Gold Meisterstuck Fountain Pen

[craigwalsh]

Hi,

 

I bought my original Mont Blanc Meisterstuck pen when I worked in (of all places) American Samoa in 1978 --- and I still have it. The black resin top started to crack after many years of use --- and at about the same time I saw an advertisement for a solid gold Meisterstuck pen. I thought, "I'll bet that won't crack."

 

The gold pen was advertised in inflight and glossy magazines, but I had a very difficult time finding one. I finally located one when I was passing through Frankfurt Airport in May of 1990, and I paid DM 8,750 for it (about US $5,170 at the time). I still have it, and use it every day. I don't think I ever recall seeing another one. It looks just like my black pen, except is gold --- and ribbed. I can post a photograph if that would be helpful.

 

I discovered that if I actually schedule items with my insurance company I get a slightly lower premium. Rather than simply include items, like my gold pen, in the "other" catch-all category, I'm preparing a schedule for the insurance company. The Catch-22 is that the insurance company will only pay out the scheduled value, so if it's too low, that's too bad.

 

I have tried to find some sort of current estimate/guesstimate of the replacement value of my gold pen, but haven't been able to find anything after quite an extensive Google search.

 

Can anyone help me with some background information on my pen, and some idea of a sensible insurance valuation? Or can someone point me in the direction of someone who might be able to assist?

 

Thanks for your help.

 

 

[craigwalsh]

I just found a photograph of my pen on the fountainpen.de website:

 

http://www.fountainpen.de/pics/old/80er/149-solid-gold/open.jpg

 

Of course, because I can't read German the rest of the site was a mystery to me....

[mysta rave]

Damn! Beautiful pen... unfortunately I don't know the value but it sure looks really expensive.

[georges zaslavsky]

  craigwalsh said:

I just found a photograph of my pen on the fountainpen.de website:

 

http://www.fountainpen.de/pics/old/80er/149-solid-gold/open.jpg

 

Of course, because I can't read German the rest of the site was a mystery to me....

I can read german and it says that it was a jeweller version pen that was fully made of 18 carat yellow gold. It was the most expensive pen in the year 1983, its price was also noted in the guiness books of record in 1983. The finition of the pen is guilloché. Rarity has a price, I think it should cost bewteen 10000-12000$. I have rarely seen yellow gold 149 if not never.

[craigwalsh]

I bought mine in early 1990, and it was advertised in magazines about that time. The ads ran for about a month --- and then never again. And I had a very difficult time tracking down the pen: I've never seen one again.

 

The pen had all sorts of problems with leaks. It kept going back to the MB shop in London, and they kept sending it back to the factory. The problems were always blamed on me. I was "pressing too hard." Using the "wrong ink." Etc. etc. I pointed out that I'd been using a similar MB pen --- just not a solid gold version --- for a dozen years without a problem.

 

I asked them to please replace the innards of the pen, pointing out that the innards were much less expensive than the gold exterior. They were reluctant to do so --- and I don't believe they ever did so.

 

This really ticked me off. You'd have thought, from a customer relations standpoint, that the answer would have been "Yes, sir. Gladly." I just didn't expect a pen of this price and quality to repeatedly leak --- and to then have the leaks blamed upon me.

 

[marklavar]

  craigwalsh said:

I bought mine in early 1990, and it was advertised in magazines about that time. The ads ran for about a month --- and then never again. And I had a very difficult time tracking down the pen: I've never seen one again.

 

The pen had all sorts of problems with leaks. It kept going back to the MB shop in London, and they kept sending it back to the factory. The problems were always blamed on me. I was "pressing too hard." Using the "wrong ink." Etc. etc. I pointed out that I'd been using a similar MB pen --- just not a solid gold version --- for a dozen years without a problem.

 

I asked them to please replace the innards of the pen, pointing out that the innards were much less expensive than the gold exterior. They were reluctant to do so --- and I don't believe they ever did so.

 

This really ticked me off. You'd have thought, from a customer relations standpoint, that the answer would have been "Yes, sir. Gladly." I just didn't expect a pen of this price and quality to repeatedly leak --- and to then have the leaks blamed upon me.

 

 

I'm curious to know why you spent so much money on a pen. You could have bought a decent car for the same price!

[craigwalsh]

  Quote

You could have bought a decent car for the same price!

 

Yes, but would I still have the car 17 years later?

 

And if Georges is even remotely correct on the estimated value of the pen (not that I bought it to sell it), my $5,000 purchase has doubled in value. And I've had the joy of using it for 17 years as well. I wonder if my 17 year old car would have also appreciated?

 

I think if you compare prices of frivolous (but fun) things like gold fountain pens with practical things like cars and towels and shoes you'll just be frustrated.

[mr T.]

  Quote

Of course, because I can't read German the rest of the site was a mystery to me....

 

maybe this or this website could be useful.

If you click here it is possible to read the site.

