1993 Montblanc Imperial Dragon

[Michael R.]

P1440768 by pensninks, auf Flickr

1993 was the first year for Montblanc to issue another limited edition Writers Series pen after the first in a series of many.

After the 1992 Hemingway pen the 1993 version honored the British writer Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie.

 

P1440734 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1440772 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

The design of the Writers Edition created in honour of Agatha Christie is based on the classic style of the early 1920s. Around the cap, made of black precious resin, winds a snake made of 925 sterling silver, which hints at the creeping tension of the author’s novels and also serves as the clip of the pen.

The eyes of the snake are set with two rubies that glint bewitchingly. The head of the snake is also engraved on the rhodium-plated 18-karat gold nib. Each Agatha Christie Writers Edition pen is also decorated with the signature of the grande dame of the crime novel.

The design of the Writers Edition created in honour of Agatha Christie is based on the classic style of the early 1920s. Around the cap, made of black precious resin, winds a snake made of 925 sterling silver, which hints at the creeping tension of the author’s novels and also serves as the clip of the pen.

The eyes of the snake are set with two rubies that glint bewitchingly. The head of the snake is also engraved on the rhodium-plated 18-karat gold nib. Each Agatha Christie Writers Edition pen is also decorated with the signature of the grande dame of the crime novel.

Montblanc Writers Edition Agatha Christie

 

The Agatha Christie followed design elements from classic Montblanc Meisterstück pens from the 1920s and 1930s. On the one side the overall shape was based on the 1930s pens like the push knob filled Meisterstück 30. While filling knob and clip were replicated from earlier 1920s safety pens.

 

P1440751 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1440793 by pensninks, auf Flickr

Like most Writers Edition pens it was based on the 146 pen sharing its overall size, nib and feed construction.

 

P1440763 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1440793 by pensninks, auf Flickr

In addition to the regular limited edition pen with 23,000 fountain pens, 18,000 ballpoint pens and 7000 sets (including a mechanical pencil) another model was offered with a lower limitation of 4810 pens.

 

Both pens were simple but yet elegantly designed with a single cap band engraved MONTBLANC MEISTERSTÜCK EDITION, a small ring at the filling knob and a snake winding around the cap top for a clip; very similar to the famous snake clips which could be added to the 1920s safety pens.

The regular edition was fitted with a solid sterling silver trim while the 4810 version uses gold plated sterling silver. The snake eyes were either red rubies complementing the silver trim or blue sapphires for the vermeil. Few pens were made with green emerald eyes and silver trim for a special press event.

 

P1440781 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1440786 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1440788 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

The two tone 18K nib shows a rhodium plated snake head.

 

P1440777 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1440807 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

Back at that time the story went that the snake was not perceived well in some Asian country; it was a sign for bad luck.

Now 1993 became even more interesting for the Writers Edition as yet another version was issued in addition!

 

 

 

The Writers Edition Imperial Dragon gives this glorious creature new life and demonstrates why the dragon has fascinated people for centuries. Each pen in this edition is decorated by an elaborately made dragon clip in 925 sterling silver. Two rubies make the eyes of the dragon glow magically.

The dragon clip and the engraved cap ring form a striking contrast to the barrel, which is made of black precious resin, and the rhodium-plated 18-karat gold nib pays tribute to the mythical creature with an engraving of a dragon’s head.

For generations the dragon, like no other mythological creature, has fascinated people – especially in the Far East. An awe-inspiring, fire-breathing fabled beast and a symbol of omnipotence, goodwill and wisdom, the dragon has also always been an inspiration for and a central element of classic works by authors of fantasy literature.

Montblanc Writers Edition Imperial Dragon

 

P1440813 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

The snake was replaced with a dragon especially for the Asian market with a limitation of 3500 fountain pens, 2000 ballpoint pens, 1500 sets (including a mechanical pencil) all with sterling silver trim and 888 fountain pens with a vermeil trim.

Eyes were also either rubies or sapphires and the nib showed the head of a dragon.

 

P1440756 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1440764 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1440724 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1440776 by pensninks, auf Flickr

This makes it the first and only Writers Edition pen which was not honoring an individual writer but a mythical creature being a central element in historical and fantasy literature. Also those were the first pens in a series of dragon theme editions from Montblanc.

 

P1440739 by pensninks, auf Flickr

P1440773 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1440798 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

Today all those pens are considered to be among the most beautiful recent limited edition pens and are highly sought after.

 

P1440755 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1440731 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1440740 by pensninks, auf Flickr

PS:

I was wondering about the snake being perceived as a symbol of bad luck. Just like the dragon the snake is a chinese zodiac. So is this different to individual Asian countries? More information would be highly appreciated.

P1440760 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1440767 by pensninks, auf Flickr

P1440770 by pensninks, auf Flickr

Cheers

 

Michael

[Wolverine1]

Thanks for posting this, Michael. The photos are wonderful too.

BTW, in Indian mthology ( Hindu mythology) the snake, especially the cobra is supposed to symbolise something good. In, say, the NorthEastern India, where I come from, the snake is worshipped by those people who worship the Goddess Kali. The snake motif is seen in sculptures in temples, it is drawn on entrances of peoples homes, etc.

[ygv]

Great thread Michael!! What a lovely pair!

[Michael R.]

A few years ago an employee of a Montblanc boutique told me that the snake and dragon are actually the same creature in some Asian cultures. Her origin was Asian.

 

Not sure if this is true...

 

 

P1440816 by pensninks, auf Flickr

 

P1440818 by pensninks, auf Flickr

[dubhe]

Lovely photos, thank you. I used to have a Visconti dragon pen which had a similar clip. I do like the vermeil Christie, one day...

[zaddick]

Thank you for the photos and detailed write up.

 

I think the Agatha press edition was 200.

 

And in terms of mythical figures honored in the WE series, I think the Homer also qualifies.

[siamackz]

The photos and write up are wonderful contributions! Thank you!