Newbie Needing Some Info On A Prince Regent

[chariotdriver]

Within the last few hours I have been enlightened into the world of fine pens, never knew that there were pens so nice.

I have been approached by a customer looking to sale a MONTBLANC PRINCE REGENT FOUNTAIN PEN .925 with 23.5 K gold over the Silver.

The issue is that he told me he purchased it new in 2006-Or 2007 and I'm reading that this pen was made in 1995. Would it be common for a pen to be in stock

in a Fine Jewelry Store (New Orleans LA) for so long without being sold?

Also he has had some engraving done to the smooth bar that runs down the pen cap. Is there a way to calculate the value of this pen as I'm assuming that with the pen being vermeil

and engraved that it would be hard to fix with a removal of the engraving.

 

Any ideas as where to turn would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Phil

[yachtsilverswan]

Hi Phil -

 

Welcome.

 

Starting your adventure with Fountain Pens by buying a Prince Regent is a big step. It's like buying a Ferrari as your first car.

 

The Prince Regent is the 1995 release of the Patron of the Arts Series honoring His Majesty King George IV. Some of Montblanc's limited edition pens spent years on the display shelves of small luggage, gift, and jewelry stores, because few people came to those stores wanting to spend thousands on a pen. The high end pens move faster in the Montblanc Boutiques.

 

There were two versions of the pen commonly available.

 

The 4810 Edition (4,810 copies worldwide) was crafted of blue resin and a fretwork of vermeil (gold plate over sterling silver) in the Regency style.

 

The 888 Edition was also crafted of blue resin, but with a solid 18k yellow gold fretwork and capped by seven rubies and three diamonds.

 

Both versions of the pen are piston filled, and were most commonly shipped with a Medium width nib.

 

In June 2010, Bonham's Auction of Fine Writing Instruments in New York sold one of each version: the 4810 version hammered down at $2,440 USD and the 888 version hammered at $4,636 USD, both inclusive of buyer's premiums.

 

My advice, look at a nice Montblanc 149 first, and visit a Montblanc Boutique to try out every available nib size. You can find your nearest MB Boutique here: http://www.montblanc.com/boutiquelocator/index_boutiquelocator.php

 

Have fun in your quest.

[Joane]

I have bought many new old stock pens languishing in pen stores or jewelry stores for years and years, often at a discount when the store decided to put them on sale. That part seems quite plausible to me. As to the engraving and the value, I'll leave that to others more knowledgeable on those matters than I.

[yachtsilverswan]

The engravng decreases the value of the pen 10% - 20%, but NEVER buy a fountain pen as an investment. Only rarely do fountain pens (even high end fountain pens) increase in value. Buy a pen to use and enjoy and buy a pen to appreciate the craftsmanship and the connection to writers of the past.

 

It might be possible to have the engraved clip replaced by sending the pen to the factory in Hamburg, but that project will not be cheap - expect to pay $300-$500 for the replacement clip, and expect to wait two months for the turnaround.

[chariotdriver]

Thanks for all the input, that was quick. Nice being on a site that has many willing to share.

The current owner does not have any other items with the pen, at all.

I must comment that the gold layer over sterling silver must be heavy as even the engraving did not cut through the 23.5 karat.

That is what made it hard for me to understand what the metal was made of, as I knew 925 was sterling, but the engraving threw me off a little while.

 

Are there instructions for replacing the ink cartridge?

I noticed that the bottom end of the pen unscrews to a point and am wondering what I would have to do to get this pen working again

as it has had ink at one time but is not working presently.

Is this something that I can do or do I need to take this somewhere to be refilled.

Again thanks.

Phil

Edited December 10, 2010 by chariotdriver

[daenghafez]

Are there instructions for replacing the ink cartridge?

I noticed that the bottom end of the pen unscrews to a point and am wondering what I would have to do to get this pen working again

as it has had ink at one time but is not working presently.

Is this something that I can do or do I need to take this somewhere to be refilled.

Again thanks.

Phil

 

It's a piston filler pen where you have to draw ink from flask.

[chariotdriver]

Are there instructions for replacing the ink cartridge?

I noticed that the bottom end of the pen unscrews to a point and am wondering what I would have to do to get this pen working again

as it has had ink at one time but is not working presently.

Is this something that I can do or do I need to take this somewhere to be refilled.

Again thanks.

Phil

 

It's a piston filler pen where you have to draw ink from flask.

 

Told you I was a newbie,..

I know this must seem simple to you guys and gals but any idea as to where I can read up on how to refill via a flask and where to purchase one, ink, etc ( things I do not even know that I need to ask at this point)

Phil

[yachtsilverswan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FF0E_QfE3Y

 

And a more detailed version with another type of pen (Converter Filled): https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/176661-youve-heard-it-all-before/page__view__findpost__p__1777610

 

And Montblanc's own instructions for filling, cleaning, and care: http://www.montblanc.com/3448.php

 

You can buy Montblanc brand fountain pen ink at any Montblanc Boutique or at any Montblanc Authorized Dealer, or through the Montblanc website at www.refills.montblanc.com or https://refills.montblanc.com/a3.php?PHPSESSID=2b7ef614ad5694358e6b4f9feeebb04c&levelOne=1&levelTwo=1

 

There are other brands of ink, many of which are acceptable - but make sure you use FOUNTAIN PEN INK - not India Ink, not Drawing Ink, not Stamping ink.

 

Have fun.

Edited December 10, 2010 by yachtsilverswan

[J Sorrell]

I cannot believe I'm doing this again, I sound like a broken record, apologies to all in advance but re the engraving issue contact a member here called Eckiethump.

 

Eric will give you sound advice on this issue, his work is top notch, he has a proven track record with regards to engraving removal as Shrinknib and I can testify to.

 

And most of all, good luck!

[chariotdriver]

Thanks for the link to Youtube on the filling station.

Also on the contact for the engraving removal.

I used to own a Yag laser for preforming jewelry repair (Hurricane Katrina took it away) and thought, or may have heard, that it

may be possible to "blend" the surface of a engraved piece back, somewhat, into it's original form without the need to remove very much metal.

 

Basically the laser "floats" the highs and lows of the engraving back even, or level, with the need for little work.

Not sure how it would react to vermeil piece such as this Prince Regent.

 

Again thanks for the input.

Also are there any guideline on finding out the drop in value, if any, by not having the box, papers, etc, just have the pen itself.

 

Phil

[yachtsilverswan]

Absence of box and papers usually discounts the value an additional 10-15%.

[Ghost Plane]

I welcome engraving as it gives me lovely, user-grade pens I could not otherwise afford.

[Blade Runner]

Can you describe the engraving?