12 Aug 2016
Caran d'Ache, Fountain Pens, Limited Edition, Luxury Fountain Pens
Tags: , , , ,

“GOTICA” limited edition fountain pen

(Caran d’Ache Private Collection). Rhodium-coated Sterling Silver.

Limited edition “Gotica” from Caran d’Ache’s “Private Collection”. It is a miniaturized tribute to gothic art and architecture. “Gotica” has a six-sided rhodium-coated sterling silver body and cap and each surface displays a gothic window of rosette and fleurs-de-lis in luminous colours. The edition is limited to 1140 pieces as a tribute to the age which provided its inspiration.

Each of these luxury fountain pens starts its life in the workshops of Barcelona silversmiths Miguel Cunhill who produce the silver framework for the gothic decoration. Caran d’Ache master craftsmen then apply the colours to the pen using a fine brush. The colouring technique is appropriately reminiscent of that used to create stained glass.

Presented in a handsome wooden case, the Gotica is destined to become a reference for collectors.

12 Aug 2016
Caran d'Ache, Fountain Pens, Limited Edition, Luxury Fountain Pens
Tags: , , , , ,

“Harmony” limited edition fountain pen

(Caran d’Ache Private Collection). Gold finished, with Chinese Lacquer.

Limited edition “Harmony” fountain pen: the art of Feng Shui applied to handwriting.

For thousands of years, Chinese culture has been based on the teachings of Feng Shui, which aim to improve the quality of life for each individual. Today, the secrets of this traditional wisdom in the areas of health, wealth and happiness have been revealed and have conquered the rest of the world. It was inevitable that these universal values would capture the attention of Caran d’Ache which has worked with a Feng Shui expert to create the Harmony limited edition. The pen was conceived and developed in accordance with the principles of Feng Shui, helping its owner to make the most of every day of his or her life. It is produced in 888 examples (001 / 888) – a number that favours good luck and prosperity – and the pen is finished in gold, together with genuine red Chinese lacquer.

12 Aug 2016
Fountain Pens, Luxury Fountain Pens, Luxury Writing Instruments, Mont Blanc
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Mont Blanc Solitaire Meisterstuck Fountain Pen

Mont Blanc Solitaire Meisterstuck
fountain pen oddity: can you help?

Mont_Blanc_Solitaire_fountain_pen_open[Update: this pen has now found a new owner]. This Mont Blanc Solitaire fountain pen is possibly an oddity – you’ll see why in a moment or two. But one quick note first… this writing instrument is not ours, but we would like to help a good customer value it, find out how rare it is (or otherwise) and, if appropriate, possibly find a loving home for it. It is possibly an oddity… so please read on and email us if you know any interesting or relevant information. Thank you in advance!

Mont_Blanc_Solitaire_case_openAnd now for the story behind this possibly rare writing implement… probably best described in our customer’s own words back in February this year…

“About 15 years ago I did some work for Dunhill, who I believe owned the Mont Blanc brand. The pen was part of a consignment sent to the States and returned when it was discovered that the nib was 14 carat gold and not 18 carat.

The retail value at the time was $450, see sticker on box… I am not sure if it can be regarded as a collectors piece or purely an oddity. I get the impression that very few exist. (I could be wrong). Apart from this I have no other information.”

So, there you have it. Can you help?

Questions which immediately spring to mind are…..

  • How rare is it?
  • How on earth did this ‘error’ with the nib occur – if it is an error?
  • Is it worth more – or less – because the nib is 14 carat gold, not 18 carat gold?
  • Is there a collector out there who would just love to add it to his/her collection?
  • And the million dollar question…. what would a fair market value be?

Description & Condition

The fountain pen is, in effect, ‘new old stock’ but I’ll expand that description a little more. The owner says that it has never been used (that’s quite evident on inspection, as is the fact that it has never had ink put into it). It even has the original “Made in W. Germany” and “M” stickers on the barrel (see photos).

The original leaflets are still under the pen tray of the presentation case.

  • International Guarantee/Instruction booklet, as new – gold foil and brown cover, interior in black and white with diagrams etc. Clearly the guarantee is no longer valid.Mont_Blanc_Solitaire_documentation
  • Mont Blanc Guarantee card/4 page booklet, as new – litho gold cover with blind embossed logo and black text to reverse and interior. Again, clearly the warranty is now out of date. This card had never been filled in.Mont_Blanc_Solitaire_case_closed
  • Black and white folded leaflet – “Mont Blanc.. instructions for filling.. for converter use.. for continuous use…Exclusive Montblanc Representative in the U.S. and Canada… KOH-I-NOOR RAPIDOGRAPH, INC. Bloomsbury, New Jersey 08804” address and blurb. As new.

The presentation case (with its beige suede effect exterior and brown velvet effect interior) is in ‘new‘ condition having always been More