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Montblanc Pope Julius II LE-review


goodguy

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What can a man write about a pen that is so beautiful and so unique.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture004-4.jpg

 

Well I guess I will have to start from the beginning.

Being a MB fan and collector I concentrate at the Writers Edition family.

I like the WE family because of 2 main reasons.

 

1.I love the way they look

2.As expensive as they are I can still afford getting them in a reasonable number to call it collection.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture007-3.jpg

 

Well I really wanted for at least one Patron Of The Art pen to be the leader of the WE pens.

I had to sell lots of pens to sponsor a POA pen but for me it is well worth the sacrifice.

I never liked all the POA pens but few of them are down right AMAZING and the Pope is among the most beautiful ones in my eyes. Since the Pope is still a wee easier to find it is also a bit cheaper.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture012-2.jpg

 

With the help of Bryant I found somebody that sells this pen and with very little negotiation the pen was sent to me.

To be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect as I never even see a POA pen in my own eyes.

When I got it I was happy to see the pen is MIB with the plastic wrapper still intact.

Well first the box is very simple but very dignified. This is a thing MB is good at. I find MB pen boxes are not overly loud but still beautiful and add to the total pen experience.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture013-3.jpg

 

Once you open the box you know what its all about, I lack the ability to real explain how beautiful this pen is, its amazing simply amazing and let me assure you its even more beautiful in real life then in the pictures.

The combination of white body and GF cover it is simply breath taking. The upper 888 model has a red body and I wonder how that looks but I love this 4810 design.

First the thing I like the most is the cap end. The dome looks like the roof of a church and has a bit of a heavy almost armored look. It makes the pen look a bit robust but also extremely elegant.

Then the open arches reveal the beautiful white body.

At the end of the cap and body you have again a big chunk of GF metal.

The whole pen has this combination of heavy top, middle and end while the open arches and white body make it looks lighter and more approachable. I really wish my English was better to explain exactly how I see the pens design but I think you got the point and I am sure the pictures will speak louder then me anyways.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture015-3.jpg

 

The pen has a metal section and thank god for that. If the section would have been made of white resin I wouldn’t get it since I would be afraid the white would tarnish when coming in contact with ink.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture016-2.jpg

 

This is not a light weight pen as you would imagine, all the metal does take its toll. It’s not overly heavy so for every day use the pen is just fine but this is not a pen you would want to take to school to use all day long. On the other hand a pen this expensive and flashy I wouldn’t advice to take to school anyways as it could easily disappear, stolen or get damaged.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture010-6.jpg

 

The pen is nicely balanced and feels comfortable in the hand. The golden overlay does feels a bit strange in the hand but very quickly you get used to it and don’t feel it at all.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture011-3.jpg

 

Like most MB pens this is piston filler and it holds more then enough ink for everyday use and more. The piston is very smooth and the button is comfortable to turn and use.

 

As for the nib I can’t say I was surprised from it. Just like few other MB pens that I have the nib is very smooth and comfortable. I really like Fine nibs and this nib is Medium. I find Medium nibs to be a bit smoother then F nibs but they are not as exciting as F nibs and this nib is just the same, it’s very smooth but lack a bit in the communication section. Altogether a great nib but I wish it was a Fine one.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture017-3.jpg

 

There is a tree etched on the nib, not sure why but I assume it’s connected to Pope Julius II. In any case it’s beautiful and impressive.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture018-1.jpg

 

Summery

 

In a way this pen is a bit of a De Ja Vue. It reminds me a bit of my late Visconti Romanica which also was a great impressive pen. Funny but both pens retail price is about the same but as used pens the Romanica is about half of that of the Pope.

The Pope is a work of art and a very flashy pen.

Its not a pen I would advice anyone to use everyday as its way to expensive and flashy but it’s a great user if you want to use it.

I am pretty sure every time you will take it out of the pocket to sign your Visa the lady at the cash register will have something to comment on the pen.

Me personally will keep it mostly in its box but I plan to use it in special occasions and will be very proud to do that.

 

Oh and cat picture will follow. Zuzik is very busy in the last few hours, there is a very tasty squirel outside and Zuzik is planing an attack on him. Its a bit hard since all the windows are closed but for him its just a small unimportant part of the overall attack.

 

 

Respect to all

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Stunning pen, enjoy it :)

“It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.” Voltaire

"'The French Soldier,' pronounced Rostopchin, 'has to be incited to battle by high-sounding phrases; the German must have it logically proved to him that it is more dangerous to run away than to advance; but the Russian soldier has to be held back, and urged to go slowly!'" War and Peace

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goodguy, I am very glad that you finally got this pen, enjoy it! It is a beautiful pen that I would love to have if not for the prohibitive price. Well, maybe it is better for the pen this way, because you know I would regrind the nib to a cursive italic immediately!

