Looking For The Montblanc Proust Ballpoint Pen

[kirkmc]

I very much like the Montblanc writers' editions, and already have the Balzac and Shakespeare. I prefer getting the ballpoint versions, because I'm likely to use them more often. (And I do.)

 

Other than eBay, where can I look for the Proust ballpoint? Are there any pen-specific auction sites that I could check? I see it on eBay at around £1000, and that's way above my budget...

Edited December 4, 2016 by kirkmc

[kirkmc]

Also, there are a couple listed as new on eBay. is it possible that there are real new units this long after it was initially sold? Would these be from people who held on to them as an investment?

[Ghost Plane]

You were doing fine until that last line. Want to buys should be in Classifieds. 30 days + 30 posts not in Chatter will get you there.

 

Meanwhile, tell us some more about why this pen calls to you.

 

Edited to add - new old stock surfaces for years after pens stop production.

[kirkmc]

Sorry, I didn't know that such a request was out of bounds. I've deleted the last line.

 

I think it's very elegant, and it fits well with Proust's style. I'm a big fan of his writing, and I like the various writers' edition pens. This one being sterling silver stands out from the others. (I haven't looked at them all; I assume there are some others that are silver or gold.)

Edited December 4, 2016 by kirkmc

[kirkmc]

Edited to add - new old stock surfaces for years after pens stop production.

 

 

Thanks. Are there any worries about this pen being counterfeited? I've been reading about how common counterfeit Montblancs are, but I don't know if it affects this type of more complex pen rather than just the Meisterstücks.

Edited December 4, 2016 by kirkmc

[meiers]

 

 

Thanks. Are there any worries about this pen being counterfeited? I've been reading about how common counterfeit Montblancs are, but I don't know if it affects this type of more complex pen rather than just the Meisterstücks.

Be careful whom you buy from. The answer is yes.

[meiers]

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/montblanc-proust

 

Buying used is an option. I'd say you could get one used for less than those eBay offers

Have you searched eBay to see what the market value is? To do so include "sold items" in your search.

 

http://m.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Marcel+Proust+ball+point&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1

 

I'd also try a want-to-buy ad here on FPN.

Shopping around and being patient will pay off.

 

 

 

Edited to add: Fountain pen hospital is an outstanding dealer. Check their back room for used pens.

http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/index_showcase.asp?bod=manufacturers/manufacturer.asp?MFG=35

Edited December 4, 2016 by meiers

[kirkmc]

Thanks. I know about the sold listings on eBay; interestingly, there are only two sold, though I don't know how far back they go when you search.

 

As for Fountain Pen Hospital, I'm in the UK, so I'd rather find a seller on this side of the pond and not pay import duties.

[meiers]

They have customers all over the world.

[kirkmc]

They have customers all over the world.

 

 

I'm sure they do. I just don't want to have to pay high import duties.

[Ghost Plane]

Currencies are all over the place, aren't they? Are you going to get hit ordering from EU sources? There are good vendors who post here on the board & might be able to source one.

[kirkmc]

Yes, the GBP is quite low right now, so I'll be paying a premium. I've seen two listed at well-known vendors, one twice as expensive as the other. I've made an offer for the cheaper one...

[Ghost Plane]

Best of luck!

[KJY]

Be careful with this pen. The fountainpen has weaknesses.Where the section meets the barrel (resin -> silver) there can be leakage. For a ballpoint you won't have the leakage but maybe still have the cracks??

[kirkmc]

Really, that's worrisome. Thanks for the heads up.

[meiers]

Show it off when it comes in.