Question About This L129

[Pterodactylus]

Well said.

 

Beside that I think that it's not really complicated (beside the nib) to make a good replica of any pen.

They are not very complex and have only few parts.

 

If you are willing to pay a premium for a handmade replica you can get it.

Edited February 11, 2014 by Pterodactylus

[JonSzanto]

As a friend of the OP, I won't continue this any longer.

[Pterodactylus]

A wonderful example of a fantastic reconstruction work is this 139 demonstrator (partly replica) done by Max:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/259621-139-demonstrator/?p=2880621

 

So no rocket science is needed, if something is broken it can be replaced, it's only a matter of how expensive it will be.

[ethernautrix]

I love the passion! I think such arguments are good and useful, even if a tad heated. Thank you, Jon and Pterodactylus, for your opinions.

 

As I've said, I am in the user camp almost always, but knowing that there are more enthusiastic Montblanc collectors and users for whom the L129 is a grail pen, I would feel satisfied being a small part of the pen's journey to that collection (whether or not the eventual owner uses the pen everyday or builds a shrine to it).

 

Justin and CS388, thank you for the lovely words. Yes, some remarkable chance put this pen in my hands. I feel more like its conduit than its destination, if that makes sense.

 

Azuniga, you are right about the nib, that it does not look oblique. We did not believe it was oblique, although the nib writes with what I said was a hint of italic which might be another way of describing an oblique fine. It seems likely that someone loved writing with this pen, as the tip shows. There is, however, plenty of iridium left.

 

I will post more photos today. Meanwhile, here is a link to the restorer's photos: Memopens. Enjoy!

 

Thank you, everyone, for your opinions and kind words.

Edited February 11, 2014 by ethernautrix

[ethernautrix]

  On 2/11/2014 at 9:25 AM, Pterodactylus said:

A wonderful example of a fantastic reconstruction work is this 139 demonstrator (partly replica) done by Max:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/259621-139-demonstrator/?p=2880621

 

So no rocket science is needed, if something is broken it can be replaced, it's only a matter of how expensive it will be.

 

Wow, that is incredible! Thank you for sharing this link. Somehow I had missed it. Max does amazing work!

[Opooh]

  On 2/11/2014 at 9:25 AM, Pterodactylus said:

A wonderful example of a fantastic reconstruction work is this 139 demonstrator (partly replica) done by Max:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/259621-139-demonstrator/?p=2880621

So no rocket science is needed, if something is broken it can be replaced, it's only a matter of how expensive it will be.

Max ( i.e. Francis and Tom ) are to Montblanc, what is Ferrari Classiche to Ferrari. So, as long as we have such wizards amongst us, I see no reason why I should not use an object for the purpose it was build for.

[Sblakers]

Just my two cents but i'd use the (bleep) outa this pen

[Michael R.]

Thank's for the additional photos; what a stunning pen.

 

If I were you; I'd keep the pen (at least for a while)

 

I love the idea that such a pen is in the hands of a true enthusiast and not just resting somewhere in a collection.

 

Cheers

 

MIchael

 

 

PS: In addition I really would love to hear the story how you found it.

[camoandconcrete]

I second the story.

[ethernautrix]

Just catching up. I wasn't pleased with the photos I took. But hold on, let me post them anyway. The restorer's photos are much better for detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

See what I mean? These looked much better in my head as I was taking them. Heh.

Edited February 12, 2014 by ethernautrix

[ethernautrix]

Here are a few shots from yesterday afternoon.

 

 

 

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Story. I wish I had an amazing story. Basically, one of the restorer's longtime colleagues (here in Poland) has had this pen for a long time and wanted to trade, since he isn't a Montblanc collector. Now, after all this deliberation about keeping the pen, I have an agreement with the restorer to sell it, so I ask that you direct your inquiries to her; you can PM her here on FPN at coffe_cup. She has been apprised of all correspondence I have had to date.

 

As reference, she was instrumental in the restoration of the Pelikan 101N, the thread about which has been revived (coincidentally) here: Pelikan 101N After 72 Years In The Grave. This is a much more interesting story.

 

 

Edit: Doi, wrong first picture!

Edited February 12, 2014 by ethernautrix

[ethernautrix]

In the mad dash to be on time for an appointment, I seem to have made this non-story even more non, so to speak.

 

Again, not an amazing story at all, but here are the scintillating details: I happened to be here when the conversation happened between the restorer and her colleague who, as I said, had owned the pen for a long time. He is a vintage collector but not of Montblanc. Pens and cash were involved - typical story, nothing about poking around a deceased person's estate or a yard sale. Recently, the pen came up in a casual conversation - pen discussions, you know how they go - and then negotiation and then transaction, and suddenly the pen was in my hands.

