Newest 149

[Barry Gabay]

For many years, the 149 has been my favorite post-WWII fountain pen, surpassing all others in reliability, comfort, and beauty. Along with the 1920s senior Parker Duofold and Parker 51, it is one of my top 3 favorite fountain pens of all time.

 

Because the 149 seems to perform forever if properly maintained, I have hesitated to buy new ones. In fact, I recently bought my first new one since the 1990s. This new model had interested me since its introduction and having finally seen it in person, decided to splurge on my retired public school teacher's pension and get one. A very friendly guy who had filled it once or twice gave me a generous deal. Filled so little, I suppose it qualifies as nearly new.

 

It is my youngest 149 by many years. The next youngest one dates from 1985-90. Photos below of the nearly new 149 Platinum with EF nib.

Edited January 25, 2020 by Barry Gabay

[Tom Kellie]

For many years, the 149 has been my favorite post-WWII fountain pen, surpassing all others in reliability, comfort, and beauty. Along with the 1920s senior Parker Duofold and Parker 51, it is one of my top 3 favorite fountain pens of all time.

 

Because the 149 seems to perform forever if properly maintained, I have hesitated to buy new ones. In fact, I recently bought my first new one since the 1990s. This new model had interested me since its introduction and having finally seen it in person, decided to splurge on my retired public school teacher's pension and get one. A very friendly guy who had filled it once or twice gave me a generous deal. Filled so little, I suppose it qualifies as nearly new.

 

It is my youngest 149 by many years. The next youngest one dates from 1985-90. Photos below of the nearly new 149 Platinum with EF nib.

 

~ Barry Gabay:

 

Congratulations!

Your new arrival looks mighty fine (pun intended) in the images.

Has it been writing well for you?

What a terrific way to begin the 2020 writing year!

There's a Platinum 149 OBBB on my writing desk.

As it happens, I've been seriously contemplating the possibility of a second Platinum 149.

Your post above, with compelling images, increases the likelihood that I might follow your example.

Happy Writing!

Tom K.

[jameswatts]

Congratulations ! I have just one 149 — a late 90s model — that have never been out of ink since I bought it.

[Tom Kellie]

Congratulations ! I have just one 149 — a late 90s model — that have never been out of ink since I bought it.

 

~ jameswatts:

 

What a well-loved 149!

I'm glad to know of that.

Tom K.

[Estycollector]

Congratulations on your new MB 149.

[max dog]

Congrats Barry. I love the massive nib on mine, just a joy to look at as I write, and you know what, when I return to my desk at work and see it sitting there, it is one super elegant looking pen! It's girth and profile just look like perfection, and the black precious resin shine so beautifully like no other. After using it awhile, it's size feels like perfection in the hand, everything else just feels diminutive in comparison.

[Tom Kellie]

Congrats Barry. I love the massive nib on mine, just a joy to look at as I write, and you know what, when I return to my desk at work and see it sitting there, it is one super elegant looking pen! It's girth and profile just look like perfection, and the black precious resin shine so beautifully like no other. After using it awhile, it's size feels like perfection in the hand, everything else just feels diminutive in comparison.

 

~ max dog:

 

I love what you've eloquently expressed above.

Thank you for posting that in this thread.

You truly appreciate the loveliness of 149s, as does Barry Gabay.

Tom K.

[WLSpec]

Nice! Congrats!

[KBeezie]

Congratulations ! I have just one 149 — a late 90s model — that have never been out of ink since I bought it.

Just one 149 here as well, specifically 1990 (early plastic feed, two-part barrel, brass piston, two-tone 14K nib). Had to give it a disassemble and good cleaning, and put it back together with a sealant (rosin) since previously was 'sealed' with silicone grease, which course isn't a sealant and was perplexing having red ink coming out of the seam between the barrel and grip after a while while the pen was inked with blue. Basically the grip section was filling with ink as it escaped the threads of the nib unit.

 

All back together and working well now though. I wasn't particularly aiming to get a 149 anytime soon, and really didn't have much interest in them, previously had a 146 and was kind of 'meh' to me. Main reason I grabbed this one is because it's an older nib with a little more bounce to it. So the likelihood of me getting another 149 is very slim unless it was offered with a unique nib (ie: semi-flex or some kind of specific grind).

 

 

It's certainly the biggest nib on a pen I ever owned...

 

[fpupulin]

Bellissima! Nuovissima and tradizionalissima! And with that great EF nib... Well done, Barry!

Edited January 28, 2020 by fpupulin

[logantrky]

Congratulations Barry! The 149 in platinum is one of the most stunning pens IMO. I would like to pick one up eventually myself. That nib is a stunner!

[hari317]

Congratulations Barry!

[meiers]

Dear Barry!

Reading your post made my day. I have been looking for one, and your post has indeed helped me make up my mind. Kind regards, Matt

[Gilberto Castaneda]

Enjoy it in good health Barry.

Cheers from Tampico, Mexico.

[Nathanb]

Congrats on your new purchase - i have a 149P with an EF nib as well and enjoy it daily

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

~ Nathanb:

 

What a lovely nib quartet!

Thank you for posting such an eye-pleasing portrait.

BTW: I like that graph paper.

Tom K.

[Solitaire146]

Congratulations. It's a beautiful pen. I'm contemplating purchasing a platinum 149 very soon. I think platinum is the way to go on most of the Meisterstucks nowadays...