100th Anniversary editions

[fpupulin]

There is no doubt that one of the advantages of Latin, nowadays, is that it sounds exotic enough to add a little salt to anything written or spoken in this "dead language".

 

I found a saying that reiterates this concept and says it in Latin, confirming the fact that, "said in Latin", the thought seems higher and nobler. "Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur", anything written in Latin, sound profound. It is actually a brilliant and playful little phrase, poking fun at itself. I have not found a clear origin for this saying, but it must certainly be something born after Latin had ceased not only to be a living language, but also to be used frequently in administration and religion. A recent saying, then.

 

I wrote it with my three favorite Meisterstück: Calligraphy, The Origin and Hemingway.

 

 

It seemed to me, with the same irony, that the concept could be applied to calligraphy. I think that, like me, you have also noticed how any oration, if written in a graceful hand, magically takes on a greater "depth".

 

In the upper left part of the photograph you can see my attempts to express, in Latin, this concept of calligraphy, their progressive approach to the correct expression.

 

This latter has become the subject of another calligraphic sheet, which does not fit in this thread because the 149 The Origin does not appear there. I have placed it where it belongs, in the very long celebration of the149 Calligraphy. Anyone who would like to see the calligraphic result of an ironic reflection in Latin on calligraphy can find it here: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/354196-the-meisterstück-149-calligraphy-appreciation-thread/page/63/#comments

[NoType]

17 minutes ago, fpupulin said:

over time, there is a mutual rapprochement. I learn to use my hand so that the nib behaves in the most convenient way, and the nib seems, little by little, to get used to the inconveniences of my hand.

Sure, a "perfect marriage" is ideal for writing pleasure, but even a less than linear relationship can, over time, offer joy and satisfaction.

@fpupulin Thank you very much for your perspective.  Yes, patience seems to be the order of the day.

[NoType]

2 minutes ago, fpupulin said:

There is no doubt that one of the advantages of Latin, nowadays, is that it sounds exotic enough to add a little salt to anything written or spoken in this "dead language".

 

I found a saying that reiterates this concept and says it in Latin, confirming the fact that, "said in Latin", the thought seems higher and nobler. "Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur", anything written in Latin, sound profound. It is actually a brilliant and playful little phrase, poking fun at itself. I have not found a clear origin for this saying, but it must certainly be something born after Latin had ceased not only to be a living language, but also to be used frequently in administration and religion. A recent saying, then.

 

I wrote it with my three favorite Meisterstück: Calligraphy, The Origin and Hemingway.

 

 

It seemed to me, with the same irony, that the concept could be applied to calligraphy. I think that, like me, you have also noticed how any oration, if written in a graceful hand, magically takes on a greater "depth".

 

In the upper left part of the photograph you can see my attempts to express, in Latin, this concept of calligraphy, their progressive approach to the correct expression.

 

This latter has become the subject of another calligraphic sheet, which does not fit in this thread because the 149 The Origin does not appear there. I have placed it where it belongs, in the very long celebration of the149 Calligraphy. Anyone who would like to see the calligraphic result of an ironic reflection in Latin on calligraphy can find it here: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/354196-the-meisterstück-149-calligraphy-appreciation-thread/page/63/#comments

@fpupulin As always, we are indebted to your lovely and well crafted post, this time peppered with wit as well as salted with Latin.  From your beauteous scripts, one would never have guessed that you employ patience with your Meisterstück Origin 149, as the results of your hand are unfailingly spectacular.  Many, many thanks!

[NoType]

On 1/27/2025 at 8:06 AM, NoType said:

@Seney724 Unfortunately, none of the three boutique managers with whom I have been speaking over the phone has received word from HQ regarding whether Montblanc will continue to produce The Origin Collection in 2025.  I placed my second call to each of them over the past four days and no one has any new and meaningful information to impart.  

 

Each boutique manager voiced the same theory, however; namely, that the majority — if not the entirety — of Montblanc’s production has shifted to models slated for release in 2025 and beyond.  The implication being that, as you correctly hypothesised, models of The Origin Collection might only be available until current stock is depleted.  