 

As I've explained to others: dumb luck.

 

I knew the L129 was rare, but I didn't understand how rare. In a way, the pen reminds me of the Ark of the Covenant in Indiana Jones, how the expectation was that the Holy Grail would be made of gold and bejeweled, but it was a plain wooden goblet. Aside from the three shiny rings on the L129, there isn't any bling.

 

Now, if you will excuse me, I need to order another Nakaya.

[menoeceus]

I don't think "O" stands for Oblique. If I remember correctly, the O for Oblique was always in connection with the width/strength designation: OF, OM etc. I can look it up when I get home from the LA show. But I bet Osman knows.

 

[provis]

Someone had already clarified earlier in the thread. O was the conventional designation for OM much earlier on. This would correspond with my late 134s and 1st generation 144 O-marked nibs, which are oblique and fall between F and M.

 

  On 2/12/2014 at 7:29 PM, menoeceus said:

I don't think "O" stands for Oblique. If I remember correctly, the O for Oblique was always in connection with the width/strength designation: OF, OM etc. I can look it up when I get home from the LA show. But I bet Osman knows.

 

[ethernautrix]

Thanks, Chris. Say hello to Pen Posse for me in LA. Have a great time at the show! I'll be interested in any treasures you find.

[mirosc]

  On 2/12/2014 at 2:06 PM, ethernautrix said:

Now, if you will excuse me, I need to order another Nakaya.

 

As interesting as the 129 might ever be, she definitely knows her priorities...

[JLS1]

  On 2/12/2014 at 2:06 PM, ethernautrix said:

In the mad dash to be on time for an appointment, I seem to have made this non-story even more non, so to speak.

 

Again, not an amazing story at all, but here are the scintillating details: I happened to be here when the conversation happened between the restorer and her colleague who, as I said, had owned the pen for a long time. He is a vintage collector but not of Montblanc. Pens and cash were involved - typical story, nothing about poking around a deceased person's estate or a yard sale. Recently, the pen came up in a casual conversation - pen discussions, you know how they go - and then negotiation and then transaction, and suddenly the pen was in my hands.

 

As I've explained to others: dumb luck.

 

I knew the L129 was rare, but I didn't understand how rare. In a way, the pen reminds me of the Ark of the Covenant in Indiana Jones, how the expectation was that the Holy Grail would be made of gold and bejeweled, but it was a plain wooden goblet. Aside from the three shiny rings on the L129, there isn't any bling.

 

Now, if you will excuse me, I need to order another Nakaya.

 

Thanks for sharing the story. I was hoping for at least 1 high-speed car chase, a gun/kung-fu battle on top of a moving train and a couple of explosions, but I guess Michael Bay is busy with Transformers 4... (and 5...and 6...). I do agree with you on the 'lack of bling' part: this is something that MB seems to have forgotten in many of their LEs and RLEs (REALLY Limited Editions).

 

I guess the Nakaya shield is down for a while, but given what you will likely get for the L129, you'll be able to order several Nakayas...and not the 'off-the-shelf' models, either. Maybe you can give Ricky a run for his money!

 

Whatever happens, enjoy the pen(s)!

[ethernautrix]

  On 2/13/2014 at 10:18 AM, mirosc said:

 

As interesting as the 129 might ever be, she definitely knows her priorities...

 

This made me laugh out loud.

 

And made me think of this:

 

[ethernautrix]

  On 2/13/2014 at 12:40 PM, JLS1 said:

 

Thanks for sharing the story. I was hoping for at least 1 high-speed car chase, a gun/kung-fu battle on top of a moving train and a couple of explosions, but I guess Michael Bay is busy with Transformers 4... (and 5...and 6...). I do agree with you on the 'lack of bling' part: this is something that MB seems to have forgotten in many of their LEs and RLEs (REALLY Limited Editions).

 

I guess the Nakaya shield is down for a while, but given what you will likely get for the L129, you'll be able to order several Nakayas...and not the 'off-the-shelf' models, either. Maybe you can give Ricky a run for his money!

 

Whatever happens, enjoy the pen(s)!

 

Oh, Justin, it hurts me that I don't have a tale that could become legend, some kind of Mission: Impossible, Tom Cruise-like maneuver (but real, not green screen) with which to regale all of you. Alas.

 

As for Ricky, I doubt I will ever give him a run for his money. His money moves much too fast for me.

 

Thanks, Justin!

[Opooh]

  On 2/13/2014 at 10:18 AM, mirosc said:

As interesting as the 129 might ever be, she definitely knows her priorities...

Errare humanum est.