The Aul Triangle...

[AcLondon]

Thought I'd share some photos of my latest acquisition. My favourite era and model of resin Montblanc with white triangle. 

[PAKMAN]

Beautiful, thanks for sharing!

[NoType]

@AcLondon, congratulations on this latest arrival.  Ever since you mentioned anticipating this “triangle symbol” 146 in your previous post sharing your remarkable collection reflecting an astonishing year-long accomplishment, I have been eagerly awaiting this post.  I seem to recall reading elsewhere in the forum various speculations on the reason for the “triangle symbol,” but I wondered if you could share your insights and knowledge from any research you may have conducted.  For instance, could you explain the term “Aul?”

[fpupulin]

That's a very interesting pen, AcLondon.

 

I completely agree with you that the 146s from the Seventies, with their soft and responsible nibs, and the sober grey window, are among the best Meisterstücks ever. The 149s of the same era (mostly two-toned nibs) provide the same writing feelings.

 

What I found amazing is that, even without the classic white star on the top of te cap, a 146 is always a 146, immediately recognizable as a Motblanc Meisterstück.

 

Congratulations for your finding. 

[CS388]

... with a beautiful nib, too.

 

Congratulations.

[AcLondon]

Thanks for the replies. I really can't add much to the knowledge bank of the Montblanc white triangle. What I know is really just an amalgamation of what I've gleaned on various threads here and in a couple of other places. 

 

Some aspects that I've read and believe to be accurate:

 

- White triangles replaced the traditional Montblanc star in some Middle Eastern countries. 

- Likely period was 1969- late 70s/early 80s. 

- This was most common in Saudi Arabia. 

-MB did this because they badly wanted to enter the oil-rich ME markets and feared (some say without any basis) that the 6 point star had off-putting Israeli connotations. 

 

Some of my observations/speculation:

 

- Although desperately rare, 149s are the most often seen with the triangle. I've seen occasional cheaper lines with them, too. I've heard/read of only three other 146s with them. 

- Although unique to the ME markets, it seems that they are every bit as hard to come across used there as they are in other parts of the world. Indeed, testimony from a few sources who lived in ME countries at the time of release is that they were not widely available at all (a number said they had never seen one). 

- I wonder was their distribution extremely small? Was Montblanc just not that popular or were they selling regular star/snowcapped pens alongside these triangles? I just don't know. 

 

Any comments, corrections or further info would be very welcome. 

 

(The aul triangle title has nothing to do with the white triangle - simply a playful reference to my home place:-))

[NoType]

1 hour ago, AcLondon said:

Thanks for the replies. I really can't add much to the knowledge bank of the Montblanc white triangle. What I know is really just an amalgamation of what I've gleaned on various threads here and in a couple of other places. 

 

Some aspects that I've read and believe to be accurate:

 

- White triangles replaced the traditional Montblanc star in some Middle Eastern countries. 

- Likely period was 1969- late 70s/early 80s. 

- This was most common in Saudi Arabia. 

-MB did this because they badly wanted to enter the oil-rich ME markets and feared (some say without any basis) that the 6 point star had off-putting Israeli connotations. 

 

Some of my observations/speculation:

 

- Although desperately rare, 149s are the most often seen with the triangle. I've seen occasional cheaper lines with them, too. I've heard/read of only three other 146s with them. 

- Although unique to the ME markets, it seems that they are every bit as hard to come across used there as they are in other parts of the world. Indeed, testimony from a few sources who lived in ME countries at the time of release is that they were not widely available at all (a number said they had never seen one). 

- I wonder was their distribution extremely small? Was Montblanc just not that popular or were they selling regular star/snowcapped pens alongside these triangles? I just don't know. 

 

Any comments, corrections or further info would be very welcome. 

 

(The aul triangle title has nothing to do with the white triangle - simply a playful reference to my home place:-))

AcLondon, thank you very much for your fulsome reply, which corresponds with what I have also read on the forum.  Likewise, your observations and speculations are most welcome and appreciated.  I find the “triangle symbol” Montblanc to be a fascinating subject.  Perhaps other members here with additional information and | or speculation will offer their contribution to what you so aptly term the knowledge bank.

[Uncial]

I strongly suspect the change was to do with the star of David but I doubt MB ever acknowledged that publicly and even today they might be inclined to say nothing. I've often wondered if Alfred Nehemias was of Jewish descent. 

[amberleadavis]

Thank you for sharing that beautiful pen.