[Fantasy] Montblanc 149 Demonstrator On The Bay

[Calamus plasticus]

What do you experts think about this?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Montblanc-149-Demonstrator-Fountain-Pen-and-Demonstrator-Pad-BOTH-VERY-RARE-/262064337980?hash=item3d0440743c

Edited September 25, 2015 by Calamus plasticus

[jar]

Remarkable good shape.

[zaddick]

First off... shhhh! Let me put some offers in first.

 

I am curious as to the all platinum trim. Makes me think it is a fantasy pen and not a factory escapee like many of the others seen here. Another such pen with a 75th anniversary 149 nib sold for something like $1400 to $1500 not too long ago.

 

Money might be better off as the start of a savings fund towards a genuine skeleton pen.

[zaddick]

Also making me winder about it being a genuine MB: No sealant around the nib collar, no ink window lines, and the cap rings seem to be independent unlike the typical setup where they are connected.

 

It is still neat looking though.

[Calamus plasticus]

Makes me think it is a fantasy pen and not a factory escapee like many of the others seen here..

My thoughts exactly...

[ian1964]

Now this is pretty ordinary looking compared to the Pelikan 800 demo.

[Soot]

There have been MANY of these fantasy pens flowing around just this year-- it seems that people have found a way to make these to a make a profit. I have already seen a few 149s and a 146 going around, and one green demonstrator 149.

[Calamus plasticus]

Isn't it illegal to sell a fantasy pen as if it were a true Montblanc?

I don' know in the USA, but in Europe Montblanc would sue you for sure :-)

[Soot]

All fantasy pens... say good-bye to the exclusiveness of factory demonstrators and that ridiculous pricing...

Edited September 24, 2015 by Soot

[zaddick]

Thanks for that picture Soot. It makes it easier to ignore the pens.

 

I guess all the high prices and scarcity makes it easy to suck people in.

[slippery when wet]

Somebody thought it was worth the money, as its been SOLD

[jcm499]

What is a "fantasy pen?" Are there now fake MB piston fillers out there?

[Calamus plasticus]

"Best offer accepted"... Hmmm... Half the price? 75%?

Still a lot for a plastic pen... this world is a little nuts...

[zaddick]

What is a "fantasy pen?" Are there now fake MB piston fillers out there?

A fantasy pen is one that the factory never created, but in the style of genuine manufacturer pens. Often they also use parts from original pens and different bodies, colors, or materials that were never offered.

 

This particular pen might have been all MB guts, including the piston, but all the plastic was made by someone else. If done in the right spirit (not trying to pass as genuine) and by a real craftsman, the results can be very satisfying. You see more of these in the Parker 51 pen shape with fantastic creations by Kulloc, Torelli, and Prather. They give you demonstrators that never existed, wild colors, beautifully hammered caps and other combinations the factory could have never dreamed of.

 

This one was passed as genuine MB and that is definitely illegal. It used the name and the copyrighted logo on the cap cone. Both are big no nos as far as MB is concerned.

[zaddick]

"Best offer accepted"... Hmmm... Half the price? 75%?

Still a lot for a plastic pen... this world is a little nuts...

My pure guess is about $1600, given the sale price for the earlier pen.

[kazoolaw]

Check The Mall - Tilburg Penshow Tray 01 - Pen #1. Or #3 for that matter.

[Calamus plasticus]

My pure guess is about $1600, given the sale price for the earlier pen.

Yeah, that's a good guess. It's about the price of a marvellous celluloid-sterling rings-ebonite feed-telescopic piston- 50's Montblanc 149... but, well, if the buyer wanted to expend that money on that pen, I hope he/she enjoys it :-)

I certainly would't pay that for a fantasy pen...

Edited September 25, 2015 by Calamus plasticus

[kazoolaw]

Surprised no one commented on the pens referenced in post #16, above.

 

 

gary

[zaddick]

Surprised no one commented on the pens referenced in post #16, above.

 

gary

I think that is because the source is a known entity. Max has a great reputation and a strong relationship with MB. If he indicates that a demonstrator is in fact from the factory, odds are pretty good they are. I would have confidence in his expertise and honesty. I am also not sure if he was representing it as a genuine MB or not.

 

The green striated pens are a bit of a special animal, but still a fantasy pen or recreation. He was able to source vintage green striated celluloid rods and uses all original parts from vintage 1950s donor pens. So while not a true survivor of the time (and MB never made a green striated 149), they are about as high quality and "new vintage" as one can get. I am also pretty sure he does not represent these pens as genuine, vintage MB as crafted by the factory.

[Michael R.]

The Demonstrator is original MB.

 

And there is nothing wrong with "tribute" pens if advertised correctly!

 

Cheers

 

Michael

Edited October 1, 2015 by Michael R.