Enjoying Montblanc Pens — Broad, Oblique, Extra Fine, Le & Bespoke

[Tom Kellie]

Using A Light Tent for Fountain Pen Photography

~ All of the fountain pen photographs I post are made with indirect natural light, due to the configuration of the north-facing kitchen counter in my apartment, which receives light reflected from an adjacent faculty housing building.

The availability of such soft natural light makes possible images wherein the subject is highlighted to satisfying effect. However, not all residences receive such abundant indirect light.

One alternative is to prepare or purchase a light tent. That causes light to be evenly diffused, minimizing shadows, with the background a neutral solid tone.

Such small objects as fountain pens, nibs, ink bottles and pencils stand out when photographed in a light box, even if it's a simple draped sheet or a light-colored pillowcase.

Fountain pens photographed in regular well-lit spaces are lovely. Yet those photographed in a light box have a special impact due to standing out from their background.

This is true not only for fountain pen photographs with cameras and detachable lenses, but also for those photographed with smart phone camera lenses.

Here is a basic tutorial about the use of light boxes for photographing small subjects:

https://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-use-a-light-tent-for-small-product-photography/

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https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/47876-a-few-moew-pictures-of-my-marquis-de-pompadour/

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/281586-the-poa-2001-pompadour-or-poa-2012-joseph-ii/

http://www.montblanc.com/en-us/discover/limited-editions/patron-of-art/marquise-de-pompadour.html

As an illustration of the difference between fountain pen photos with and without a light box, above are two FPN threads.

They both include outstanding images of the 2001 Montblanc POA Marquise de Pompadour fountain pen, with a cap of fine porcelain made by Meissen.

The 2007 images by AndyW of his POA Marquise de Pompadour were made using a light tent, which he noted was new to him at that time.

The 2015 images by Sampanel of the POA Marquise de Pompadour which he acquired after asking questions in the thread, were made with illumination but without a light tent.

The first set of three images below were made by AndyW with a light tent, while the second set of three images was made by Sampanel without a light tent.

Both sets of images are appealing, as the respective photographers composed the photographs so as to bring out the Limited Edition pen's attractive design.

The difference is one of degree. I like both sets of images. They illustrate different approaches to sharing the beauty of Montblanc fountain pens.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Wow! These OBBs are thirsty for ink. I wrote my 149 OBB dry today, so I rinsed and refilled with a different ink, Sailor Jentle Nioi-Sumire (a.k.a. "Sweet Violet").

 

If my recommendation counts for much, I highly recommend the Sailor Jentle line of inks. Not only are they well-behaved in modern and vintage pens alike, especially in ink-thirsty B/BB/OB/OBB/OBBB nibs, they have some amazing sheen properties that really looks fantastic when used on fine papers, like Clairefontaine, Rhodia, or Tomoe River. It's difficult to capture in photos, but in person, the effect is quite nice! The Nioi-Sumire features a red sheen outline of the each letter, while the Tokiwa-Matsu is almost an iridescent golden-red in places where ink pools or pen strokes meet in a character.

 

If I have one criticism, and it's entirely unrelated to the performance of the ink on paper, it's the squatty-body bottles that Sailor uses. The bottles are a lovely shape with a nice wide lid, but they are not deep, and the included ink-miser is not deep enough for a large Montblanc #9 nib. Even with it removed, I have to carefully tilt the bottle at a steep angle to make sure the feed is properly submerged in order to get a complete fill. Eventually, I'll decant these inks into other vessels that are more convenient for filling.

 

I also found a few Montblanc-branded pen stands on Evil Bay the other day--I'm assuming they're formerly display items from a boutique or authorized dealer. Unfortunately, one was damaged in shipping, but I think that Superglue will fix it. Luckily, not made from "precious resin"!

 

Today's quote from one of America's great humorists, Mark Twain.

 

~ Hi, Jeremy!

 

Your Montblanc pen display stands are attractive. I've never seen anything like them.

Your recommendation of Sailor Jentle inks is appreciated. Yours truly has never before heard of them.

An ink with sheen would be an entirely fresh experience as I've never seen such.

Thank you for the fountain pen quotes. They're a valuable addition to this thread, both for the thoughts and for the handwritten lines and decoration.

Your enthusiasm for broader, oblique nibs qualifies you for extra helpings of Ghost Plane's latest batch of cookies, straight out from the oven.

Enjoy!

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

[Tom Kellie]

Future Ink Release?

[Ghost Plane]

 

Future Ink Release?

If you have to ask, you can’t afford it! Ha

[jconn]

 

While I wait for another 149 (with an 18c EF nib) to arrive from France, I played with my favorite pair of vintage 342s.

[jconn]

If you have to ask, you can’t afford it! Ha

 

My thoughts exactly!

 

"Croesus Green dries quickly and won't ruin when exposed to tears, wailing, or gnashing of teeth."

[Tom Kellie]

Happy Valentine's Day 2018!

