Montblanc Klimt and Stevenson Pens: Your Thoughts?

[sanders07]

Hello everyone,

 

I am contemplating purchasing either the Masters of Art Homage to Gustav Klimt Limited Edition 4810 Fountain Pen or the 1883 Limited Edition Robert Louis Stevenson this spring. I prefer the aesthetics of the Klimt, especially the gold and blue combination, over the 1883 Stevenson, although the latter seems like a fun pen. Why am I even considering these pens and writing this post? I have other Montblanc pens that I frequently use for writing—the 149 Calligraphy is my favorite—but I occasionally enjoy using or admiring pretty or attractive pens. However, I like having the option of selling my pens without incurring a significant loss. Given discussions in this forum and others about the steep depreciation of luxury items like these in recent years, I am seriously considering which of these two pens to buy and whether buying one even makes sense. I realize there are nicer (all-around) pens, such as Maki-e Japanese pens, but I am currently focused on deciding between these two. I would appreciate your thoughts on whether you have these pens or insights into which ones bring you more joy or if you would consider buying them. Your input is valued.

 

Thank you!

 

[NoType]

4 hours ago, sanders07 said:

Hello everyone,

 

I am contemplating purchasing either the Masters of Art Homage to Gustav Klimt Limited Edition 4810 Fountain Pen or the 1883 Limited Edition Robert Louis Stevenson this spring. I prefer the aesthetics of the Klimt, especially the gold and blue combination, over the 1883 Stevenson, although the latter seems like a fun pen. Why am I even considering these pens and writing this post? I have other Montblanc pens that I frequently use for writing—the 149 Calligraphy is my favorite—but I occasionally enjoy using or admiring pretty or attractive pens. However, I like having the option of selling my pens without incurring a significant loss. Given discussions in this forum and others about the steep depreciation of luxury items like these in recent years, I am seriously considering which of these two pens to buy and whether buying one even makes sense. I realize there are nicer (all-around) pens, such as Maki-e Japanese pens, but I am currently focused on deciding between these two. I would appreciate your thoughts on whether you have these pens or insights into which ones bring you more joy or if you would consider buying them. Your input is valued.

 

Thank you!

 

Generally speaking, the vast majority of Montblanc limited edition pens do not perform as good investments in the long term, although there are exceptions, of course (e.g., 1992 Patron of Art Medici, 1992 Writers Edition Hemingway, 1999 Writers Edition Proust, 2009 Great Characters Gandhi LE241, 2016 Writers Edition Shakespeare LE1597, 2017 Writers Edition Saint-Exupéry LE1931, etc), and so I usually purchase only that towards which I feel drawn.

 

It sounds like you find the Klimt LE4810 alluring, and thus my advice is to acquire this piece.

 

However, I would be remiss if I were not to mention that given the Writers Edition series’ name recognition and established reputation; the popularity in the secondhand market of some of its more exclusively limited editions (from 2015’s Tolstoy LE1868 through 2020’s Hugo 1831); and the Stevenson LE1883’s imposing presence, attractive hue of gold coating (between red and yellow, and darker than Montblanc’s “signature” gold colour) and mother-of-pearl snow cap; that considering these factors, I hazard to guess that the Stevenson 1883 could also be a good choice.  (Although the Klimt LE4810’s aesthetic is indeed remarkable, it is not the first in the Masters of Art series and so its secondhand value may or may not be as high as, say, the van Gogh LE4810.)

 

I have tried to oversimplify the theme of speculative luxury acquisition, a very complex calculus that requires a nuanced discussion which assuredly will have many differing viewpoints.  

[sanders07]

NoType:

Thank you for your input on my question. Your accessible analysis of the complex process of luxury acquisition was beneficial. Your point about the Stevenson is well taken, and I may go for that pen if I find it somewhere to try first and if it turns out comfortable to use. Do you know if it is close to the thickness of a 149? I have DeQuervains, and thick and light pens are the most comfortable.

Thanks again.

[NoType]

The pleasure was all mine.  

