Starting To Collect Limited Editions

[Says]

Hi All,

 

Have a few 149s and my current favourite is an Heritage 1912.

I think I am ready to have fewer pens, but better pens. Limited Edition Montblancs are definitely on my radar.

However, there are so many to choose from, and they are seriously pricey, hence I can't afford to make a mistake with these..

 

Could anyone help recommend some models to start with? My budget for now is something below 2K.

Are there vast differences in the nibs? or is the difference mainly aesthetic (that would definitely make life easier for me)?

[Michael R.]

Most are 146 or 149 based; a few Boheme based.

 

So basically the nib and feed are identical.

 

Mostly it is looks and design, but material, weight, shape of the gripping section, balance, ... are different.

 

Not aure what you like, but I like the 1990‘s Writers Edition and Patrons of Art pens like the Hemingway, Christie, Octavian, Wilde, ... but also some of the recent designs.

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[Tom Heath]

I just repurchased the Oscar Wilde & Alexander Dums

 

having sold both of them too soon.

 

Enjoy your quest

[ygv]

I really like special and limited editions. True, too many to choose from.

[meiers]

Some day I will buy the Christie WE...

At this time the Mark Twain WE is my only and favourite writers edition fountain pen.

Edited February 18, 2019 by meiers

[thygreyt]

There are plenty to choose from! Writers and patrons started in 92! That's 54 pens in those two... Add all the special editions, or the great characters... And so on.

 

Look around, see what it is you like.

[Says]

Most are 146 or 149 based; a few Boheme based.

 

So basically the nib and feed are identical.

 

Mostly it is looks and design, but material, weight, shape of the gripping section, balance, ... are different.

 

Not aure what you like, but I like the 1990‘s Writers Edition and Patrons of Art pens like the Hemingway, Christie, Octavian, Wilde, ... but also some of the recent designs.

 

Cheers

 

Michael

 

Thanks Michael, Thats useful to know, so in that sense the nib wouldn't matter much in terms of performance.

I think Patron is waaayyy out of my budget for now... will have to shop around... so far, the James dean is looking interesting...

[kandarp]

Depends on what styles you like. My top choices would be

 

1. Agatha Christie
2. Hemingway
3. Proust
4. Carlo Collodi
5. Thomas Mann
6. Mark Twain
7. Schiller

You could even get lucky and pick up a few POAs for around this price (Steinway)

 

 

Thanks Michael, Thats useful to know, so in that sense the nib wouldn't matter much in terms of performance.

I think Patron is waaayyy out of my budget for now... will have to shop around... so far, the James dean is looking interesting...

[Michael R.]

With some luck some POA can be bought for around 1300-1500 €.

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[Says]

Wow, really?

 

Where should I be searching? Any recommendations on where to look out at?

besides classified here

Edited February 18, 2019 by Says

[kandarp]

I've seen the POA Steinway and Borghese on sale on ebay for under $2000. They are usually listed by well rated sellers with 1000s of positive reviews and based in Europe or Japan.

[Says]

Ok I managed to find a good price for Either a John Lennon (Silver) or a Peggy (Silver and black),

 

Both of which looks good..

 

Price aside, which would you prefer? I haven't managed to see both of these in real life, from what I see in the pictures, I suspect I might like peggy more,

but it is not easy to find pictures of the lennon Silver LE. the Donation pen keeps popping up in searches lol

 

Also, I see most of the pens on ebay is mainly M. Is this because M is easier to resell? Given the chance, I would definitely swab for a OBB or OBBB given the feel of the pen

[Michael R.]

Peggy

[Says]

arrrghhh

 

A 1914 just came into the mix... now I am torn betweeen what to buy..

I might get the 1914 first just because it is a lot less available

[Cyrille81]

You find most of the time medium nib to buy because it is the standard nib you find on the pens when you buy them in stores. After that you can request an exchange to another nib of your choice in the 6 weeks after you bought it for standard/special edition and during 1 year for the limited edition. If you buy them on eBay most of the time you won't be able to benefit of this free exchange because the booklet will be filled in with the first date the pen has been bought.

 

Between Lennon, Peggy and 1914 it depends if you want to use them or not. 1914 is amazing (specially the coral version limited to 333) but it is a huge pen and it is not necessary easy to write with it during long time. I write with mines for todo list, shopping list or short text but I won't use it to write a complete letter of several pages in the row. Between Peggy and Lennon I think I prefer the Peggy but I never saw the Lennon in real.

For the 1914 is it the black or the coral you want? If it is the black you can still find it pretty easily, the coral is more difficult.

[Says]

Hi,

 

I pulled the trigger on the 1914. Think I got a good deal about it.. will be swapping for a OBB nib probably... I like heft, so not too worried about it. Won’t be writing essays too. Just some notes and all.

 

Can only afford the black for now.. coral is waaaayyyyy too much to pay for a pen for me now...

 

Peggy I realize is much easier to find online and at lower prices. I can wait for that. Probably going to get it very soon though... it is very nice too...

 

Lennon is still a mystery, and can’t seem to find much references....

More input on that would be deeply appreciated...

 

Thanks guys for the advice!!

[LargeSofa]

Most POA 4810 can be had for under $2k... look at fine writing instrument actions (Bonhams used to do them, but the head guy there jumped to PBA Galleries).

 

My #1 choice for you is the Louis XIV - this an very early POA, they did not make a 888 series, so if you buy it you got the pen. It is stunning and overlooked IMO.

[Says]

Wow thanks for that... never even heard of it till now...looks mighty fine...

Doubt that is gold plating for the 4810 right?

[LargeSofa]

yes, it's gold plated... not solid gold... I think these were selling for like $1200 at the auctions not all that long ago. I was thinking of buying several at the time, but didn't.

[Freddy]

Marcel Proust..'99

A. Dumas..'96

Oscar Wilde..'94

Agatha Christie..'93 Ag and Vermeil

Hemingway..'92

Lorenzo De Medici..'92 {?}

The Dumas reminds me of the 139..and is a very comfortable pen for long writing sessions........

Fred..

who found a '64 P Washington Quarter in change this early am................