"In an age where virtually all correspondence is done electronically, it may seem surprising that luxury shoppers are expected to soon be lining up to buy a pen.

But this is not just any old writing utensil. The limited edition pen, called "The Mystery" and unveiled last week to commemorate the 100th anniversaries of luxury pen maker Mont Blanc and jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels, comes encrusted with 840 diamonds and 20 carats of gemstones, including rubies, sapphires or emeralds. Ready for this? It costs a whopping $730,000."
http://www.forbes.com/2007/02/12/posh-pen-...uxeforless.html

Is that all?

Old Griz will buy at least two with his pen budget

Obi :bunny1: :bunny1: :bunny1: :bunny1:

Outstanding. That will go with the Ferrari I just bought. I can sign a speeding ticket in style.

Can someone loan me $750,000.00 for about a week, there is a pen I must have. Wow, maybe I can get a converter from the "BENZ" collection, cause I'll betcha that it comes with a really heavy nib. :doh: :doh:

I think I'll have to get two of them; might need something to hold a door open or something ...

The sad thing is, there are people who will actually buy this. Now, THERE'S a major decision to make... "Hmmm.... I have a spare 750 grand... a pen or build a homeless shelter? A pen or help people who can't afford proper medical care? A pen or help feed hungry people in the country? A pen or a donation to a worthwhile charity? Gotta go with the pen!"

My thoughts entirely. I suppose the least we can expect is that these individuals have paid their taxes....

Martin

Well, I don't usually jump to the defense of the super-rich, but maybe the purchaser is also a philanthropist and does contribute to the public good. It's during tax season every year that I disappoint myself when I tally up my charitable giving. Maybe we should all give up a pen purchase or two...?

Doug

The Omas featured in the same article was a bit nice though, a snap at just $975 . . . .oh wait. Can't afford that one either <_<

Didn't mean to jump on the guy; my point was the idea of spending that kind of money on something like a pen, no matter what you give to charity...

After spending whatever and then some, plus my annual income for many years to come for a pen, do you think there was a quibble about the price of a bottle of ink? Does this or that ink clash with the gemstones? Perhaps they just purchase a serf (or two) to fill the pen on demand? <_< Problem solved!!!

Gee, I Love A Mystery, but not THAT Much! Personally, I'd even think twice about spending that much on a double anchovy pizza,

Yeah, but a double anchovy pizza with onions and olives might be another matter....

Funnily enough, I'm just about to order one!

Martin

I noticed the Pilot Knight was among Forbes' "posh pen" slide show. They list it at $45.00 and, although it's no doubt worth that and more, if they paid $45.00 they was robbed. What can capitalism be coming to...

Regards,
Eric

Not if I get the two Flighter sets I am negotiating for....

Obi,

you didn't mention that when OldGriz buys it, he will find the pen on some ebay deal and spend about $21.47 for both

french

... and they call the Knight a high-end pen, too. Well, at least they mentioned a pen the average person can afford.

PM

And at $45, they list it as a "high-end" pen....

EDIT: Well, Pendragon got to it before me!

I don't think so. The customers of these pens normally receive taxes or are exempted from payment, because they belong to ruling families, who otherwise "earn" their fortunes by exporting oil. Essentially we pay their (pen) bills at our gas stations.

The English philospoher Bertrand Russell (I hope I spelled his name right) was once asked what he thought of Nazi Germany's concept of a master race. After all, the whole german nation was speaking with one voice about their racial superiority. His reply, "Even when 70-million people say a stupid thing, it remains a stupid thing." - I love that quote.

In a like manner, there can be no defending buying, or selling, a pen for $730,000.