 

I will continue to reach out to the boutique managers to see if any of them has received definite word from Montblanc.  My apologies for the long delay in getting answers.

 

Perhaps another member already has been given concrete information.  If that is the case, one hopes they will contribute to this discussion.

@Seney724 Unfortunately, there is not much in the way of news on this subject.  Evidently the boutique managers are reluctant to provide me with concrete information, preferring instead to imply that your speculation that pieces of  Meisterstück The Origin Collection will only be available in 2025 as current inventory allows, and that new production has ceased.  Perhaps others enjoying a close relationship with Montblanc might be able to shed more light, but, alack, I am unable to oblige further.  Apologies for the long wait for additional information, which it turns out I am unable to furnish.

[NoType]

On 1/23/2025 at 5:11 PM, NoType said:

Unfortunately, all my efforts to protect the Meisterstück Traveller 1924 before turning it in for its complimentary nib exchange to O3B came to naught when the cap inexplicably escaped my fingers while I was showing the nib to a neighbour in the parking garage, skittered in front of the tire of a work truck, and then was pushed by its clip across a short expanse of the garage’s rough concrete floor when the truck moved away, eventually being crushed as the truck’s tire finally rolled over it.  We had been fruitlessly searching for the errant cap behind parked vehicles nearby and were just approaching the truck when its operator drove away.  Immediately after, a sickening crunch could be heard and then we both knew that the cap had met a cruel fate.  

 

I retrieved the remains, photographed the ruined cap next to the intact pen body and nib, 

and then sealed the cap in a small plastic ziplock bag to take both it and the rest of the pen to the boutique for what turned out to be slightly more than a complimentary nib exchange:

 

Such was the shock of the boutique associate and my own discombobulation that neither of us noticed the minor errors on the printout above (“LE1906,” “BB,” “3OB,” absent limitation number) during the visit.

 

Also, a cost estimate for replacement of cap, derby, and clip was not available at that time.  Unfortunately, it will undoubtedly prove to be a significant amount.  I had originally intended to wait until I received notice of the estimate before creating this post, but as a week has now already passed, I thought it best to create a follow-up post when the amount is determined by Montblanc Service.

 

Obviously, to say that I regret removing the pen from its factory seal before taking it to the boutique for its complimentary nib exchange would be a gross understatement.  As would be any remark to the effect that I have surprised myself by demonstrating this level of clumsiness.  

A cost estimate was finally furnished from Montblanc HQ, and, as feared, it is eye-wateringly dear:

 

I have approved the repairs, and now await word from the sales ambassador with whom I usually interact to learn the lead time for completion.  I will update as more information is made available.  

[Cyrille81]

29 minutes ago, NoType said:

 

 

 

A cost estimate was finally furnished from Montblanc HQ, and, as feared, it is eye-wateringly dear:

[...]

 

I have approved the repairs, and now await word from the sales ambassador with whom I usually interact to learn the lead time for completion.  I will update as more information is made available.  

Indeed price is really high unfortunately. Sad for you. And we can see on the cost estimate document, Montblanc is even not able to write the correct name of the pen, it is not LE1906 but 1924

[NoType]

20 minutes ago, Cyrille81 said:

Indeed price is really high unfortunately. Sad for you. And we can see on the cost estimate document, Montblanc is even not able to write the correct name of the pen, it is not LE1906 but 1924

@Cyrille81 Yes, the cost is higher than @Michael R. and others anticipated (€400-€600), unfortunately.  It has proven to be an expensive lesson, both emotionally as well as financially. 

 

As for the misnaming of the pen, I believe that that was the sales ambassador’s original error when creating the service request, and I was informed that once created, it cannot be modified.

[ak47]

1 hour ago, NoType said:

@Cyrille81 Yes, the cost is higher than @Michael R. and others anticipated (€400-€600), unfortunately.  It has proven to be an expensive lesson, both emotionally as well as financially. 

