100th Anniversary editions

[marlinspike]

Having done nib exchanges all over the world, it's a bit of a luck of the draw with the speciality nibs. If they happen to have a nib with the speciality stamp on hand in the country where it is being sent for the exchange it is fast, if not you have to wait until they make one (which was a very long wait for a petit prince model in Hamburg 3 years after it was discontinued but the USA happened to have one on hand and that pen had a 2 week turnaround).

[NoType]

34 minutes ago, marlinspike said:

. . .If they happen to have a nib with the speciality stamp on hand in the country where it is being sent for the exchange it is fast, if not you have to wait until they make one. . .

@marlinspike You raise an excellent point which identifies the major rate-limiting step in the entire process.

[NoType]

44 minutes ago, marlinspike said:

Having done nib exchanges all over the world

@marlinspike And I neglected to add that your experience with nib exchanges in many countries is invaluable to this conversation.

[ak47]

5 hours ago, NoType said:

@fpupulin I wholeheartedly agree that requesting the complimentary nib exchange from the point of sale at first time of purchase is the ideal strategy so that any shipping issues are the pen seller’s responsibility and the buyer has only one period of waiting.  This period may also be reduced because oftentimes an authorised retailer waits for less time than does a private individual for services like complimentary nib exchanges.  

 

This time savings does not seem to apply to products purchased from the local boutique, however.  At least not in my fairly recent experience.  A purchase of a Grimm 1812 directly from the local boutique‘s stock two years ago married with an immediate request for a BB nib resulted in a delay of four months before the pen was returned to the boutique with the new nib size, a wait that was two weeks longer than when an aunt surprised me with the gift of a second Grimm 1812 from overseas (a Singapore boutique) and arranged for a BB complimentary nib exchange through that authorised retailer five days after I had already treat myself with my Grimm 1812 to mark a personal achievement, in an unplanned bit of “doubling up” on a much-anticipated pen.  Both pens, identical models, were turned in within days of one another for complimentary nib exchanges to identical size nibs, one from the local boutique at point of sale, and the other from an overseas boutique at point of sale, and the overseas pen gift was delivered to me two weeks earlier than the local purchase was returned to the boutique.  

 

This time differential might just have been a fluke, but I have heard of others having followed your strategy for complimentary nib exchanges at point of sale during first purchase and being very satisfied by both the relative alacrity with which the pens were delivered with the new-size nibs and the hassle-free nature of the process.  

 

My local boutique still has a 149 Traveller (130327) in stock.  I wonder if purchasing that model there and immediately asking for a complimentary nib exchange would result in a wait equal in length to purchasing the same pen set from an overseas boutique and immediately asking that distant boutique to first arrange the complimentary nib exchange and then ship the pen?  An expensive experiment, to be sure (and perhaps not yielding statistically significant results due to the minuscule sample size).

 

There is no doubt, however, that having a distant seller arrange the complimentary nib exchange is less stressful than receiving the pen and then shipping the pen back for a nib exchange, which will be what I will need to do when the 149 Traveller eventually arrives from overseas.

 

 

It is a nice story...but you now have two grimm 1812 wirh the same nib??

Uaoo

[NoType]

On 11/6/2024 at 1:11 PM, ak47 said:

It is a nice story...but you now have two grimm 1812 wirh the same nib??

Uaoo

@ak47 Well, yes, I initially did.  When I learned earlier this year that a cousin who regularly enjoys a Montblanc Homer 9800 with a B nib but was contemplating a wider nib also admired the Grimm 1812, I first gained confirmation from her husband that she had not ordered one already and then lassoed him into a conspiracy of silence so that I could “pay forward” my aunt’s gift by surprising her with the Grimm 1812, which had sat unused in its presentation case as a “spare” for almost two years.  

