Mb Noblesse Gold Plated Prices?

[jslallar]

Hi MB Forum,

 

I have seen an NOS MB Noblesse, never inked, in a stationery shop in the city (Rawalpindi, Pakistan). The body is golden, I do not know if it is solid gold or gold plated (can one tell the difference?), with straight lines on the it length wise. MB insignia on both ends, but not at the end ofthe clip as I have seen in photos of some Noblesse /Oblige pens. The pen must have been in the shop for ages. The coating is dusty and the gold trimmings need a wash / polish by a jeweler, micro scratches from storage on the body and clip. It has a 18K gold Medium nib, flaring out from the tip of pen (a smaller version of 146s and 149s), not like the Noblesse oblige (flat at the top). The clip is a bit different than the pictures of the Noblesse I have seen in that instead of two parallel bars it is a solid flat bar. The box is original as is the pen - I am pretty sure. But seeing my interest in the pen the shopkeeper (I suspect) hiked up the price (he had no price labelled) and is asking PRs 60,000 (roughly $700) for the pen.

 

My question - is the price ok? too high? am I getting a deal here (unlikely - but whats the harm asking)?

[osnofian]

If the pen is solid gold, it might be a reasonable price, but I'm not too knowledgeable in these pens, and don't even know if they were ever made in solid gold. You should be able to tell if it has an hallmark. If goldplated, its extortionately high price... The following link has one for sale much much cheaper). (please not that I don't have any affiliation with the website, just a happy customer).

http://www.martiniauctions.com/auction/item.php?id=7045

 

Hope it helps!

[vickiehof]

I bought a NOS Noblesse gold plated fountain, 14K nib, in the box with papers in 2008 for $150.

 

In 2009, I got a 3 piece set: gold plated fountain pen, ball-point and pencil for $172.

The set had someone's name engraved on it and came without a box or papers. It's at work so I can't check the gold content of the nib.

 

I think that solid silver or gold pens will have a number stamped into the body.

 

You could check on Ebay to see the selling prices of similar pens. Perhaps your pen shop is unfamiliar with the current worth of the pen. If they still want $700 for a gold plated pen, it may continue to accumulate dust. If it is indeed solid gold, I don't know what a fair price would be.

 

Best wishes, Vickie

 

I just looked at an ad for the Noblesse which said that it was offered in "softly gleaming gold or silver plate, ***(can't read the blurry word on the poster), or pewter luster, glossy or matte-black finishes ..." A solid gold option wasn't listed on the ad.

Edited June 13, 2011 by vickiehof

[penparadise]

There never have been solid gold Noblesse pens. Just gold plated.

The price of $700 is absurd. I wouldn't even pay a quarter of it for a mint golden Noblesse fp.

[kandarp]

That's VERY high, I recently bought a NOS Gold Plated Noblesse with an 18K nib. The pen had never seen ink and came with the original box and papers. I paid more than I think the pen was worth ($350) but it was a birthday gift for my wife who really liked the pen.

[kandarp]

Also, I saw a used one on eBay a month or so ago that sold for under $175.