Was It A Real Montblanc

[Gloucesterman]

Earlier today I was at a medium size flea market that I often go to on weekends

.

At one of the vendors, from whom I have purchased a few pens, I saw a Montblanc 144. At least the box that it was in said Montblanc 144 (B), and had the year 1995 on the label.

It looked to be a legitimate MB when I looked at it with my loupe. I was seriously considering making an offer when I noticed that the wide ring on the cap said "Masterpiece" NOT "Meisterstuk". BTW, the feed looked like ebonite(?) and had a single groove in the middle and fins on either side of the groove. It also said "Germany" on the ring. The nib actually looked more like a left oblique than abroad.

 

Did Montblanc ever use the English word "Masterpiece" on their pens? That's what threw me off and made me think it might not be real.

 

The dealer wanted $200.00 for it. It looked in reasonably good condition although the piston filling mechanism did not seem to work (didn't test it with water). Although it may be gone when I go back next weekend, I still would like to know more about the wording AND what it might be worth... just in case it's still available.

 

Also, and idea as to repair/restoration cost if the piston fill has to be fixed?

 

Thank you for any help.

 

[jar]

A Piston fill 144 marked Masterpiece for $200 would be the find of the century.  It would likely be celluloid with the two stage piston. 

[lionelc]

ooo a groove face shank feed with broad nib combination masterpiece 144?  mb used to mark their export models masterpiece.

[Gloucesterman]

  On 6/16/2024 at 8:22 PM, jar said:

A Piston fill 144 marked Masterpiece for $200 would be the find of the century.  It would likely be celluloid with the two stage piston. 

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Thanks for the information. Now I have to pray that no one else bought (or buys it before next weekend.

 Oh well,.if it's not there, it won't be the first time I missed a GOOD opportunity.

Wish me success...

 

Any idea as to potential cost of repairs for the piston?

Ballpark is acceptable...

[jar]

  On 6/16/2024 at 9:46 PM, Gloucesterman said:

Thanks for the information. Now I have to pray that no one else bought (or buys it before next weekend.

 Oh well,.if it's not there, it won't be the first time I missed a GOOD opportunity.

Wish me success...

 

Any idea as to potential cost of repairs for the piston?

Ballpark is acceptable...

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It may be okay.  The two stage pistons feel quite different than the modern pens. 

 

By the way, the translation of Meisterstuk is Materpiece and yes, it was used in some of the 50s 14x series pens.

 

If the piston needs repair I'd ask Ron Zorn who could best do the work these days.  It's been several decades since I had such work done.

[Gloucesterman]

  On 6/16/2024 at 11:55 PM, jar said:

It may be okay.  The two stage pistons feel quite different than the modern pens. 

 

By the way, the translation of Meisterstuk is Materpiece and yes, it was used in some of the 50s 14x series pens.

 

If the piston needs repair I'd ask Ron Zorn who could best do the work these days.  It's been several decades since I had such work done.

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Thank you for the clarifying comment. I will keep that in mind IF the pen is still available when I go back next weekend. BTW, I was aware of the translation of the word. It's simply that I had never seen or heard of the Montblanc having the English word "Masterpiece".

 Not much I can do until the weekend anyway. If I get it and it needs the work (it's good to know that) Ron is a person to go to for MB repairs.

[jar]

Keep us posted.  If you truly found a celluloid 144 in the wild it would definitely be exciting.  My 144 sized MBs from the period are among my favorites especially my broad flex nibbed 234½ seen on the left.

 

[Gloucesterman]

  On 6/17/2024 at 8:46 PM, jar said:

Keep us posted.  If you truly found a celluloid 144 in the wild it would definitely be exciting.  My 144 sized MBs from the period are among my favorites especially my broad flex nibbed 234½ seen on the left.

 

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Will definitely keep "you" posted.

 

For various reasons, if I were to actually get it next weekend, there is a good chance that I would put it up for sale at the Commonwealth Pen Show in September. Of course I reserve the right to change my mind.

