Search the Community

Introduction As announced in my review about the MB POA Semiramis, here it is finally: A review of another beautiful pen from the Patron of Art series: Max von Oppenheim. Montblanc started the release of this Patron of Art series in 1992 with the, now famous and highly wanted, Medici pen. These limited editions only consist of a fountain pen in a lacquered wooden box and are released in spring. Two versions of this series are issued: a 4810 version (limited to 4.810 pieces) and an 888 version (limited to 888 pieces), made of more precious materials. The pen under review here is the 4810-version, issued in 2009. So, this really great pen is a tribute to Max von Oppenheim. Who was he, that Montblanc dedicates a pen in the Patron of Art series to him? Max von Oppenheim (born 1860) was a German lawyer, diplomat, ancient historian, and archaeologist. He is most famous for his studies of Middle Eastern culture and the discovery of the site of Tell Halaf in 1899. After leaving the diplomatic service he started excavations there in 1911 and again in 1929. He brought many of his finds to Berlin and exhibited them in a private museum. Max von Oppenheim, who has been called "the last of the great amateur archaeological explorers of the Near East", died in 1946. The site of Tell Halaf dates to the 6th millennium BC. During the excavations Oppenheim found the ruins of the Aramaean town of Guzana, which flourished at the turn of the 2nd / 1st millennium BC. After a revolt, the Aramaean palace had been destroyed and the town plundered by the Assyrian queen Semiramis and in 808 BC Guzana became an Assyrian province. This event is the link between the MBPOA pens Semiramis and Max von Oppenheim, two pens I both like; because of the theme of the pen as well as the shown craftsmanship in making them. Let’s take a closer look to the pen now. Appearance & Design (9/10) The (sealed) Oppenheim pen comes in a black (dark green inside) lacquered wooden inner box with booklet, a brown outer box with a picture of stone carvings (on the booklet there is the same picture) and a white cardboard box sleeve. On the wooden box there is a lion (tiger?) figure and the Montblanc logo. boxes and boxes The pen itself is made of 925 sterling silver with translucent grey lacquer inlays, that gives the pen a beautiful three-dimensional effect. On the cap and barrel of this pen are gold plated rings that bear a geometric pattern which can be found not only on the greatest discovery of Von Oppenheim – the facade of the temple palace – but also on prehistoric ceramics from Tell Halaf. Pen in the box pattern of the barrel and cap The centre band of the pen is decorated with reliefs inspired by motifs on the temple façade as well. This engravings have a very good level of detail. The number of the pen is on top of the cap, just under the gold plated ring, next to the clip. The silverstamps are placed on the grip of the pen. detail center band pen detail centerband pen nib detail silverstamps The pen has a rhodium plated 18k – 750 golden nib (size M) with a fine engraving of a Bedouin caravan, the year of issue (2009) and the Montblanc logo. I’m told that the engraving stands for “Oppenheim’s major contribution to research into the history and culture of the Bedouins and his life as a Bedouin during his explorations”. Well, if they say so. I just think it’s a nicely engraved nib that suites the pen well. Construction & Quality (9/10) This truly is a heavyweight pen and it feels very solid. The pen opens quickly with just 1 full turn of the cap. The piston works very smoothly as well. So nothing to complain here for me. pen outof the box detail cap with number of the pen Weight & Dimensions (8/10) Some pen-statistics: Length capped: app. 14,5 cmLength uncapped / unposted: app. 13 cmLength posted: not possible to post this penLength pen cap: app. 6,1 cmDiameter: pen: app. 1,4 cm on the , on the grip: 1,1 cm Weight capped: 72 gramsWeight uncapped: 42 gramsSo I didn’t exaggerate: this really is a heavy pen that would ruin your breast pocket if you were planning to put it there when not in use. But: I like writing with it. It is very well balanced in my hand and I think I could write with it for hours on end easily (I never have to write that long in a row though ). Because of the weight and the perfect balance in the hand, it is not necessary to post this pen. And that is quite convenient, while posting this pen is not possible. Nib & Performance (7,5/10) The pen on review here has a rhodium-plated 18k – 750 golden medium nib. Montblanc gives his POA’s standard from factory a fine or medium nib. If you want a different line on your paper, the pen has to go on a holiday to Hamburg for a while for a nib exchange. This could be a disadvantage for some of us. But most of my pens have a f- or m-nib, so for me it’s ok. The pen writes a nice and true medium wet line on the paper. It does this smoothly with just a little feedback; the way I like it . Sometimes, when writing fast, the nib talks to me. As if it would say: “no, not to fast, enjoy our moment and relax a bit”! nib & cap detail Filling System & Maintenance (8/10) The pen has a piston-filling mechanism for use with bottled ink. It is what I expect with this kind of pens. I use this pen frequently and the piston still runs very smoothly (although my LE Pelican runs smoother). It holds a good amount of ink: I can write just over a week with this pen on one fill. You can conclude from that I don’t write that much, which is true. But I have pens that need a refill after an couple of days. Cost & Value (9/10) This pen was (or is?) not the POA most asked for. So when I bought it, prices where well under the original retail price. Good for me, because I like this pen very much and I enjoy writing with it. And imho: that counts a lot! But I think the pen gives good value for money given the used materials and detailed finishing as well (not only for the pen but for its box as well), even for the original retail price. Conclusion (Final score 8.4) So, we have to come to a final conclusion now: In short: I like this pen a lot. It has great looks and finishing. There is a nice and subtle relief on the pen that makes that I want to hold it. When using this pen, I often find myself playing with it (my colleagues are used to my sometimes somewhat strange pen habits by now, so I don’t have to worry about it ). Furthermore: It writes very well and the theme of the pen (archaeology) appeals to me. pen and its inspiration This is a pen I will enjoy for a long, long time. And to everyone who likes silver pens that are on the heavy site of the spectrum, piston-filled, with a special touch in finishing and not that common I would say: highly recommended! (but of course I’m not entirely objective in this manner )