Patron of the Arts, JP Morgan

[hornillas1]

I came across a JP Morgan LE the other day that is still shrink-wrapped in the original plastic and has never seen the light of day apparently. It was number 0177/4810. Anyone know how much the pen is potentially worth today? Apparently the retailer said a customer asked for that MB LE pen to be found but never came back to claim it.

[Wael El-Dasher]

I bought mine, new, sealed and all that jazz, for $1899.00 from a reputable ebayer. Not sure about potential value after several years. I bought mine to use it. I enjoy using it and was primarily attracted to it because the design appealed to me. It is a very conservative looking pen, and as an architect, I see the cap's silver and carbon weave as symbolic of gothic arches. When you look at the pen with the stripped silver barrel and the cap on, it has a nice NY gothic look to it that's not literal.

 

I dislike literal interpretation in pen design which is why I like the MB WE & POA pens (some more than others) so much more than other pen manufacturers who tend to leave less to the imagination. Literal designs are almost insulting to me, as if the designer think the user lacks the ability to decipher or to project their own interpretation. I much prefer to have the abstract essence and spirit in the design, leaving me to explore its meaning slowly over time, and to have the ability to change my mind over time too. The abstract quality of the design and the restraint MB design show, are evident in that pen.

 

cheers

 

W

[hornillas1]

As a man in finance the JP Morgan POA FP caught my attention more than others. It too carries a sentimental meaning for me if I were to own it. I believe the retailer was offering the piece at $3,100. Overpriced for the number/condition/year/etc.? Or should I look elsewhere?

[Wael El-Dasher]

That price is a bit high, but its right for MB retail for that pen. If you're looking for a better price then I would buy from ebay. There are often new/sealed ones for sale there. I found one for sale for $2250 but the reseller is new, I prefer buying from elavay (www.divinepens.com) or yaborian (Everything About Luxury). These are two excellent ebay resellers. There are others too, but surf for a while and happy hunting.

 

cheers

 

W

[hefilcon]

I´ve seen one new J.P. Morgan in a german boutique (not a MB-boutique) at last saturday. 1.700,- € (=list price).

[goodguy]

You can get it for around 2K (USD) on eBay.

[Titivillus]

I dislike literal interpretation in pen design which is why I like the MB WE & POA pens (some more than others) so much more than other pen manufacturers who tend to leave less to the imagination. Literal designs are almost insulting to me, as if the designer think the user lacks the ability to decipher or to project their own interpretation. I much prefer to have the abstract essence and spirit in the design, leaving me to explore its meaning slowly over time, and to have the ability to change my mind over time too. The abstract quality of the design and the restraint MB design show, are evident in that pen.

 

Yes but at the same time there needs to be some theme connecting the pen to the person. For without that then they are just slapping a name on the box and charging you 3x more for the next thing the 'design boys' come up with!

 

K

 

[hefilcon]

I dislike literal interpretation in pen design which is why I like the MB WE & POA pens (some more than others) so much more than other pen manufacturers who tend to leave less to the imagination. Literal designs are almost insulting to me, as if the designer think the user lacks the ability to decipher or to project their own interpretation. I much prefer to have the abstract essence and spirit in the design, leaving me to explore its meaning slowly over time, and to have the ability to change my mind over time too. The abstract quality of the design and the restraint MB design show, are evident in that pen.

 

Yes but at the same time there needs to be some theme connecting the pen to the person. For without that then they are just slapping a name on the box and charging you 3x more for the next thing the 'design boys' come up with!

 

K

 

:roflmho: you´re so right!!! but a lot of W.E.´s and some POA´s got no real theme connection

[Titivillus]

I dislike literal interpretation in pen design which is why I like the MB WE & POA pens (some more than others) so much more than other pen manufacturers who tend to leave less to the imagination. Literal designs are almost insulting to me, as if the designer think the user lacks the ability to decipher or to project their own interpretation. I much prefer to have the abstract essence and spirit in the design, leaving me to explore its meaning slowly over time, and to have the ability to change my mind over time too. The abstract quality of the design and the restraint MB design show, are evident in that pen.

 

Yes but at the same time there needs to be some theme connecting the pen to the person. For without that then they are just slapping a name on the box and charging you 3x more for the next thing the 'design boys' come up with!

 

K

 

:roflmho: you´re so right!!! but a lot of W.E.´s and some POA´s got no real theme connection

 

Sadly I think you are correct.

 

K

[RedRob]

I dislike literal interpretation in pen design which is why I like the MB WE & POA pens (some more than others) so much more than other pen manufacturers who tend to leave less to the imagination. Literal designs are almost insulting to me, as if the designer think the user lacks the ability to decipher or to project their own interpretation. I much prefer to have the abstract essence and spirit in the design, leaving me to explore its meaning slowly over time, and to have the ability to change my mind over time too. The abstract quality of the design and the restraint MB design show, are evident in that pen.