[Gloucesterman]

  On 6/18/2024 at 1:09 AM, Gloucesterman said:

Will definitely keep "you" posted.

 

For various reasons, if I were to actually get it next weekend, there is a good chance that I would put it up for sale at the Commonwealth Pen Show in September. Of course I reserve the right to change my mind.

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Okay, here's the mini-adventure around this pen...

As of last night at 10:30, rain was predicted early to mid morning.

Was up about 5:00 and no rain/wet ground in sight. On my way to the flea market (about 20 miles from me) it starts to mist lightly and occasional a few drops. By the time I get there it's raining lightly. It's an outdoor flea market and there are maybe 10-15 vendors set up and under tents (normally, it could be more than 100 spread over 3 fields). From a distance, where I park my car it looks like "the" vendor I am looking for is not there! BUMMER!

 

Guess I will walk about anyway.

 

Turns out he is there and has a tent over his area. I ask, "any pens?" He answers "No."

I think, it was a long shot anyway. Oh well!

Then he says, "except the one I had last week." ) Oh GOODIE!

So I check it out with my loupe and it seems to be the same pen.

I ask, "will you take $150.00?"

He says, "sure."

After paying him and as I am walking back to my car, the sky opens up and the rain pelts down on my umbrella.

Still, I get soaks and think to myself, this is CRAZY! And yes, I am happy that I made the effort and succeeded in getting the pen.

 

It turns out that it will need to be repaired AND the nib seems to have some flex to it!

I am looking forward to getting it repaired and using it. Who knows, I may even end up keeping it for myself!

Thanks for listening...

[EricTheRed]

Excellent work Gloucesterman!  Please post photos of this pen and its box for our scrutiny and commentary 😁

[Mark from Yorkshire]

Well done @Gloucesterman hope you enjoy your find and that Ron can get it working

[Seney724]

Amazing.  You are now, "officially," a member of the "Sumgai" Club.

Congrats and good luck with the restoration.

[jar]

  On 6/23/2024 at 1:25 PM, Gloucesterman said:

Okay, here's the mini-adventure around this pen...

As of last night at 10:30, rain was predicted early to mid morning.

Was up about 5:00 and no rain/wet ground in sight. On my way to the flea market (about 20 miles from me) it starts to mist lightly and occasional a few drops. By the time I get there it's raining lightly. It's an outdoor flea market and there are maybe 10-15 vendors set up and under tents (normally, it could be more than 100 spread over 3 fields). From a distance, where I park my car it looks like "the" vendor I am looking for is not there! BUMMER!

 

Guess I will walk about anyway.

 

Turns out he is there and has a tent over his area. I ask, "any pens?" He answers "No."

I think, it was a long shot anyway. Oh well!

Then he says, "except the one I had last week." ) Oh GOODIE!

So I check it out with my loupe and it seems to be the same pen.

I ask, "will you take $150.00?"

He says, "sure."

After paying him and as I am walking back to my car, the sky opens up and the rain pelts down on my umbrella.

Still, I get soaks and think to myself, this is CRAZY! And yes, I am happy that I made the effort and succeeded in getting the pen.

 

It turns out that it will need to be repaired AND the nib seems to have some flex to it!

I am looking forward to getting it repaired and using it. Who knows, I may even end up keeping it for myself!

Thanks for listening...

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Jess a for fun.

 

I have sold or given away all my modern 14x fountain pens that included three 149, a couple 146, a 144 (gifted to a young girl who was stuck at home recovering from an accident as an incentive to fill time by illustrating stories she liked) and kept only my Dumas (correct sig). But I love all of my earlier 50s vintage 14x and 24x fountain pens.

 

Keep us posted.

[NoType]

  On 6/23/2024 at 1:25 PM, Gloucesterman said:

Okay, here's the mini-adventure around this pen...

As of last night at 10:30, rain was predicted early to mid morning.

Was up about 5:00 and no rain/wet ground in sight. On my way to the flea market (about 20 miles from me) it starts to mist lightly and occasional a few drops. By the time I get there it's raining lightly. It's an outdoor flea market and there are maybe 10-15 vendors set up and under tents (normally, it could be more than 100 spread over 3 fields). From a distance, where I park my car it looks like "the" vendor I am looking for is not there! BUMMER!