 

About the tree on the nib: It is an oak tree, which is the symbol of the noble Della Rovere family to which the Pope belonged. The tree was a part of his seal and coat of arms. The dome of the pen is also from his coat of arms. I believe it symbolises a ceremonial head-dress.

 

 

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Is that a 146 or 149 used for comparison?

 

Yummy pen. A B nib might tempt me in a non Visconti direction... :hmm1:

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Is that a 146 or 149 used for comparison?

 

Yummy pen. A B nib might tempt me in a non Visconti direction... :hmm1:

Its the 149 (the love of my life)

Sadly I had to sell my 146 to get the Kafka :crybaby:

Respect to all

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...The dome of the pen is also from his coat of arms. I believe it symbolises a ceremonial head-dress.

 

The lady is correct, of course. The top of the cap is modeled on a long abandoned Papal Crown, the "Tiara of the Pontifex Maximus." The tall beehive shaped crown was designed to be taller than any contemporaneous crown of Kings, Queens, or Princes - to show the Pope's higher authority over earthy rulers.

 

Congrats GoodGuy. Now ink that medium nib and write some special Christmas letters.

 

 

 

 

Ray

Atlanta, Georgia

 

Pilot Namiki Vanishing Point with Richard Binder ItaliFine 0.9mm/F Nib

Faber Castell's Porsche Design with Gold & Stainless Mesh in Binderized CI Broad nib

Visconti LE Divina Proporzione in Gold with Binderized CI nib

David Oscarson Valhalla in gray (Thor) with Broad Binderized CI nib

Michel Perchin LE Blue Serpent (reviewed) with Binderized CI nib

Montblanc 149 in Medium Binderized CI nib

Montblanc Pope Julius II 888 Edition (reviewed) in Bold Binderized CI nib

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Congrats GoodGuy. Now ink that medium nib and write some special Christmas letters.

Or Hanuka notes ;)

Respect to all

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Absolutely beautiful. On a scale of one to five this one gets five droolies!

 

:puddle: :puddle: :puddle: :puddle: :puddle:

 

You know what's funny about all this...goodguy's been talking about this pen for so long that when I opened this thread I felt like a friend going to the maternity ward to congratulate a friend on a new arrival! Haha...so is it a boy or a girl?

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Congratulations Amir! Im glad it all worked out... It really is an amazing pen. If this pen was made out of silver instead of gold, I would be after it for sure!

Enjoy it my friend!

Bry

Chatterley Luxuries and Pentime

 

Web: Chatterleyluxuries.com

 

Email: Info@chatterleyluxuries.com

 

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Goodguy, it's nice to follow your MB collection grow. Your reviews are always a pleasure to read.

This time I'm sorry but I am going to say: the 149 beat the POA 4-0.

 

- ink window

- stunning nib it's twice bigger

- dual tone nib

- classic look I can use it outside my room with no problem

 

Plus, I guess the 149 it's half the price!

Anyway, thank you for the review. And, yes, of course we are waiting for the strike to get the standard pic!

 

Cheers,

 

<font face="Verdana"><b><font color="#2f4f4f">d</font></b><font color="#4b0082">iplo</font></font><br /><br /><a href='http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showuser=6228' class='bbc_url' title=''><font face="Trebuchet MS"><br /><font size="4"><b><font color="#8b0000"><font color="#696969">Go</font> <font color="#006400">To</font> <font color="#a0522d">My</font> <font color="#4b0082">FPN</font> Profile!</font></b></font></font><br /></a>

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What can a man write about a pen that is so beautiful and so unique.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture004-4.jpg

 

Well I guess I will have to start from the beginning.

Being a MB fan and collector I concentrate at the Writers Edition family.

I like the WE family because of 2 main reasons.

 

1.I love the way they look

2.As expensive as they are I can still afford getting them in a reasonable number to call it collection.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture007-3.jpg

 

Well I really wanted for at least one Patron Of The Art pen to be the leader of the WE pens.

I had to sell lots of pens to sponsor a POA pen but for me it is well worth the sacrifice.

I never liked all the POA pens but few of them are down right AMAZING and the Pope is among the most beautiful ones in my eyes. Since the Pope is still a wee easier to find it is also a bit cheaper.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture012-2.jpg

 

With the help of Bryant I found somebody that sells this pen and with very little negotiation the pen was sent to me.

To be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect as I never even see a POA pen in my own eyes.

When I got it I was happy to see the pen is MIB with the plastic wrapper still intact.

Well first the box is very simple but very dignified. This is a thing MB is good at. I find MB pen boxes are not overly loud but still beautiful and add to the total pen experience.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture013-3.jpg

 

Once you open the box you know what its all about, I lack the ability to real explain how beautiful this pen is, its amazing simply amazing and let me assure you its even more beautiful in real life then in the pictures.

