Used 149: What Is A "fair" Price?

[masterguns]

I know, totally subjective on what a fair price is, but I'm trying to get a sense of what I can reasonably expect to pay for a used 149 that has recently been serviced by MB. For arguments sake, lets say a relatively recent model with an M nib.

 

Can I get some input, or at least a $$ range of what the market is bearing at the moment? For those who like to say "use the search function," a link or search terms would be most appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[Beechwood]

Would suggest around $450 assuming minimal wear.

[meiers]

Yes. Not more than that for a modern 149 in my opinion. The vintage celluloid pens are a different story.

 

Remember the true market price is whatever people are willing and able to pay. Doing an eBay search of sold 149s might answer your question.

Edited April 12, 2015 by meiers

[luckduck369]

Remember the true market price is whatever people are willing and able to pay. Doing an eBay search of sold 149s might answer your question.

+1

[zaddick]

Depends on if there are boxes, papers, warranty proof, etc. Also, the nib width will affect the price, with EF or B and wider commanding some premium.

 

I think $400 to $450 is a good range.

[Kuscer]

Like others have suggested. $400-450.

[ingolf]

I agree to the note of "meiers".

I recently got a MB149 with M-nib in near mint condition for EUR 250,- from eBay. Some polishing on barrel, cap and golden decorations and the pen is looking as new. No defects or damages. The pen is a model of a 1994-1999 series. It´s not the actual series but with a beautiful bicolor nib.

I was watching the offers for a pretty long time and there seems to be an usual range from EUR 400-500. To my opinion too much (when compared to other "big pens" like Pelikan M1000/1005).

Regards, Ingolf.

[masterguns]

Thanks very much for the replies. I should have known that doing a completed auctions search on eBay would give me a good idea. The points about nib widths and celluloid demanding higher prices are helpful. I'm continuing to research the 149 on this forum and elsewhere in order to recognize its evolution and the associated values. I'll eventually end up with a relatively modern 149 at some point. I'm encouraged by the fact that, according to FPNers, the 149 has not been replicated. Thats one less thing to be concerned about when looking for one on auction sites.

[Wolverine1]

A friend recently sold 2 of his MB 149 fps. Both were fps from the early 1990s. He sold one which had a few scratches for $400.00 and $500.00 for the one which was in mint, uninked condition.

[scratchofapen]

If you are a bit patient and wait or a opportunity on ebay....250€ used but in good condition.

[jsolares]

I've gotten 3 on eBay from $320 to $345 +shipping and taxes (I'm not in the US), a modern 14K EF, 18K big medium, and the latest a 70s with solid ebonite feed 14C EF with some flex, the 14K EF needed a nib adjustment, i just couldn't make it write well, it was scratchy as hell and wasn't misaligned, the owner just seemed to write with a very different grip and angle i'm used to, and the 14C EF had a stuck piston but it was easily solved by me with a water bath.

 

I've also seen ones in the 400+ range that seem to be in better shape, but i like them well used, i don't have to worry at all about scratching them, They already came that way , did order the pen polish to see how they shape up.

 

I don't mind tinkering with my pens though, if you do, perhaps one in the 400$+ range or in the classifieds that's in mint shape might be best for you.

[penmanila]

I've been buying quite a few 149s and 146s on eBay over the past few years, reselling most of them and keeping the best, and I've found that with patience and a bit of luck, you can get good 149s (very likely 1990s and up) in the $250-350 range. Got lucky a couple of years ago and got a 149 with a BB italic nib for $270 from Canada. My best buy so far came from a non-eBay auction site: a vintage 149 with a tricolor nib that flexes from F to BBB, all for $140. That's the one I've kept and use very often.

 

Luck matters, but you have to be out there looking and bidding and taking chances. If you don't want to take risks, then you pay full retail at an AD.

Edited April 13, 2015 by penmanila

[mongrelnomad]

I'm still looking for a good condition (preferably NOS) 149 with an EF 14k nib. Been searching on eBay for ~3 years, and still no dice.

[meiers]

I am not patient enough for eBay.

[masterguns]

Wow. Looks like there are deals to be had if one is patient. Thank you all for the feedback.

[meiers]

Everyone's pen collection journey will be different.

I found the market place here at FPN to be a veritable treasure trove.

Two of my favourite pens come from here: a brand new 146 in burgundy ($350) and a mint 149 extra-fine nib ($375).

The sellers treated me with respect and courtesy. There was none of the drama which sometimes accompanies the eBay experience.

[meiers]

I'm still looking for a good condition (preferably NOS) 149 with an EF 14k nib. Been searching on eBay for ~3 years, and still no dice.

I'd follow the marketplace here on FPN

[nuts88]

all depends on condition of the pen, but 400 usd seems like minimal price

[talkinghead]

Depends on if there are boxes, papers, warranty proof, etc. Also, the nib width will affect the price, with EF or B and wider commanding some premium.

 

I think $400 to $450 is a good range.

 

This topic comes up every few months or so...why on a modern 149, (NON LE, or WE), do boxes, papers, warranty proof etc. matter on the price of a used pen? Why as a buyer of a used pen do you consider (accept?) these accoutrements as adding a premium to the price? A pen advertised as new, well maybe. But used? Just curious.

 

Agree on the price range though, if one needs the pen today......patience will get you a lower price.

 

Rick

[niksch]

Rick, I suspect it's a holdover from sales posts, and some folks believe this adds value. I'm not sure it does for me, but because that data seems so ubiquitous, there is perceived value for some buyers.

 

Boxes and paperwork with used modern pens that are not LE/WE/SE models are nice to have, and may indicate the pen was taken care of a little better than the average pen. When I buy a used pen, I just assume the original warranty is in no longer in effect. For vintage used pens, I consider the boxes/paperwork or sales receipt a nice ephemera effect if nothing else.

 

For unused vintage pens, like a 50s 146, 149 or any other model/manufacture of fountain pen for that matter, I definitely believe it adds to a collector value, but it's hard for me to quantity how much. And for me, if I display my collector pens in my display cases, those things are put away in a drawer or other storage location anyway.