[marklavar]

  craigwalsh said:

  Quote

You could have bought a decent car for the same price!

 

Yes, but would I still have the car 17 years later?

 

And if Georges is even remotely correct on the estimated value of the pen (not that I bought it to sell it), my $5,000 purchase has doubled in value. And I've had the joy of using it for 17 years as well. I wonder if my 17 year old car would have also appreciated?

 

I think if you compare prices of frivolous (but fun) things like gold fountain pens with practical things like cars and towels and shoes you'll just be frustrated.

 

Well, you have a point, but any item is only worth as much as the market is prepared to pay for it. My most expensive pen cost me GBP500, and that is pretty much my limit for any one item, though my overall collection is worth around £7K. But that is 24 pens! Should I sell all my gorgeous pens to buy one gold one? Hmmm..... no.

[craigwalsh]

  Quote

Should I sell all my gorgeous pens to buy one gold one? Hmmm..... no.

The collector's dilemma.

 

I don't collect pens. I have (and use daily) this one pen.

 

We once spent the night in Reims, France --- champagne country. We stayed at a small hotel that was part of a very famous restaurant. At dinner, there was a whole truffle on the menu as a starter/appetizer. I forget how much it cost --- but I seem to recall that you could feed four people very well at another restaurant for just the cost of this one truffle.

 

I had the truffle. So did my wife.

 

The truffles were fantastic.

 

I still remember the truffle --- 15 years later. And I've forgotten most other meals that I've had, particularly 15 years ago.

 

The solid gold fountain pen is like a truffle. Except I can use it every day. How often do you use each of your 24 pens? But if they give you enjoyment (which they obviously do) they're your truffle. Enjoy them.

[ViolinWriter]

You could look at the value of the pen this way.

 

It is worth all the books in the Library of Congress as this pen could write any or all of them. (It'd take a while, but why mess with a good analogy?)

 

Or, you could find a pen dealer that would value the pen based on photographic evidence. This may or may not work.

 

Or, you could find a pen dealer local to you who could work with an expert online to provide a valuation after seeing the pen in person.

 

Or, you could go to the original pen shop where you acquired the pen, or the company that runs those shops at airports, and see if they can help you with valuation.

 

Or, contact an insurance company that writes riders for insurance companies for valuable personal items such as musical instruments, antiques, and such. Sometimes antique auctioneers such as Sotheby or Christies are a good source for finding such companies. The appraisal departments are chock full of well informed people.

 

Another source is to contact Lloyds of London (yeah, I know it sound ridiculous). Lloyds is a syndication house, and their people are helpful if you contact them, assure them you'll not take much time, and ask what steps they'd recommend for insurance of your pen. That call should take no more than 5 minutes of Lloyd's agent time, and check for the 800 number. They used to have one.

 

Good luck to you. Also note that all this information is based on experience in finding an insurance company for my own instruments and for various friends regarding their non-instrument valuables.

 

Oh, and that is a pen to die for. Not literally of course.

[framebaer]

  craigwalsh said:

 

I have tried to find some sort of current estimate/guesstimate of the replacement value of my gold pen, but haven't been able to find anything after quite an extensive Google search.

 

 

 

 

what is the point here? If you want to insure against loss, then what is the cost of a replacemnet Gold 149? Simply go ask Monteblanc the cost and insurance for that! here is the usa that's known as replacement value insurance.

 

Well if you don't want to replace it then just pick a number you would be happy with!

 

Seems to me what you are really asking is "what is this pen currently worth?

Without any recent sales to find the answer to that question, it is impossibel to know.

[marklavar]

  craigwalsh said:

  Quote

Should I sell all my gorgeous pens to buy one gold one? Hmmm..... no.

The collector's dilemma.

 

I don't collect pens. I have (and use daily) this one pen.

 

We once spent the night in Reims, France --- champagne country. We stayed at a small hotel that was part of a very famous restaurant. At dinner, there was a whole truffle on the menu as a starter/appetizer. I forget how much it cost --- but I seem to recall that you could feed four people very well at another restaurant for just the cost of this one truffle.

 

I had the truffle. So did my wife.

 

The truffles were fantastic.

 

I still remember the truffle --- 15 years later. And I've forgotten most other meals that I've had, particularly 15 years ago.

 

The solid gold fountain pen is like a truffle. Except I can use it every day. How often do you use each of your 24 pens? But if they give you enjoyment (which they obviously do) they're your truffle. Enjoy them.

 

 

Fascinating! Yes, I have a lot of truffles - too many!

 

I cannot deny that I would love to be able to buy a solid gold 149; I especailly like the new solid gold one, with the thicker stripes. But I easily fall prey to temptation, so I could never have a monogamous relationship with one pen. I am promiscuous, so I need a harem of beautiful pens to satisfy my needs.

 

Maybe when my in-laws have departed to meet their maker and leave their substantial estate to my wife, I may be able to persuade her to buy me a gold 149. But then I'll probably be 70 by then!