 

cheers

 

W

 

How do you feel about the Christie then?

[Blade Runner]

If the pen has or doesn't have something symbolic related to the person isn't a main issue for me.

For me it's simply the visual appeal and the uniqueness.

 

In this regard, at least MB has tried a number of different pen designs for their LEs and SEs, incorporating a nice variety of materials including resin, metals, hardwood, porcelain, minerals. Some work better than others, but at least they are trying new things on a regular basis, unlike some brands that issue many of their LEs by simply changing color and trim features while using the same stock pen and nib and charging much high prices than stock.

Edited January 13, 2009 by jeen

[Titivillus]

If the pen has or doesn't have something symbolic related to the person isn't a main issue for me.

For me it's simply the visual appeal and the uniqueness.

 

But what's the use of a LE pen if there is no connection between the pen and the item being honored? It's just business then,

 

K

[memphislawyer]

I'm with Kurt. Now, I dont need a connection with Jule Verne to know I love the look of the pen. But I do want the pen to somehow be associated with Verne in some respect, and the sea comes to mine, thus the waves, and thus the color. If no connection, then just slap a name on a 149, color it orange and put some famous name on it. Then like he said, it is just business.

[Blade Runner]

Well, I'm glad some prefer a literal take. Others can find pleasure in the abstract.

There's enough of each category in MB to make some fine choices.

[Blade Runner]

Here's an example of a pen with a more abstract take - the Dumas.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/IMG_6661.jpg

There isn't much related to the author or his stories other than the signature and the unobtrusive sword on the clip, but I still love it.

Sometimes I have a more enduring interest in some thing that's not so literal. More mystery perhaps. More open to interpretation.

Sometimes I like a more literal translation. I like the variety.

 

Best,

Jeen

Edited January 14, 2009 by jeen

[evgeny0ukr]

$3,100 is way too much for this pen!

I think I bought mine for $1800 on ebay. I guess it is not hard to find such pen in perfect condition below $2,000

 

And I am proud to say that I own not only JP Morgan 4810 and 888 but also a 8 pieces edition

[hefilcon]

$3,100 is way too much for this pen!

I think I bought mine for $1800 on ebay. I guess it is not hard to find such pen in perfect condition below $2,000

 

And I am proud to say that I own not only JP Morgan 4810 and 888 but also a 8 pieces edition

 

never heard about the 8 pieces edition. but it looks really nice. are the strapes are made out of diamonds?

[Wael El-Dasher]

I dislike literal interpretation in pen design which is why I like the MB WE & POA pens (some more than others) so much more than other pen manufacturers who tend to leave less to the imagination. Literal designs are almost insulting to me, as if the designer think the user lacks the ability to decipher or to project their own interpretation. I much prefer to have the abstract essence and spirit in the design, leaving me to explore its meaning slowly over time, and to have the ability to change my mind over time too. The abstract quality of the design and the restraint MB design show, are evident in that pen.

 

cheers

 

W

 

How do you feel about the Christie then?

 

The Agatha Christie pen works because its a remake of their old snake clip. I don't really see it so much as an Agatha pen, but a lot like the connection between the 139 & Hemingway. Its a new version of of an old pen...but doesn't leak. I do like the Agatha pen, but then again, I don't post the pen, so if you use the pen without the cap, its a very handsome re-edition.

 

cheers

 

W

[Wael El-Dasher]

The JP Morgan pen to me is symbolic of a man that instigated a financial institution. When I think of it, I think of NYC and the era when JP's success came about.

 

Here is a little blurb from wiki;

 

"John Pierpont Morgan (April 17 1837 – March 31 1913) was an American financier, banker and art collector who dominated corporate finance and industrial consolidation during his time. In 1892 Morgan arranged the merger of Edison General Electric and Thompson-Houston Electric Company to form General Electric. After financing the creation of the Federal Steel Company he merged the Carnegie Steel Company and several other steel and iron businesses to form the United States Steel Corporation in 1901. He is widely credited with having saved or rescued the U.S. national economy in general—and the federal government in particular—on two separate occasions. He bequeathed much of his large art collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and to the Wadsworth Atheneum of Hartford, Connecticut. He died in Rome, Italy, in 1913 at the age of 75, leaving his fortune and business to his son, John Pierpont "Jack" Morgan, Jr."

 

In my mind anyway, his financial institution paved the way for the building of the early skyscrapers of NYC and hence affected the shape of the city and its architecture -> the American Gothic -> The carbon/silver weave on cap and pin stripe suite like lines of the barrel. The heavy weight of the pen is symbolic of the big man that he was who...according to wiki anyway "He is widely credited with having saved or rescued the U.S. national economy in general—and the federal government in particular—on two separate occasions". That's certainly a heavy burden...

 

It know...most will think I am smoking something, but I am happy in my little make belief universe.

 

cheers

 

Wael

Edited January 16, 2009 by Wael El-Dasher