 

Fortunately, the BB size nib was regarded by my cousin as “more of a good thing” and the re-gift has quickly become her first choice for signatures and greeting correspondence, while my aunt has also looked favourably on my decision and even followed up with a generous gift to me of the Stevenson 1883 (after first checking with my brother that I had not already ordered one).  The Stevenson 1883 returned from Hamburg two months ago after a complimentary nib exchange to a BB size, closing a chapter of serendipitous gifts.

[ak47]

7 hours ago, NoType said:

@ak47 Well, yes, I initially did.  When I learned earlier this year that a cousin who regularly enjoys a Montblanc Homer 9800 with a B nib but was contemplating a wider nib also admired the Grimm 1812, I first gained confirmation from her husband that she had not ordered one already and then lassoed him into a conspiracy of silence so that I could “pay forward” my aunt’s gift by surprising her with the Grimm 1812, which had sat unused in its presentation case as a “spare” for almost two years.  

 

Fortunately, the BB size nib was regarded by my cousin as “more of a good thing” and the re-gift has quickly become her first choice for signatures and greeting correspondence, while my aunt has also looked favourably on my decision and even followed up with a generous gift to me of the Stevenson 1883 (after first checking with my brother that I had not already ordered one).  The Stevenson 1883 returned from Hamburg two months ago after a complimentary nib exchange to a BB size, closing a chapter of serendipitous gifts.

This circle is fantastic. And also the fact that your family love fountain pens! Please post a picture of your BB nibs!

[digitorum- Leonardo_W]

@NoType in the same way you provided me with your advice on getting the 149 Origin, I think back in may, I would like to present you with a suggestion.
Since you are getting the 149 Traveller LE 1924, you know there is esthetically a very similar pen in the LeGrand 146 size: the 146 Paris X Olympics 1924.

While I have had the LeGrand 146 Paris X Olympics 1924 in my hands and it is in my opinion an exquisite pen, I havent seen physically the 149 Traveller LE 1924 and cannot compare to how much they are similar. But what it is only my guess it could be a very collectible pen along the 149 Traveller LE 1924 as they share some common details like the colors, year homage.  Here are pictures of both side to side.
edit: On this picture the 146 appears reddish but in reality it is looking more like the 149 on the picture below.

[Michael R.]

The 146 Olympic is a very light, bright red while the 149 is red-orange. Different colors bit still would look great together!

[kazoolaw]

14 hours ago, NoType said:

@ak47 Well, yes, I initially did.  When I learned earlier this year that a cousin who regularly enjoys a Montblanc Homer 9800 with a B nib but was contemplating a wider nib also admired the Grimm 1812, I first gained confirmation from her husband that she had not ordered one already and then lassoed him into a conspiracy of silence so that I could “pay forward” my aunt’s gift by surprising her with the Grimm 1812, which had sat unused in its presentation case as a “spare” for almost two years.  

 

Fortunately, the BB size nib was regarded by my cousin as “more of a good thing” and the re-gift has quickly become her first choice for signatures and greeting correspondence, while my aunt has also looked favourably on my decision and even followed up with a generous gift to me of the Stevenson 1883 (after first checking with my brother that I had not already ordered one).  The Stevenson 1883 returned from Hamburg two months ago after a complimentary nib exchange to a BB size, closing a chapter of serendipitous gifts.

Letting you know that I am available for adoption into your pen family circle.

Well done by all!

[ak47]

49 minutes ago, kazoolaw said:

Letting you know that I am available for adoption into your pen family circle.

Well done by all!

Me too

[NoType]

8 hours ago, ak47 said:

This circle is fantastic. And also the fact that your family love fountain pens! Please post a picture of your BB nibs!

@ak47 Yes, I was grateful everyone was happy in the end.  Re-gifting can be tricky sometimes.  And yes, I am also grateful that my family uses fountain pens regularly and is connected by them. 

 

I will post a photo in the coming days of a few BB nibs, including the Grimm 1812 and Stevenson 1883.

[NoType]

6 hours ago, digitorum- Leonardo_W said:

@NoType in the same way you provided me with your advice on getting the 149 Origin, I think back in may, I would like to present you with a suggestion.
Since you are getting the 149 Traveller LE 1924, you know there is esthetically a very similar pen in the LeGrand 146 size: the 146 Paris X Olympics 1924.

