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Just Inherited My Grandfather's Fountain Pen

johnboz

By johnboz
in Fountain & Dip Pens - First Stop

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johnboz Vintage

johnboz

Posted
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During Christmas, I was talking to my grandmother about fountain pens. She said that she had my grandfather's pen stored somewhere in the basement. She couldn't remember what it was, so I started throwing out names. "Parker? Sheaffer? Waterman?" After a few "no"s, I started to deflate, thinking that it was a random pen, maybe a Wearever or Esterbrook (which, by the way, are wonderful pens, but not what you look forward to inheriting (OK, maybe some Esterbrooks would be great to inherit, but I digress)). Then she said that her nephew got it for him in Europe. I started throwing out European manufacturers. "Pelikan? Montblanc?" "Yes, Montblanc!" Well, hopefully she remembered that correctly. After all, she is 85 and probably hadn't seen the pen for 15 years.

 

Well, she found the pen and I finally got it yesterday. It turns out it's a Montblanc 149 that is in perfect condition. My grandfather was a banker, so I'm sure this pen was always tucked into a pocket. I can't find a scratch on it. And the nib! It's huge! The cardboard sleeve that the box goes in has a "B" written on it, so I'm assuming it's a B nib, but it almost writes like an M stub. It even has some flex to it. It's almost impractical to use for letter writing, but it would be awesome for addressing envelopes and writing cards. It looks like I'll have to develop my writing with B nibs.

 

I'm assuming this pen is from the 1970s. I did some quick research and the best identifying features I came across are that it just says "Germany" on the clip ring and the feed does not have channels running it's entire length.

 

I've attached a few photos. I took a few artistic photos just for fun. Enjoy (I know I will)!

 

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/johnboz/DSC_1904.jpg

 

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b222/johnboz/DSC_1921.jpg

I've got a blog!

Fountain Pen Love

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eilu Vintage

eilu

Posted
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Oh wow, congratulations. Always great to inherit pens; the family history attached to them makes them even more valuable.

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Michael W Vintage

Michael W

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Heirlooms are the best pens.

Parker

51 set

21 set

21 Desk sets

Sheaffer

Preludes F M BP

Imperials

Snorkel Sentinel Admiral Statesman

Craftsmen

No-Nonsense M Italic

Reform 1745

Waterman Phileas F M

Might like a 149 someday!!

A bad day on the water is better than a good day in the office

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sumgaikid Antique

sumgaikid

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Congrats on your new acquisition! You should try to find every opportunity to use it!

BTW,I'm guessing that the filler unit is made of "precious resin" and not brass like the

early models. :thumbup:

 

John

Irony is not lost on INFJ's--in fact,they revel in it.

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blopplop Collectors Item

blopplop

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Amazing, positively amazing! Congratulations on a true blessing. I'm really happy for you. :)

 

Dave

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

http://www.the-highw..._questions.html

 

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii208/blopplop/fpn-verm.jpg

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liapuyat Vintage

liapuyat

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Congratulations! It is amazing how your grandmother has kept it in such great shape!

"Luxe, calme et volupte"

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Doug Add Collectors Item

Doug Add

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What a delightful turn of events! Five years ago for my birthday a friend gave me his Sheaffer oversize Flat Top that had been in the family since his grandfather bought it new in 1924. I treasure that pen. But to have one from your own grandfather must be truly thrilling.

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AndyH Vintage

AndyH

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Heirlooms are the best pens.

 

...and the converse is often true as well.

 

Knowing that you own something that your grandfather used to write love letters to your grandmother, or that your uncle used to send home missives from a WWII destroyer, or that your aunt used to write novels is a wonderful source of inspiration and remembrance, all in a compact form that you can slip into your pocket and use to write new chapters of family history.

I'm Andy H and I approved this message.

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Kelly G Collectors Item

Kelly G

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Congratulations! Having a pen that belonged to a family member or friend is a treasure. I have my Grandfather's Sheaffer set and the set my father received as a HS Graduation gift, along with several pens that belonged to a close friend - those are priceless pens and writing with them is a special experience. Have fun with your pen.

May we live, not by our fears but by our hopes; not by our words but by our deeds; not by our disappointments but by our dreams.

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chkuo Extremely Rare

chkuo

Posted
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Congratulations!

 

Recently I remembered that my grandpa used a FP. Alas, he passed away early and all his belongings were cleared out of the house when I was a kid. I miss him dearly and really wish I have inherited a pen from him. This is my biggest pen-related regret so far.

 

Web: http://chkuo.name/hobbies/

Blog: http://chkuo.blogspot.com/

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Aysedasi Donor Pen

Aysedasi

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Fabulous - you lucky devil you! Impracticable to use for letter writing - I don't think so - you just get fewer words to the line....... ;)

http://www.aysedasi.co.uk

 

 

 

 

She turned me into a newt.......

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Fountainbass Vintage

Fountainbass

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Congratulations on acquiring a wonderful family heirloom! I have my grandfather's 1935 Parker Vacumatic, and I cherish that pen.

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wspohn Antique

wspohn

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I'm assuming this pen is from the 1970s. I did some quick research and the best identifying features I came across are that it just says "Germany" on the clip ring and the feed does not have channels running it's entire length.

 

Must be made after reunification then (1990)

Bill Spohn

Vancouver BC

"Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence"

 

Robert Fripp

https://www.rhodoworld.com/fountain-pens.html

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