Hi,

some collector in The Netherlands is selling some of his pens on a Dutch internetsite.
He's selling some vintage MB pens, all in a great condition.

These are the modells he's selling:
#24
#14
#32
#74

The guy is living near my home, so this would be a good chance to get me a MB without the problems of doubts about the condition of the pen, shipping, Paypal and such.
The only problem is that I haven't used a MB in my life. So far I've only written with a Waterman Charleston and several vintage and new Pelikan FPs.

Do you think it's wise to get me one of these pens? Which model do you recommend? What should be a fair price?

Thanks for reading this and your replies!

Hi Ellen,

Buying a vintage MB fountain pen is a great move. I think vintage MBs are better than modern ones so i am sure you will enjoy the experience. I have several vintage ones (149, 146, 144, 252, 254, 264, 642) and they are all fantastic pens. As you can see though i don't have any of the ones that you mention. If you can just visit the seller and try out some of the pens he offers then i am sure you will make the right decision. I am not too sure as to how much you should be paying since these are models i don't have, but i am sure others will comment on that.

One thing is for sure, you will enjoy a nice vintage MB pen!

Good luck and let us know how it goes

Nikolaos

Hi Ellen,

All pens are piston fillers from the 60's of last century, so not really vintage. (I define vintage as more than 50 years old.) They are reliable writers but nothing very special.

The #14 is a Meisterstück with the Bishop's hat clip ring and is the larger size than the #12. It should have a 18k nib.
The #24 is from the second line of Montblanc with a 14k nib and looks – despite it has two cap rings and no small gold ring at the end of the barrel – the same as the #14.
The #32 is the smaller size with one cap ring and can have a gold colored steel nib. But some of the #3x pens did have 14k nibs as well. This pen is from the third line.
The #74 is a Meisterstück again with a rolled gold cap and also a 18k nib.
To see what kind of nib is in the pen one has to disassemble the pen as the assaying (hallmark) is at the "foot" of the nib. But one has to be carefull not to loose any parts and not to destroy the small gasket in the front section.

What pen is the right one for you? Well, it depends on the nib. You should choose the pen with the nib that suits you / your handwriting best.
Prices? In my opinion and as you are in Europe: if the pens are excellent or near mint with very little signs of use a #74 might go for € 250,00/300,00, a #14 for € 160,00/190,00, a #24 for € 100,00/130,00 and a #32 for around 80 Euros.

Good luck,
Axel

Uhm, How much do you think a celluloid Montblanc 146 G is worth from the 1950's? i can't find any information on it anywhere. Any ideas? Guesses?

Rhamiel-

Like any vintage pen, a significant portion of value will depend on the condition of the pen, coupled with other factors such as nib size, original box, etc. Early 50s 14x series pens had a flat feed, and this changed to a rounded feed in the mid 50s. Some people value the early 50s 14x more, some don't, but this can have an effect on value too. I've seen 146Gs sell from $300 to $450 (or more) on eBay, and as high as $600-800 from retail sites. You can go to www.penboard.de and see what some of the prominent German sellers have for sale there.

Regards, Eric

I bought an MB14 through FPN and couldn't be happier. It has a B nib and starts without fail (it is also a piston filler). The nib is very smooth.
Nick

Hmm. Well, i have one of the earlier ones, with the flat feed. But i fear that i spent too much for it. It is THE BEST Montblanc i have EVER used however and i have six of them. The thing doesn't skip a single bit, and writes smoothly. i suppose the 149 celluloid's are the ones that fetch the high prices?

If you like that pen, and is the best MB you have ever used, then maybe you didn't spend too much for it. I use a well worn 146G with an OB nib daily, and I have others in various nib sizes. But I repaired that OB myself and am proud of that.

Celluloid 149s are another story. I held one in my hands on Monday that was practically unused, and the seller wanted $2500. Most of the ones I've seen on retail sites go for $1750-$2000. A nice flat feed 149 with an OBBB nib sold on eBay for about $1700, but it needed to be restored. I bid on that pen after I was able to visit the seller who graciously allowed me to 'inspect' it. I'm a little sorry that I didn't win, but that's the way it goes. I think the winner took quite a risk since the auction photos weren't all that great, and didn't show all of the detail to determine the age and particulars of the pen.

Regards, Eric

I'd like a celluloid 144 or 146, but I can wait. I don't have any particular need to duke it out on price on a 149. Let other people do that.

I managed to fetch a celluloid 149 off a regional online trade market a week ago. Still awaiting it to arrive. Will post some pics to share when it arrives. I paid for near 750usd equivalent, hope it's a good piece. Recently have got those risk-taking behaviors on me..ha