 

Guess I will walk about anyway.

 

Turns out he is there and has a tent over his area. I ask, "any pens?" He answers "No."

I think, it was a long shot anyway. Oh well!

Then he says, "except the one I had last week." ) Oh GOODIE!

So I check it out with my loupe and it seems to be the same pen.

I ask, "will you take $150.00?"

He says, "sure."

After paying him and as I am walking back to my car, the sky opens up and the rain pelts down on my umbrella.

Still, I get soaks and think to myself, this is CRAZY! And yes, I am happy that I made the effort and succeeded in getting the pen.

 

It turns out that it will need to be repaired AND the nib seems to have some flex to it!

I am looking forward to getting it repaired and using it. Who knows, I may even end up keeping it for myself!

Thanks for listening...

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@Gloucesterman Stories like yours are what keep me coming back to this forum.  Ordinarily I don’t prefer “Hollywood endings” in film, but when it comes to real life, I adore them.  This one is an award winner!  Thank you for brightening my Sunday, and I suspect everyone’s weekend here, with this heartwarming conclusion to your adventure.

[Gloucesterman]

  On 6/23/2024 at 3:48 PM, Seney724 said:

Thank you kindly for the acknowledgement. Sometimes it's not easy being crazy, but it seems that this forum is a great place to express/be the way I am (we are).

Gloucesterman...

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[Cjtamu]

That is awesome. Yet to stumble upon any FP at the estate sales, occasional flea markets, etc. we go to. Stories like yours give me hope!

[Gloucesterman]

Well, for those of you who might be interested in the :Rest of the Story", here goes...

First off, it turns out that the pen was actually a 142, not a 144 :-((

Secondly, the cost to repair the pen is/would be too much for me, so...

I will probably be using it as partial payment (for parts) with my repair person for other work that he has done for me.

 

Live, learn and enjoy the journey.

Thank you (all) for the advice, insights and opportunity to participate in the vintage MB lifestyle/fantasy.

 

Well, Sunday is another visit to the flea market and who knows what I might find this week.

(Last weeks find was a tortoise shell Moore #94-A that needs a sac and looks great all polished up.)

[Seney724]

  On 7/19/2024 at 11:12 PM, Gloucesterman said:

Well, for those of you who might be interested in the :Rest of the Story", here goes...

First off, it turns out that the pen was actually a 142, not a 144 :-((

Secondly, the cost to repair the pen is/would be too much for me, so...

I will probably be using it as partial payment (for parts) with my repair person for other work that he has done for me.

 

Live, learn and enjoy the journey.

Thank you (all) for the advice, insights and opportunity to participate in the vintage MB lifestyle/fantasy.

 

Well, Sunday is another visit to the flea market and who knows what I might find this week.

(Last weeks find was a tortoise shell Moore #94-A that needs a sac and looks great all polished up.)

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Too bad.....

Would you be willing to share what sort of repair work you were told it needs?

[Gloucesterman]

  On 7/19/2024 at 11:46 PM, Seney724 said:

Too bad.....

Would you be willing to share what sort of repair work you were told it needs?

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I'll have to see if I can find the email my repair person sent me. I may have deleted it already.

I am pretty sure he said something about the piston mechanism being broken... and I could be wrong.

If I find it, I will post it here. If I don't, I will post that as well.

It's not as if you were asking for my shoe or neck size -- you know, personal information! LOL!!

[Seney724]

  On 7/20/2024 at 2:18 AM, Gloucesterman said:

I'll have to see if I can find the email my repair person sent me. I may have deleted it already.

I am pretty sure he said something about the piston mechanism being broken... and I could be wrong.

If I find it, I will post it here. If I don't, I will post that as well.

It's not as if you were asking for my shoe or neck size -- you know, personal information! LOL!!

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Thanks.  The information / details will provide a good learning opportunity for me.