Need Advise On Montblanc Soulmakers Starwalker L.e.

July 21, 2016

I am new to the luxury/collectable pen world and need a little advise. I ended up acquiring this Montblanc pen unknowingly after buying a foreclosure and cleaning out what was left behind. I did a lot of research and read all the info I could find. The pen is a Montblanc Soulmakers for 100 Years Limited Edition 1906 Starwalker ceramic number 0989 of 1906, model #36703 or M100266 med ball point. It has all the proper authenticity markings.

But what I really want is my first fountain pen! And that's what I need advise about. The pen is in great shape but I think it needs to be buffed and polished to make it look brand new again. It doesn't have anything major as far as surface damage or internal damage that I can see or notice by actuating the ballpoint. I do not have the box it came in though and I know that hurts value pretty bad. I found one for sale for my model with original booklet included for $200 on ebay, but have not bought it yet because I don't know what the pen is worth with or without it. Selling this pen is gonna pay for my first fountain pen. Should I buy the box and get the pen polished? Will it increase the value enough to justify the cost? Or sell it as is? I honestly don't know what it's even worth because so few have been sold. And the couple that did sell were brand new with box. Any help would be great. Thanks!

Edited July 21, 2016 by Nismomike

July 21, 2016

I sent you a PM. Hope that it helps. Feel free to message me if you have additional questions.

July 21, 2016

Sorry in random order, trying to answer as many of your questions as I can.

Generally I would say to only do minor improvements/maintenance on a pen you intend to sell. Flush or soak or clean the pen etc. If it needs more drastic care, I would either send it to Montblanc or ask the buyer what he would prefer. Resin or ceramic will not be improved upon. Perhaps the metal section can be cleaned.

Not having a box or booklet usually decreases the value, but not by much. I certainly doubt $200 worth. What the pen will have depreciated, no accessory will recover from that value. It is the kind of thing that is nice to have, ensures confidence to the buyer that it is authentic and appropriately acquired etc.

In regards to authenticity, are you 100% absolutely sure that it is? Before marketing it to a buyer, you should be certain. From the pictures I couldn't tell, but I have noticed maybe a couple of details that got me thinking.

If all is well with the pen from that point onwards, I think that its price should buy you a handsome fountain pen. I would get high resolution pictures and market here on classifieds or on eBay as you mentioned. The ceramics version of this pen was more coveted than the regular resin.

July 22, 2016

In regards to authenticity, are you 100% absolutely sure that it is? Before marketing it to a buyer, you should be certain. From the pictures I couldn't tell, but I have noticed maybe a couple of details that got me thinking.

Thank you for that information! That really helps me out a lot. I am going to see if I have an official Montblanc dealer locally and get it looked at. I tried to post better pictures but they would not upload because of data size limitations. I've uploaded the photos to a host and post a link.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jg3tgpiyq4ildg6/AAAbIlDpp9fMkmUHJCpV5S7Ka?dl=0

July 22, 2016

Thank you for that information! That really helps me out a lot. I am going to see if I have an official Montblanc dealer locally and get it looked at. I tried to post better pictures but they would not upload because of data size limitations. I've uploaded the photos to a host and post a link.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jg3tgpiyq4ildg6/AAAbIlDpp9fMkmUHJCpV5S7Ka?dl=0

The higher resolution pics look much better, thanks for that. I would take it to MB to have an idea how much it retailed for when it was in stock and verify the pen. Then I would leave the resin alone, looks fine to me. The metal with a very soft microfiber cloth and some metal polish compound can probably be buffed clean (I did that to my 100 Year Anniversary Starwalker resin version fountain pen) and it was back to new. Have you considered what fountain pen you would like to buy?