 

The Stevenson LE1883’s barrel is wider than a 149, but the diameter of its forepart (section) is similar to what I term a “wide chassis” 146|LeGrand FP, and narrower than that of a 149.  I’ve enclosed photos of the Stevenson with its metal section next to a 149 with a metal section and a Masters for Meisterstück 146 with a metal section, to give some idea.  (Please forgive the appallingly poor quality of these photos.)

 

However, like the other two pens in the photos, the Stevenson cannot be described as lightweight, and thus I applaud your idea to test it for comfort of use.

 

 

[sanders07]

I cannot thank you enough for your patience and kindness with my questions and for taking the time to take pictures. I know this can be time-consuming, and I appreciate your willingness to help. These are not easy decisions; any help gathering reliable information facilitates the process. If you don't mind me asking one more question, do you know how the Robert Louis Stevenson compares to the MB Coral Origin, also a 146 with the metal section, in terms of weight and front metal section thickness? I love the pen's design and its nib's smoothness, but I am starting to question its weight. 

 

For the Rober Louis Stevenson, I might have to drive to an MB Boutique and try the pen. It's not a close drive, but oh well

 

Again, thank you for all your help with this!

 

[NoType]

You are most welcome, although my photos were embarrassingly out of focus due to my ineptness with a smartphone camera.  Even if I had access to a quality standalone camera, I inherently dislike taking photos and thus have not learned any skills, so my photos would not have been much better.  Nevertheless, had I taken a little more care I could probably have managed to capture the pens in focus yesterday.  Probably. So, it is kind of you to be gracious about the photos.

 

I wish I could be helpful about comparing the feel of the Stevenson LE1883 against that of The Origin Solitaire LeGrand, but I do not yet possess the Solitaire LeGrand, so I cannot say if it feels lighter in the hand when uncapped than does the Stevenson.  

 

The Montblanc website lists the Stevenson LE1883 at 106.71 g (https://www.montblanc.com/en-us/fountain-pens_cod1647597320769353.html?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxc205anjhQMVUCmtBh33nQU6EAQYASABEgJ2lvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)

and The Origin Solitaire LeGrand at 76.11 g

(https://www.montblanc.com/en-us/fountain-pens_cod1647597341708831.html),

which makes the Solitaire LeGrand 30.6 g lighter.  The Stevenson’s cap is heavier than its barrel, but I presume that the cap and barrel of the Solitaire LeGrand are similarly weighted, so the Stevenson’s weight in the hand when writing may not be much greater than that of the Solitaire LeGrand.

 

Interestingly, the webpages tell us that while the Stevenson LE1883 is 0.03 inch shorter than The Origin Solitaire LeGrand, the Stevenson is 0.05 inch larger in diameter than the Solitaire.

 

I can tell you that the Stevenson LE1883 looks much better in person than in photographs, so be prepared to be seduced when you journey to the boutique to view it.  I hope the boutique can also show you The Origin Solitaire LeGrand so you can do a side-by-side comparison, which will help offset the trouble taken to drive there.  If you are questioning the weight of The Origin Solitaire LeGrand, then you will find the Stevenson LE1883 also to be heavy, but the Stevenson’s attractiveness may help offset the weight.

 

I can predict that the section thickness of the Stevenson LE1883 will be very similar to that of The Origin Solitaire LeGrand, since The Origin Solitaire LeGrand has the same “wide chassis” as the Masters for Meisterstück in the previous photos.  (The thickness of the metal section of a “non-wide chassis” Solitaire LeGrand, like the Blue Hour, is slightly less than that of a “wide chassis” Solitaire LeGrand.)

 

I approve your careful consideration of various factors when considering purchasing one of these pens, and am happy to help provide information.  Please do let us know what you decide.

[sanders07]

I genuinely cannot thank you enough for your input on this decision. Having the dimensions and weight of the pen is very helpful, as that is a critical consideration for me. I will keep you posted on what I decide 😃 And, again, thank you.

[NoType]

You are most welcome.  I look forward to reading your thoughts upon examining the pens.