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Montblanc Meisterstück Le Petit Prince Special Edition 146 Petit Prince and Planet EF “Je suis un jardinier” ~ For several months Fountain Pen Network has been unavailable in the area where I work and live. In order to post this thread with images, it has been necessary to send them to a trusted friend in Africa, who has logged into FPN as me. After he uploads this post, I'm uncertain if I'll be able to see it or see any comments posted because FPN remains inaccessible here. On an overcast afternoon of intense rain, which was the Qingming (Tomb Sweeping) National Holiday, I visited the Montblanc boutique in downtown Shenzhen’s MixC. My purpose was to inquire about the two recently released Special Edition inks which I’d noticed on the Montblanc China Web site. While in the boutique I was told that both inks had arrived two days ago, selling out that very day. The sales staff graciously sold me their last remaining bottle of one ink, assuring me that the other ink would be restocked next month. Immediately upon walking in the entrance I saw in front of me the newly released Montblanc Meisterstück Le Petit Prince Special Edition 146 Petit Prince and Planet. I’d been interested in that particular model after spotting it on the Montblanc China Web site. The prominent ink windows were a feature of high interest. I asked to see and hold the pen. The pen’s solid mass appealed to me, because heft in a smaller fountain pen adds momentum to my cursive handwriting. When looking at the pen’s photos on the Internet, I’d wondered if the golden piston knob might be off-putting. Handling the pen in the boutique, I found that the golden piston knob adds balance. Marketing materials have described this model as being burgundy red resin with champagne gold fittings. That seems to be fairly accurate to my old eyes. As it happens, I’m a lifelong gardener, since my earliest school days. The nib engraving on this model powerfully attracted me due to its connection with gardening. It depicts Le Petit Prince weeding the baobab seedlings sprouting on his planet, which is designated in the book Le Petit Prince as Asteroid B-612. Having seen baobab seedlings in East Africa, I appreciate the diligent husbandry of Le Petit Prince as depicted on the nib. The bright golden nib sets off the subdued deep burgundy red of the pen itself. The color combination has the sort of understated elegance which I enjoy. While I was admiring the M nib display model, they offered to sell me their remaining bottle of Montblanc Homage to Moctezuma I Pierced Sky ink. I thanked them and agreed to buy it. Supposing that was the extent of my boutique business for the afternoon, but hesitant to step back out into the downpour, I light-heartedly asked if they had other nib sizes in stock for the pen model I’d been admiring. Looking in the stock drawer, every box was marked with M. They said that an F could be ordered as a nib exchange. Ridiculously I asked them if there might be an EF in the drawer. They looked and told me that there was indeed a single EF. As soon as I held it, I knew that it was destined for my writing desk. It was my first Montblanc fountain pen purchase since 2018. When I was leaving they kindly offered me a Montblanc umbrella, which I declined with thanks as I already have two Montblanc umbrellas. The Meisterstück Special Edition 146 Prince and Planet is a deep red resin the color of certain cherry varietals whose color explores the darkest tones of red. The champagne gold fittings are plain and understated. Around the upper cap band a quote is engraved: “On ne voit bien qu’avec le coeur.” On the nib Le Petit Prince is shown with his hoe, as well as two stars in the sky and four baobab seedlings. The yellow star on the clip is distinctive, as is the ink window. The pen feels solid in the hand…sturdy. The piston knob turns with ease. The EF sticker on the piston knob is a nice touch. In recent months my work has increasingly required detailed notes in small spaces. I’ve also been writing several hours of French every day, which necessitates appropriate diacritical marks. From the outset of my experience with Montblanc writing tools, I’ve written with EF nibs, which were consistently stellar. Far too many of my EF nibs were gradually repurposed into much broader nibs, leaving my writing desk with few Montblanc EF nibs. Adding the Meisterstück Special Edition 146 Prince and Planet to my writing desk opens 2020 with an especially pleasing daily writer for work purposes. The EF nib is smooth, precise with steady ink flow. It’s ideal for my needs. This rainy afternoon was especially fortunate, providing me with a “rainy day pen”. Following is an image series showing the pen and ink, for anyone who might be interested. Tom K. Bag From the Shenzhen MixC Montblanc Boutique Two Acquisitions Montblanc Homage to Moctezuma I Pierced Sky Ink Le Petit Prince Special Edition Made in Germany Within the Presentation Box First Look Meisterstück Special Edition 146 Petit Prince and Planet EF EF Sticker Meisterstück Cap Band Engraved Le Petit Prince Quote and Montblanc Snow Star 146 Ink Window and EF Nib Le Petit Prince Weeding His Planet, Asteroid B-612 Black Feed