The combination of white body and GF cover it is simply breath taking. The upper 888 model has a red body and I wonder how that looks but I love this 4810 design.

First the thing I like the most is the cap end. The dome looks like the roof of a church and has a bit of a heavy almost armored look. It makes the pen look a bit robust but also extremely elegant.

Then the open arches reveal the beautiful white body.

At the end of the cap and body you have again a big chunk of GF metal.

The whole pen has this combination of heavy top, middle and end while the open arches and white body make it looks lighter and more approachable. I really wish my English was better to explain exactly how I see the pens design but I think you got the point and I am sure the pictures will speak louder then me anyways.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture015-3.jpg

 

The pen has a metal section and thank god for that. If the section would have been made of white resin I wouldn’t get it since I would be afraid the white would tarnish when coming in contact with ink.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture016-2.jpg

 

This is not a light weight pen as you would imagine, all the metal does take its toll. It’s not overly heavy so for every day use the pen is just fine but this is not a pen you would want to take to school to use all day long. On the other hand a pen this expensive and flashy I wouldn’t advice to take to school anyways as it could easily disappear, stolen or get damaged.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture010-6.jpg

 

The pen is nicely balanced and feels comfortable in the hand. The golden overlay does feels a bit strange in the hand but very quickly you get used to it and don’t feel it at all.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture011-3.jpg

 

Like most MB pens this is piston filler and it holds more then enough ink for everyday use and more. The piston is very smooth and the button is comfortable to turn and use.

 

As for the nib I can’t say I was surprised from it. Just like few other MB pens that I have the nib is very smooth and comfortable. I really like Fine nibs and this nib is Medium. I find Medium nibs to be a bit smoother then F nibs but they are not as exciting as F nibs and this nib is just the same, it’s very smooth but lack a bit in the communication section. Altogether a great nib but I wish it was a Fine one.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture017-3.jpg

 

There is a tree etched on the nib, not sure why but I assume it’s connected to Pope Julius II. In any case it’s beautiful and impressive.

 

http://i516.photobucket.com/albums/u330/alfa170a/Picture018-1.jpg

 

Summery

 

In a way this pen is a bit of a De Ja Vue. It reminds me a bit of my late Visconti Romanica which also was a great impressive pen. Funny but both pens retail price is about the same but as used pens the Romanica is about half of that of the Pope.

The Pope is a work of art and a very flashy pen.

Its not a pen I would advice anyone to use everyday as its way to expensive and flashy but it’s a great user if you want to use it.

I am pretty sure every time you will take it out of the pocket to sign your Visa the lady at the cash register will have something to comment on the pen.

Me personally will keep it mostly in its box but I plan to use it in special occasions and will be very proud to do that.

 

Oh and cat picture will follow. Zuzik is very busy in the last few hours, there is a very tasty squirel outside and Zuzik is planing an attack on him. Its a bit hard since all the windows are closed but for him its just a small unimportant part of the overall attack.

 

 

One Word: Mesmerizing!

 

That is one of the most beautiful and grand pens I've seen. Amazing!

 

 

A merciful heart is the greatest of all possessions.

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Congratulations goodguy!

I'm happy that you wanted to share your joy. Very nice pics!

Enjoy!

Petra

*****the dandelion blog is right here*****

*****the dandelion flickr is right here*****

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We want the cat, we want the cat. It's not official until the cat says it is! I hope you're going to bring this pen (ant the cat?) to the Dec. 13 breakfast meeting. Are you sure you don't need to sell your old-style Paragon to finance this purchase?

Bryan

 

"The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes." Winston S. Churchill

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We want the cat, we want the cat. It's not official until the cat says it is! I hope you're going to bring this pen (ant the cat?) to the Dec. 13 breakfast meeting. Are you sure you don't need to sell your old-style Paragon to finance this purchase?

Well not my Paragon but I am concidering to sell my Ogiva.

Respect to all

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I guess it's to be expected that Zuzik the Hunter is a bit distracted by the presence of a squirrel, but we still want the paw of approval.

 

The Ogiva will be worth scanning the classifieds for, if you do decide to sell! I reckon that would be a hard one to let go, though.

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Congratulations on the beautiful pen! Pretty packing too! A pen that size deserves a 149 sized nib, though. However all in all, very nice purchase!

Montblanc 145, F nib
Faber Castell E-Motion in Pearwood, F nib
Montblanc 149, F nib
Visconti Divina Proporzione 1618, S nib
Montblanc Cool Blue Starwalker, EF nib
Montblanc Solitaire Silver Barley BP
Montblanc Rouge et Noir Coral, M nib

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