75th anniversary 149

[sunnerd]

I saw a 75th anniv 149 sold in ebay for $1425 yesterday. Note that for this model there are 2 versions - one with white snowcap, gold and called "standard edition" usually around $700-800 and the other with MOP snowcap, rosegold nib and called "limited edition" usually $1500.

The one sold in ebay is a "standard edition" (white snowcap). I wonder what the buyer was thinking??? Or, has the market picked up so much to double the price on a standard edition within 3 months? Note that the successful buyer has >200 feedbacks... What's going on?

 

P.S. here is the link. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280434036914

Edited December 14, 2009 by sunnerd

[Multiechelon]

Hi Kai,

 

If I had to guess, I would say the buyer made a mistake, thinking it was a bargain price for the LE when in reality it is the SE.

 

I can't remember if SE stands for special edition or standard edition, but you are right that it typically sells around $700-$800. You might have knowledge of more sales than I do, but my mental model is that the LE typically sells in the $2,000 to $2,500 range. I have seen a few LE sales close over $2,000.

 

I don't know if it was on purpose or not but the auction was vague on whether it was the SE or LE. Of course, for anyone that looks it is most definitely a SE. The seller sniped in at the last minute so I am guessing they just did not realize the mistake. That is an expensive mistake.

 

Sean

[Pen Nut]

erm........whoops !! Expensive one that and I agree its a case of mistaken identity or the bidder simply fell in love with it! Would go for the former.

[kaisede]

differently mistake in LE with SE.

Edited December 14, 2009 by kaisede

[yachtsilverswan]

My experience has been that the MB 75th LE (mother of pearl star and rose gold trim, limited to 1,924 pieces of each model) usually sells for between $1,700 and $2,200. I paid $1,750 recently buying from a FPN Member.

 

I agree that the SE (Special Edition) version usually sells for the full retail Boutique price of a new 149.

 

Interestingly, a 75th 149 LE sold a few days ago from a US seller with good feedback for $1,000 - with 17 bids from 7 bidders. That's a new low from my searches over the past year:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Montblanc-75th-anniversary-fountain-pen-rose-gold_W0QQitemZ260520502599QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca83b6547#ht_954wt_909

 

Someone got a good deal. (And someone got a bad deal.)

Edited December 14, 2009 by yachtsilverswan

[karmakoda]

When an item sells for an exceptionally high price on eBay, it is interesting to note that other bidders were involved in achieving the price, in this case 13 bids and 4 other bidders.

It is especially fascinating when the same/similar item may be selling for considerably less in another auction listing.

This year, on eBay, I bought a Montblanc 34, with a perfect broad nib, for $80.00. At the same time, another MB 34 sold for $248.00, same nib.

It is hard to imagine that someone spending $1425.00, for a pen, is a beginner on eBay. And, as pointed out 288 feedback. Not a beginner.

Had to have it.

Edited December 14, 2009 by karmakoda

[Multiechelon]

I took a quick look at the bidding history and it is pretty easy to see what happened.

 

The auction ended on Dec 14. B_37 (where the number denotes the feedback) bid only on Dec 12 and ended at their max of $800. So B_37 understood this was a SE and bid accordingly.

 

On Dec 12 and 13, two other bidders, B_75 and B_14, bid against one another several times. B_14 started bidding in $100 increments matching B_75 at $1300 and going one better at $1400. B_14 did not bid again after B_75 was beaten.

 

The next day, on Dec 14, B_288 sniped in with five seconds left in the auction. While B_288 could not know if other bidders were going to snipe in, B_288 could have easily guessed that B_14’s max was really $1400 since B_14’s bids were in $100 increments and there was a tie at $1300.

 

So I think it is pretty easy to infer that B_288 did not realize this was a LE. I think B_288 just saw that a 75th Anniversary 149 had been bid to $1400 and did not carefully verify it was a LE; I have bought from Monica before and I know she is an honest person, but her description certainly seems intentionally vague.

 

As Karmakoda points out, what is surprising about this auction is what possessed B_75 and B_14 to bid how they bid. From their bid history, B_14 is a novice ebayer. I can’t infer anything about B_75, other than B_75 was incredibly fortunate to not purchase at this price.

 

Sean

[sunnerd]

Thanks guys. The conclusion is that no the price of the 149 75th anniv SE has not jumped.

Achieving that price was most likely a mistake. I would not be surprised that the "winner" would balk.

It's an expensive mistake.

So no, I can't make a quick buck on my 75th 149 SE

[Yurigia]

I have sold in the past two brand new 149 rosegold LE and probably in the next week I have another one for sale, I sell these two at 1600 and 1500 euro and I think it is a good price for a pen like this... you must think that some professional seller purpose this model of pen at 3800 USD (naturally I don't say the name for pivacy reasons...)...!!

 

I think that this 149 LE is one of the pen that have more prospective of increase his value in the future, and for two reasons: the 149 is the status symbol pen of Montblanc and a lot of pens love and know his shape and more it is limited in really low number of pieces (1924) and in my opinion in the future it can be a really higher value than today... :clap1:

[meiers]

It is worth and it will be worth whatever people are willing to pay.

 

Matt

 

 

[Ed Ronax]

I have sold in the past two brand new 149 rosegold LE and probably in the next week I have another one for sale, I sell these two at 1600 and 1500 euro and I think it is a good price for a pen like this...

 

Guilty and I thought at a very good price, the only other I could find was in the fareast and they wanted $3800.

[georges zaslavsky]

Always ask for papers and certificates of origin as well as box and invoice of purchase when you have to deal with a 75th limited edition 149 especially.

[smallhands]

Here's the story on the 75th Anniversary 149. I really appreciate all the interest. Wandering around the Philadelphia area as I often do and being a lover of MB fountain pens (I think it's genetic - in my and my father's eyes & hands, there just isn't any equal)I wandered a few weeks ago into a jewelry store that I knew kept a small stock of Mont Blancs which they ordinarily sell at about 40% list. Always worth an occasional look. The store had this day on display a routine stock of Doue(s), mostly rollerballs, etc. Well, what every collector dreams of happened. I told the nice lady that I'd be back, etc. She said "Wait!" I think I have another one or two "Old" ones. From under the counter in original box (but no papers) was the Anniversary Edition. 18k rose gold nib, obviously never inked, the piston actually stuck a little in the barrel (never been wet). The box is absolutely original and states a price of $450.00 but has two model numbers - Meisterstuck 147,Spec Anniversary Edition,and a little further down: "fountain pen 146, black". High rose gold top with smallish star. Magnificent!. The store didn't want it, knew nothing about it and charged their usual 40% off list which on the box was $450.00. Well, stuff happens. The pen's grandpop is obviously a 146, likely about 20 years old, never used. Of course, I use it every day and will hopefully pass it on as my father did his. I'm still confused by the "147", but I can live with it.

Great cite. Many thanks out there.

smallhands

[emes441]

Here's the story on the 75th Anniversary 149. I really appreciate all the interest. Wandering around the Philadelphia area as I often do

smallhands

 

Do you mind to share what store in Philly?