Zuji received a chew bone. Tom received what Zuji's mouth will never touch.

[Tom Kellie]

Four Montblancs and a Pelikan Arrive

~ The most recent pen to arrive was the Red Gold 149 OBBB which was received in late December, 2016. Due to the complex logistics in the area where I work, no fountain pens were acquired in 2017.

Two years ago the only pre-owned Montblancs I ever acquired arrived, a pair of 3-42 Gs. Since that time my interest in well-wrought nibs has intensified with a corresponding interest in older Montblanc nibs.

Thanks to the exceptional kindness of several former students now employed in various countries, it was possible to locate and purchase several older Montblanc pens and a Pelikan pen.

The pens weren't sought as collectibles, with appearance not at all a factor, but the emphasis was on writing quality, with outstanding nibs for daily sketching and writing being the priority.

My highly capable friends acted as agents, assembling the group of pens, shipping them once, then again, and finally a third time, in order to minimize pilferage.

Today is Valentine's Day where I work and live. It was a blue sky, chilly day. It would have been my mother's 94th birthday, had she lived.

A FedEx package which had been re-sent by a domestic delivery company arrived today, on the cusp of the arrival of the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Dog, which delights Zuji.

When the package was opened, all five pens arrived without any damage. After testing them this afternoon, it's self-evident that they're all superb writers with one being truly extraordinary.

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Following are the fountain pens which arrived this afternoon:

• A. Early 1950s Pelikan 400 honey amber tortoise 400 — 14K retro script nib — OF Oblique Fine

• B. 1967 Montblanc 24 — 14C gold nib — EEF Extra Extra Fine

• C. 1967 Montblanc 24 — 14C gold nib — OF Oblique Fine

• D. Early 1960s Montblanc 32 — 14C gold nib — EEF Extra Extra Fine

• E. Early 1960s Montblanc 32 — 14C gold nib — OBBB Oblique Triple Broad

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Having tested all of them, I'm confident that there will be ample occasion to use them for sketching and writing.

Pens which are great beauties have limited appeal as my pens are necessarily workhorses which see frequent use in the field or in dusty classrooms.

If the pens are treated with consideration and reasonable care, there's every reason to anticipate happy hours sketching or writing with them in the hand.

These pens qualify for this thread as they include oblique, broad and extra fine nibs. I'm deeply grateful for the assistance of my friends, who made this shipment of pens possible.

Tom K.

Shipped Three Times

Quintet

Four Montblancs and One Pelikan

From left to right: Montblanc 24 EEF, Montblanc 24 OF, Montblanc 32 OBBB, Montblanc 32 EEF, Pelikan 400 OF

February 2018 Acquisitions

Two OF Nibs

Edited February 14, 2018 by Tom Kellie

[Tom Kellie]

32 EEF

32 EEF Nib

[Tom Kellie]

32 OBBB

32 OBBB Nib

[Tom Kellie]

24 EEF

24 EEF Nib

[Tom Kellie]

24 OF

24 OF Nib

24 on Ring

24 Ink Window

[Tom Kellie]

Pelikan 400 OF

Pelikan 400 OF Retro Script Nib

OF and Barrel

[Amit.]

Congrats TOM !!! What a valentines day for you !!! Keep enjoying those lovely pens !!!

[Pravda]

Theyre so much prettier than anything I could have expected..!!! Congratulations Tom kellie for such an amazing acquisition despite not being acquainted with vintage Montblancs these pens (and particularly the Montblanc 24) have me smiling as I sensed a tinge of envy haha your photography as always brings everything to life

 

Hope you enjoy them in great days! And now that you have found / tested the way to make pens reach you, anxiousness is heightened in anticipation for other arrivals.

[thygreyt]

Wow, what a joyous day and a momentous occasion!

 

The photos are of the highest quality, always representing Montblanc in an amazing light! (double meaning!)

 

Let these pens bring you peace and joy upon use!

 

RT.

[Kalessin]

What a great package to receive, Tom! What a treat to see your photos, descriptions, and writing samples posted so quickly!

 

The two-digit Montblanc models can definitely provide great nibs; they were MB's version of the new slim design aesthetic for the 1960s that most pen manufacturers were adopting. MB kept the 149 in production, but I think it was the two-digit models that kept MB going.

[empliau]

Gorgeous and wonderful! Almost as beautiful as the adorable Zuji! Gung hay fat choy!

[Memorexx]

Just went to my mb boutique to get my new beatle fp checked. The nib is kind of scratchy. Its a m nib. He will send it to hq and get it fixed.

Naturally I was playing with the tester pens and I was thinking about getting a b or bb nib instead of my m nib.

He told me to write out the word Westerland. Haha. Well the e and s were horrible. The gap in the e was closed and the s looked smudged. How is your handwriting looking if you use double b nibs?

So ended up on staying with my m nib.

He also told me that for the limited editions there would be the possibility of obbb. Always thought only 149 has that option...