 

As for the misnaming of the pen, I believe that that was the sales ambassador’s original error when creating the service request, and I was informed that once created, it cannot be modified.

So the ambassador does not know the name of the pens that he sells. How down is gone mb.

[a student]

2 hours ago, NoType said:

A cost estimate was finally furnished from Montblanc HQ, and, as feared, it is eye-wateringly dear:

 

I have approved the repairs, and now await word from the sales ambassador with whom I usually interact to learn the lead time for completion.  I will update as more information is made available.  

 

Setting the entirely unreasonable cost aside for a moment, the text of the letter itself seems authoritarian and threatening to me, lacking all courtesy ... very sad and strange coming from a brand that apparently also embodies "culture"

 

Coming to the entirely inordinate cost, who on earth finds any credibility in this fairy tale about "time and careful preparation" undertaken by some odd character tagged as "master craftsman" just for the machine to reproduce a standard 149 cap in resin and in a colour that is a repeat

 

I do hope that the attitude reflects only an exalted sense of self-importance, and not that clients are just "muppets" to be bossed around and fleeced

[NoType]

1 hour ago, ak47 said:

So the ambassador does not know the name of the pens that he sells. How down is gone mb.

@ak47 Well, it is also possible that because the model had only been on the market for ta few months that the service request template may not yet have been created for this particular pen.  However, the ambassador did refer to the pen by its correct name, so it is safe to say that the mislabelled service request is not due to ignorance on their part.

[NoType]

1 hour ago, a student said:

 

Setting the entirely unreasonable cost aside for a moment, the text of the letter itself seems authoritarian and threatening to me, lacking all courtesy ... very sad and strange coming from a brand that apparently also embodies "culture"

 

Coming to the entirely inordinate cost, who on earth finds any credibility in this fairy tale about "time and careful preparation" undertaken by some odd character tagged as "master craftsman" just for the machine to reproduce a standard 149 cap in resin and in a colour that is a repeat

 

I do hope that the attitude reflects only an exalted sense of self-importance, and not that clients are just "muppets" to be bossed around and fleeced

@a student Apologies for not including the introductory page to the estimate, wherein the tone is more gracious:

(Though I requested an O3B nib, the service request was erroneously written as a BB nib request, which was corrected to O3B in an internal note.)

 

The second page (the page I included up-thread) is more business-like and matter-of-fact regarding terms and conditions.

 

(The third page is devoted to signature approval, where it is reiterated that the estimated lead time is eleven weeks, subject to parts availability.  I await word for confirmation of that estimated lead time.)

[Seney724]

8 hours ago, NoType said:

@Seney724 Unfortunately, there is not much in the way of news on this subject.  Evidently the boutique managers are reluctant to provide me with concrete information, preferring instead to imply that your speculation that pieces of  Meisterstück The Origin Collection will only be available in 2025 as current inventory allows, and that new production has ceased.  Perhaps others enjoying a close relationship with Montblanc might be able to shed more light, but, alack, I am unable to oblige further.  Apologies for the long wait for additional information, which it turns out I am unable to furnish.

Many thanks for remembering & providing this very insightful update @NoType.  Your ever present, gracious thoughtfulness is always appreciated.

[lamarax]

10 hours ago, NoType said:

 

 

 

 

...is that USD?? 😨

[a student]

8 hours ago, NoType said:

@a student Apologies for not including the introductory page to the estimate, wherein the tone is more gracious:

(Though I requested an O3B nib, the service request was erroneously written as a BB nib request, which was corrected to O3B in an internal note.)

 

The second page (the page I included up-thread) is more business-like and matter-of-fact regarding terms and conditions.

 

(The third page is devoted to signature approval, where it is reiterated that the estimated lead time is eleven weeks, subject to parts availability.  I await word for confirmation of that estimated lead time.)

 

Thank you for sharing this document- the way one puts words together and uses language is very revealing. I must confess that the option of repair via Kintsugi (here and here) and a conversation that can assuredly be relied upon to be polite, does cross my mind, but that is just one odd opinion.