One of the beauties of well-made pens is that, like a good mechanical watch, they seem capable, with care, of lasting essentially indefinitely. The use of such materials for nib tips is essential for creating a pen that can be used for many years and in my own collection, there are pens from the 1920s and 1930s with iridium tips that write just as well now as they did ninety or a hundred years ago. The reason for using these metals is that they have excellent resistance to abrasion (a property which makes them extremely hard to machine, but very good for things like jewelry and watch cases). The tipping material, as we've already mentioned, is usually a combination of various metals from the platinum family. The Rouge et Noir advertisements played up this angle with an image of a gent in white tie placing a Rouge et Noir pen into a white vest pocket – risky business in 1907.Īfter the nib has been stamped out, there are quite a few further production steps, including engraving, plating with rhodium – for instance, for the two-tone nib of a 149 – and welding the tipping material onto the nib. Safety pens are so-called because they have a retractable nib when the nib is telescoped into the barrel and the cap screwed down, the pen is sealed against leakage. The company's first pen was the Rouge et Noir safety pen. But, I found myself picking up only the MBs while the other pens just sat in my drawer. Over the subsequent two years, I curated a collection that included sets of Waterman, Sheaffer, Pelikan, Kaweco, Montblanc (MB), and other brands. GMBH in 1907, at the same time it moved from Berlin to Hamburg. This experience ignited my passion for vintage pens and also the art and science of vintage pen restoration. Montblanc got its start when three German partners created the Simplizissiumus-Füllhalter pen company in 1906, which changed its name to Simplo Filler Pen Co. by Jim Mamoulides, December 21, 2001, Updated. In the beginning, they were generally just simple tubes (usually made of vulcanized rubber) which could be filled with an eyedropper by the turn of the century, however, the development of filling systems using pistons or inflatable rubber bladders had begun. If you are looking for gift ideas then browse our selection of gifts for him and her, weddings, graduation, retirement or corporate.There were precursors to the modern fountain pen that had certain elements of what we know as the fountain pen today, but it wasn't until the late 1880s that recognizably modern fountain pens began to appear. We also stock refills for Montblanc ballpoint, rollerball, fountainpens and pencils.Įstablished in 1906, Montblanc has expanded its collection beyond writing instruments to include high-quality luxury leather goods, timeless jewellery and elegant stationery, all crafted with the brand’s signature meticulous care and attention to detail.
Explore our full range of ballpoint, rollerball, fountain pens and pencils.
From the brand’s iconic Meisterstück fountain pen, first produced in 1924, to the latest Limited Edition releases.
While the classic design of Montblanc pens means they’re suitable for everyday use, many of the company’s designs become desirable cult collectors’ items. You’ll find writing instruments made with precious resins, high-tech ceramics, and platinum coatings. As authorised Montblanc stockists, The Pen Shop invites you to explore the craftsmanship and artistry of this luxury brand.