MONTBLANC MONTE ROSA FOUNTAIN PEN

[teebo]

I am considering buying this pen for my collection and was looking for some background. How is the pen? It is a lower end model correct? Is the nib gold or just gold in color?

 

Any information helpful.

 

Thanks

[Bartimaeus]

The Monte Rosa was originally a lower end pen.

It is rather short, a little less than 12 cm uncapped and unposted.

I know that there were gold nibs and steel nibs. I don't know about gold plated nibs.

[RevAaron]

Didn't you just ask this question? You got responses, even.

 

They're nice pens. Not sure what market prices are, but personally I wouldn't spend more than $100-150 on one- you get into celluloid MB 2xx and even possibly 142/144 territory above that.

 

The Monte Rosa was a lower-end pen within MB's line up- but they aren't low-end pens. You can get them with gold plated steel nibs, 14k and 18k nibs. I've used other vintage MB steel nibs and they're very nice- the ones I've used were all soft and flexy, though I've never used one fitted on a Monte Rosa. Never used any MB 18k nibs either. Every single one of the handful of MB 14k nibs 40s-50s I've used, from those on top-end 1xx pens to those on the "low-end" 3xx models, have been exceptional.

 

You could also look around for MB 342 and 344 - similar pens, and also nice writers. Similar prices.

 

Aaron

[teebo]

Didn't you just ask this question? You got responses, even.

 

They're nice pens. Not sure what market prices are, but personally I wouldn't spend more than $100-150 on one- you get into celluloid MB 2xx and even possibly 142/144 territory above that.

 

The Monte Rosa was a lower-end pen within MB's line up- but they aren't low-end pens. You can get them with gold plated steel nibs, 14k and 18k nibs. I've used other vintage MB steel nibs and they're very nice- the ones I've used were all soft and flexy, though I've never used one fitted on a Monte Rosa. Never used any MB 18k nibs either. Every single one of the handful of MB 14k nibs 40s-50s I've used, from those on top-end 1xx pens to those on the "low-end" 3xx models, have been exceptional.

 

You could also look around for MB 342 and 344 - similar pens, and also nice writers. Similar prices.

 

Aaron

 

 

Hey Aaron,

 

I did ask a similar question but never got all the information I needed. I have now. It seems like kind of a diverse line as I have seen different nibs, body colors and models with different caps (both resin and metal). Sorry to keep asking just looking for information as I wanted to make an educated purchase.

[RevAaron]

Oh, for sure- I didn't mean to get all forum nazi on you. Just thought you might've missed them- I ask questions in threads and forget to go back and read them sometimes, but maybe I'm a bit more flaky than the rest.

[MDI]

I have a gray Monte Rosa from late 50s. It has a gold nib ("14C Mont Blanc 585"). It's a piston filler. Initially, it came with mild ink flow problems. After I adjusted the flow (which required no dis-assembly), it writes beautifully. The smooth nib leaves a semi-wet EF line that has some subtle variation with pressure. I would not describe it as semi-flex, however, just a vintage nib feel. As mentioned above, it is a fairly small (and light!) pen that looks very different from the contemporary MB MS line.

 

P.S. Here is my Monte Rosa:

 

 

 

(Images courtesy of QM2)

Edited November 23, 2008 by MDI

[MDI]

More images of my Monte Rosa:

 

The ink in the window is MB English Racing Green.

 

 

I should mention that the stamp on the cap says "MONTBLANC MonteRosa."

Also, note that this pen lacks a currently compulsory MB snow cap.

Eventually I'll do a review of this little pen.

 

 

(Images courtesy of QM2)

Edited November 23, 2008 by MDI

[QM2]

I am very fond of the version of this pen that MDI has; really cannot say enough good things about it. It is a great writer, very comfortable, and the gold-plated trim is exceptionally well done. As MDI pointed out, the nib on these models is 14K. They come in black, bordeaux, forest green, and gray. If you want a MB feel without the ostentation and the ever-recognizable snowflake, tracking down this pen is worth it.

 

 

[QM2]

FYI --

 

this pen is now reviewed here!

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=83974

 

[CarolinaWriter]

I bought one of these a few weeks ago from FPN user Andy. It's an 042 with an oblique medium nib and I love the way it writes! The cap on mine has the snowflake, but it is an outlined (in cream) version. You can almost see it in the picture (photo credit to Andy).

 

 

Edited November 24, 2008 by cabarbour

[teebo]

Thanks for the pictures and comments. I am looking to add one to my collection, but also like the 042 cabarbour posted. It may take a back seat to my current fasination with getting my hands on a MB149. We'll see.

 

Todd