While I have had the LeGrand 146 Paris X Olympics 1924 in my hands and it is in my opinion an exquisite pen, I havent seen physically the 149 Traveller LE 1924 and cannot compare to how much they are similar. But what it is only my guess it could be a very collectible pen along the 149 Traveller LE 1924 as they share some common details like the colors, year homage.  Here are pictures of both side to side.
edit: On this picture the 146 appears reddish but in reality it is looking more like the 149 on the picture below.

@digitorum- Leonardo_W Thank you for returning the favour!  I agree that the Paris 1924 (ident 131359) is a collectible LeGrand FP because its red colour is unique for 146s and LeGrands and because of the Meisterstück centennial.  I have been thinking about it more and more in the past few days.  That you have personal experience with it and think of it so highly is most persuasive.  I will definitely give it deep consideration.

[NoType]

2 hours ago, Michael R. said:

The 146 Olympic is a very light, bright red while the 149 is red-orange. Different colors bit still would look great together!

@Michael R. Thank you for letting us know the colour attributes of both pens.  Yes, it seems that their resin hues would harmonise together, and perhaps also their gold tones.

[NoType]

2 hours ago, kazoolaw said:

Letting you know that I am available for adoption into your pen family circle.

Well done by all!

@kazoolaw Thank you for your kind alert and approbation!

[NoType]

2 hours ago, ak47 said:

Me too

@ak47 Thank you, also, for your support!

[NoType]

On 11/6/2024 at 10:17 PM, ak47 said:

This circle is fantastic. And also the fact that your family love fountain pens! Please post a picture of your BB nibs!

 

Here are photos of some BB and B nibs:

 

Photo 1.  An Overview.

Top row (l to r):

    2010 Masters for Meisterstück (Mast4MST) Black & White Porcelain White Special Edition (SE) LeGrand (LG) Fountain Pen (FP) ((ident 106071) BB (nib)

    2010 Mast4MST Black & White Porcelain Black SE LG FP (106069) BB

    2023 MST Around the World in 80 Days II Solitaite (Sol) LG FP (128484) B

    2024 The Origin Collection Sol LG FP (131354) BB

Bottom row (l to r):

    2022 Writers Edition (WE) The Brothers Grimm Limited Edition (LE) 1812 FP (128848) BB

    2023 WE R L Stevenson LE 1883 FP (129521) BB

    2023 Masters of Art (MoA) Vincent v Gogh LE 888

(129159) BB

    2024 MoA Gustav Klimt LE 888 (130227) BB

 

 

 

Photo 2.  Uncapped.

Top row (l to r):

    Porcelain White BB

    Porcelain Black BB

    AtW80D II Sol B

    Origin Sol BB

Bottom row (l to r):

    Grimm 1812 BB

    Stevenson 1883 BB

    van Gogh 888 BB

    Klimt 888 BB

 

 

 

Photo 3.  Four BB Nibs.

Top row (l to r):

    Porcelain White BB

    Porcelain Black BB

Bottom row (l to r):

    Grimm 1812 BB

    Stevenson 1883 BB

 

 

 

Photo 4.  Three BB Nibs and One B Nib.

Top row (l to r):

    AtW80D II Sol B

    Origin Sol BB

Bottom row (l to r):

    van Gogh 888 BB

    Klimt 888 BB

 

 

 

The last photo, below, includes the nib that started me on my journey of enjoying Montblanc B and BB nibs.  After first reading threads by members like @Ghost Plane, @zaddick, and @Tom Kellie about the joys that could be had by writing with nibs broader than M, I found a new old stock 1993 Writers Edition Agatha Christie with a factory B nib.  Soon thereafter, I transitioned from using Montblanc factory EF nibs (which had a slight architecture grind characteristic) to Montblanc factory B nibs (which were slightly stubbish in character) and factory BB nibs.