 

[craigwalsh]

  Quote

Simply go ask Monteblanc the cost and insurance for that! here is the usa that's known as replacement value insurance.

Here in the UK, it's called the same thing. (BTW, I am an American --- but live in the UK.)

 

Mont Blanc isn't able to give me a "replacement" value --- simply because they haven't made this pen for many years. And I don't think they made many. So if I were to try to order a new one from them, they would be unable to supply one.

 

The purpose of my posting here was to see if anyone else had any experience with this pen. If, for example, mine was lost or stolen would there be any chance of buying another (i.e. replacement value) from a collector, pen shop, etc.? I gather from the few responses here that it would be quite difficult, if not impossible, for me to purchase another one.

 

  Quote

Seems to me what you are really asking is "what is this pen currently worth?

Without any recent sales to find the answer to that question, it is impossibel to know.

I don't really see a distinction between "what is this pen currently worth" and "what is its replacement/insurance value." And, yes, I guess I'm asking "what is this pen currently worth" so I can give our insurance company a sensible number. The purpose of my forum posting was to see if there had been any recent sales of this pen --- and I gather that the answer to that question is "no." You're pre-supposing that I knew the answer to that question before I posted here. On the contrary. I posted this topic because I didn't know the answer to this question.

 

I think I know the answer now . . .

[RSVP]

I think the one on a website sold about three years ago on ebay ~£2300 if I recall correctly, in new condition.

 

Modern Montblanc pens do not have the resale cache unless it is something rare and widely desirable.

 

As for replacement value an 02246 sell for approximately £8500 retail.

Edited July 12, 2007 by rimmerjar

[slimnib]

I must be missing something? It seems to me that MB sells a solid gold pen today. How much is that?

 

Also MB as a company is awful. They generally treat the costumer with disdain after the sale. Much like a used car dealers.

 

 

I have made up my mind to stay far way from them.

 

 

Harv

 

 

[alfredop]

Hi,

 

I see a pen like your in an antique store in Barcelona last week, unfortunately the price was not exposed and I had not the courage to ask.

 

Genny

[meanwhile]

Surely it's worth paying a few dollars to get this pen valued correctly??? Even a valuation based on the model and a photograph would be better than asking here. I'd contact, say, Richard Binder or Berliner Antiques.

[Kalessin]

  slimnib said:

I must be missing something? It seems to me that MB sells a solid gold pen today. How much is that?

 

The value of a solid-gold pen, or any other collectible object made from precious metals, gemstones, etc, is not necessarily based solely on the value of the components or the value of this year's comparable model.

 

If the Random-Example Pen Company produced a solid-gold pen with one pattern engraved in it twenty years ago in an edition of 200, and they're also producing a solid-gold pen this year in an edition of 20,000, but with identical gold content, then the older pen will have a higher value based on scarcity. Hand-craftsmanship, condition of the item in question, accessories (boxes, papers) and demand in the market (along with other factors) will also influence value. Unlike the art and fine jewelry markets, provenance (the chain of ownership) is not as much of a factor. It's an appraiser's job to sort through the various factors and arrive at their opinion of the true value of an time.

 

A good example is the close but not identical versions of the Parker 75 Sterling Silver in the crosshatch pattern known as Cisele. These pens are found in a few pedestrian versions in ascending order of value: French production, late USA production (with dished ends), early USA production (with flat ends). All three of these types usually sell for around $175-225. However, Parker produced a limited edition (of approximately 4000 pens) called the Spanish Treasure Fleet, using silver from low-value silver coins brought up from a Spanish shipwreck. The pen looks almost the same, same silver grid pattern with gold ends and a gold clip, but with a few more tiny words engraved on it, and some symbols engraved in the ends of the pen. Complete with special boxes and papers, I believe these can be bought now for $1700-2000, ten times as much as the current price of the regular ones (they were originally sold at $75 in 1965, and the regular ones sold for $25). Extensive pictures and information are in Lin-Tah Wong's http://www.parker75.com website, specifically http://www.parker75.addr.com/Reference/Spa...sure_Cisele.htm

Edited June 25, 2007 by Kalessin

[MYU]

  meanwhile said:

Surely it's worth paying a few dollars to get this pen valued correctly??? Even a valuation based on the model and a photograph would be better than asking here. I'd contact, say, Richard Binder or Berliner Antiques.

 

I agree. To heck with MB service. Buy a plain black resin MB 149 that is in great working shape, but scuffed up enough to fetch a lower than average price, and cannibalize the innards for your 149. Take it to a pen repair specialist and have them do it if you don't feel up to the task (it might be a simple disassembly, or it could involve adhesives which can get rather tricky).

 

I'm not a big fan of the iconic 149, but the full gold model must be a very impressive instrument to hold. And those nibs do write beautifully.

Edited June 26, 2007 by MYU