned genius of the Renaissance, the Limited Edition Leonardo features a silver-coloured, anodised cap and barrel with highly polished platinum-plated fittings. Every detail of the design corresponds directly to Leonardo’s original sketches of flying machines and mechanical constructions. The wedge shapes recall Leonardo’s method of connecting mechanical parts. The gear decorations on the cone, as well as the rotating gear on the clip, reflect his numerous inventions driven by gears. The engraved wing sketch on the forepart and the bat on the 750 gold nib honour his study of the characteristics of flying beasts, while the mirror in the cap-top, revealing the Montblanc emblem, is a reference to his mirror studies. This Limited Edition, honouring one of the greatest pioneers of the sciences, comprises 3000 fountain pens and rollerballs.
The 74 Limited Edition
This pen, featuring one of Montblanc's most inventive designs, honours Leonardo da Vinci. Solid 18-karat rose gold with ruthenium-plated fittings, clip with diamond-studded rotating gear, cap-top features hidden the view of a mirror reflecting concealed Montblanc star emblem.
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| The LE 3000 Fountain and Rollerball Pen Set |
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| Detail of the LE3000 Fountain Pen |
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| The LE74 Fountain Pen |
John F. Kennedy
Special Edition / Edition of 1917 / Edition of 83
He was a brilliant speaker, a cool strategist and a political rejuvenator who was revered like a pop star. Though allowed only a short time as president, John F. Kennedy was a mover of world history. With the John F. Kennedy Special Edition, Montblanc pays tribute to one of the most beloved and influential presidents of the United States.
The Special Edition / Blue & Burgundy Series
Commemorating one of the most revered figures of modern history, the John F. Kennedy Special Edition makes symbolic references to the life of J. F. Kennedy in subtle design details. The blue precious resin refers to Kennedy’s time in the U.S. Navy. His initials “JFK” are engraved in the platinum-plated clip, and the three platinum-plated cap rings stand for Kennedy’s three brothers. Later a burgundy coloured series was launched where the burgundy-coloured precious resin refers to Kennedy’s famous Ivy League style and is inspired by his time at Harvard University.
In reference to the Apollo space programme, a project that was dear to his heart and carried with it America's hopes and dreams, the handcrafted 14 K gold nib has been engraved with the lunar module that turned this vision into a reality in 1969. Available as a fountain pen, rollerball or ballpoint pen, this Special Edition is crowned with the Montblanc emblem in precious resin.
The 1917 Limited Edition
One of J.F. Kennedy’s favourite pastimes was sailing. The John F. Kennedy Limited Edition 1917, available as fountain pen, ballpoint pen and rollerball, is inspired by the accoutrements of sailing, with the pattern beneath the lacquer surface recalling boating rope and the 750 gold nib engraved with the lifebuoy from Kennedy’s yacht, the “Victura”.
Kennedy’s national service is remembered in the star of the U.S. Navy on the cone, as well as the colours of the American flag: red, white and blue. In reference to the presidential campaign Kennedy won in 1960, the motto “A time for greatness” is engraved on the cap ring. Limited to 1,917 pieces in memory of the year John F. Kennedy was born, the Edition honours a man remembered as a world leader in times of international tension.
The 83 Limited Edition
In 2015 a new Limited Edition of 88 fountain pens was launched. The pen was a skeleton type pen, where the barrel and the cap designs were inspired by the windows of the Apollo 11 space capsule. The barrel sported 2 diamonds (representing JFK's two children) and the Montblanc emblem was done in moonstone. The 18-carat nib was engraved with the profile of the lunar module (similar to the Special Edition nib).
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| The Special Edition (Blue) Range |
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| The Special Edition (Burgundy) Range |
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| The Limited Edition Range |
The prices given here are the low and high average found on the international market between the years 2014 and 2018. The difference between the lowest and the highest values can be due to such factors as the state of preservation, the provenience, the reputation of the seller, and the completeness of the offer (original case, documentation, ink accessories, etc.). Every collector should be fully aware of the difference between selling prices and purchase prices, and between passion and investment.
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Against the normal "market pricing", the following table provides some guidelines for the valuation and negotiation of collectible (not current) fountain pens as per their condition.
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WEIGHT |
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No signs of use, New Old Stock, boxed and fully documented, not inked ever
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No discernable user markings, boxed, dipped or once ink filled
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All parts original, slight signs of use, slight surface scratches, minor discolouration, crisp imprints, trim or body with no significant brassing, no dings, may be boxed, fully working
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All parts original, some signs of use, surface scratching, brassing, light discolouration, fully functional
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Not all parts may be original, heavy sign of use, worn imprints, used look, may need repairs, dings/stratches, medium discolouration
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Not working, missing parts, cracks, strong discolouration, very visible dings
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Another devaluation scale may be considered for particular typologies of damage
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