Photo 5.  One BB Nib and Two B Nibs.

Clockwise from top:

    AtW80D II Sol B

    Christie B

    van Gogh 888 BB

 

 

Please forgive my extremely amateurish photography, taken in natural light with an iPhone 14 Pro Max’s standard camera.  I really have no excuse except to admit that while I very much enjoy viewing the photographic artistry of members like @fpupulin and @Tom Kellie, I really dislike taking my own photographs and thus never bothered to learn even basic skills.  In particular, I have not done the nibs justice here, and I apologise.

[ak47]

Thanks. Your collection is FANTASTIC!

[NoType]

11 minutes ago, ak47 said:

Thanks. Your collection is FANTASTIC!

@ak47 Thank you!

[a student]

9 hours ago, NoType said:

 

Here are photos of some BB and B nibs:

 

Photo 1.  An Overview.

Top row (l to r):

    2010 Masters for Meisterstück (Mast4MST) Black & White Porcelain White Special Edition (SE) LeGrand (LG) Fountain Pen (FP) ((ident 106071) BB (nib)

    2010 Mast4MST Black & White Porcelain Black SE LG FP (106069) BB

    2023 MST Around the World in 80 Days II Solitaite (Sol) LG FP (128484) B

    2024 The Origin Collection Sol LG FP (131354) BB

Bottom row (l to r):

    2022 Writers Edition (WE) The Brothers Grimm Limited Edition (LE) 1812 FP (128848) BB

    2023 WE R L Stevenson LE 1883 FP (129521) BB

    2023 Masters of Art (MoA) Vincent v Gogh LE 888 (129159)

    2024 MoA Gustav Klimt LE 888 (130227)

 

 

 

Photo 2.  Uncapped.

Top row (l to r):

    Porcelain White BB

    Porcelain Black BB

    AtW80D II Sol B

    Origin Sol BB

Bottom row (l to r):

    Grimm 1812 BB

    Stevenson 1883 BB

    van Gogh 888 BB

    Klimt 888 BB

 

 

 

Photo 3.  Four BB Nibs.

Top row (l to r):

    Porcelain White BB

    Porcelain Black BB

Bottom row (l to r):

    Grimm 1812 BB

    Stevenson 1883 BB

 

 

 

Photo 4.  Three BB Nibs and One B Nib.

Top row (l to r):

    AtW80D II Sol B

    Origin Sol BB

Bottom row (l to r):

    van Gogh 888 BB

    Klimt 888 BB

 

 

 

The last photo, below, includes the nib that started me on my journey of enjoying Montblanc B and BB nibs.  After first reading threads by members like @Ghost Plane, @zaddick, and @Tom Kellie about the joys of that could be had by writing with nibs broader than M, I found a new old stock 1993 Writers Edition Agatha Christie with a factory B nib.  Soon thereafter, I transitioned from using Montblanc factory EF nibs (which had a slight architecture grind characteristic) to Montblanc factory B nibs (which were slightly stubbish in character) and factory BB nibs.

Photo 5.  One BB Nib and Two B Nibs.

Clockwise from top:

    AtW80D II Sol B

    Christie B

    van Gogh 888 BB

 

 

Please forgive my extremely amateurish photography, taken in natural light with an iPhone 14 Pro Max’s standard camera.  I really have no excuse except to admit that while I very much enjoy viewing the photographic artistry of members like @fpupulin and @Tom Kellie, I really dislike taking my own photographs and thus never bothered to learn even basic skills.  In particular, I have not done the nibs justice here, and I apologise.

 

What a fine lot of pens you have, and nice images too! 

Incidentally, I take it that you actually use these pens, as all carry nibs to "order" in a manner of speaking. And if you do use these pens, flushing after use, etc., then I have only admiration for your remarkable dedication to this pursuit.  

[maia]

Nice collection @NoType! Lovely indeed!

 

What about the MB pen tray? Is that dealer only? Where could one find such a tray?

 

Regards,

 

maia