Found Pen

[iandelli]

Hello!

I found this Montblanc pen at a small market in Italy for very very cheap.

Probably I will give to my girlfriend as a present, but before I wanted to know the retail value or if it had any importance.

I naturally have no idea about this manner, please help!

[lowfiwhiteguy]

That is a Montblanc 149. Amazing pen, Montblanc's top of the line. You'd probably be able to resell it for close to $450 USD today, provided it's in working order. I'm unsure of what year that one is, but someone will be along to confirm its age shortly I'm sure.

How much did you pay for it?

 

Also: I can tell that the feed is misaligned with the nib, as it peeks out from behind the nib in the first photo. So, that will require some professional service to correct, most likely, but in my opinion it would certainly be worthwhile to have it put back into working order. Make sure the piston turns freely and smoothly, as well.

Edited April 9, 2014 by lowfiwhiteguy

[Charles Rice]

 

 

Also: I can tell that the feed is misaligned with the nib, as it peeks out from behind the nib in the first photo. So, that will require some professional service to correct, most likely, but in my opinion it would certainly be worthwhile to have it put back into working order. Make sure the piston turns freely and smoothly, as well.

You can probably re-align the feed yourself if you do it s l o w l y. I had the same problem myself and it's not difficult at all. But if you don't feel up to it, I'm more than willing - at great sacrifice - to trade you even up for an Esterbrook.

 

You'd give it to your girl friend!?!?!?!?!?!

Edited April 9, 2014 by Charles Rice

[Charles Rice]

Seriously though, even if the feed is a little off, it will write just fine.

[Lyander0012]

The feed looks to be more than slightly off, in my opinion. Then again, considering how wet a writer Montblancs tend to be, perhaps this'll actually help normalize inkflow. That aside, my OCD senses are saying that regardless of performance, you really ought to align it

 

And I concur with most of the sentiments here. You must really love your lady to give her a MB149! It's considered by many to be a grail pen, and vintage models are often more sought out than current-production ones! That's a pen that could increase in value over time, Make sure she takes care of it )

 

 

Cheers!

 

Kevin

[iandelli]

well then i wont give it to my girlfriend!! ahah

thanks for the help!

In response to "lowfiwhiteguy" I got the pen literally for free as an extra piece to motivate me to conclude a larger transaction.

 

Does anybody know a good place in London where i can bring the pen to be fixed and looked at in hand to specify its year and real value??

 

plus i found this little inscription saying "GERMANY" at the end of it, maybe that will help identify it.

Sorry again for my ignorance!!

http://oi58.tinypic.com/2qiql8m.jpg

 

http://oi58.tinypic.com/2qiql8m.jpg

[Lyander0012]

Montblanc pens are of German manufacture, so that isn't much of a surprise, haha. I believe you might have better luck over at the Montblanc subforum?

 

And if this is the kind of "free gift" you'd get as incentive to conclude a larger transaction, then I am definitely reconsidering what line of work I'll be getting into, haha. I won't bother prying, but congratulations on the excellent find nonetheless.

 

By the by, how's the piston work? The nib/feed alignment is easily sorted even by those with no experience whatsoever, but a faulty MB piston will require some specialized tools.

[Scribblesoften]

There is a Montblanc Boutique at Harrod's in London. They should be able help you with questions and repairs.

[Chrissy]

Does anybody know a good place in London where i can bring the pen to be fixed and looked at in hand to specify its year and real value??

 

If I was you I would take it to either Montblanc boutique Old Bond Street or Canary Wharf depending on which part of London you live in.

 

Either of those boutiques would send it off to Hamburg to be fixed for you, and it will come back looking like a brand new pen for £60

[theverdictis]

Great find, lucky you! I need to get over to Italy and get one of these for free ha ha.

 

There's also a pen store across the road from Hamleys the toy shop, you could always take it there and see what they suggest.

 

Ben

[Charles Rice]

You might find the following link very interesting. From your photos I think your pen comes from the mid 70s.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/170282-dating-montblanc-149s/page-7?hl=dates

 

I don't recall exactly when I bought one new that looks like yours - as far as I can tell from the photos - but it was sometime around 1978.

Edited April 12, 2014 by Charles Rice

[iandelli]

thanks for the picture! very helpful!

 

I brought the pen for realignment to the Montblanc Boutique on old bond street, they said they will let me know soon with a quote!

 

 

As i collect typewriters and not pens, if anybody is interested in the pen let me know!

Is Ebay the best place to sell items like these? or specialised sites are better?

[iandelli]

from the info you gave me with the photo, I assume my pen dates in-between 1969 and 1972.

 

-solid ebonite feed

-14c tri color nib

-single unit barrel

-black plastic filler threads

[Charles Rice]

So, how much did it set you back?

[Lyander0012]

thanks for the picture! very helpful!

 

I brought the pen for realignment to the Montblanc Boutique on old bond street, they said they will let me know soon with a quote!

 

 

As i collect typewriters and not pens, if anybody is interested in the pen let me know!

Is Ebay the best place to sell items like these? or specialised sites are better?

 

Specialized sites offer more reasonable prices, and buyers are less likely to get scammed, knowledgeable as they usually are. Ebay is a good place as well, but that's your decision entirely.

 

And as for a potential buyer... *coughPMsentcough*