What Petit Prince model is this?

[Paul-in-SF]

This is a quite slender cartridge/converter filler. The length capped is 137 mm, the diameter at the cap band is 12.5 mm. The nib is 14K. There is a quote in French on the cap finial, and a serial number on the clip ring. The box says it is a Special Edition, which I assume refers to the Petit Prince theme of the materials. I am wondering what model it is based on.

 

I don't know what other details you may need, but here are a few snapshots. I appreciate any information that is available, if you would prefer to point me towards some reliable source. 

 

[Mr.Rene]

Greetings Paul!

It looks fake for me...I am not sure...sorry..Regards.

[ak47]

It is a fake. Sorry

[Paul-in-SF]

May I ask, based on what? For my education. 

[Tom Kellie]

~ @Paul-in-SF:

 

Among the images you posted what caught my attention was the nib.

 

The various hues issued in the Meisterstück Petit Prince series are all fitted with nibs engraved with themes related to the book, Le Petit Prince.

 

For example, I have a burgundy Petit Prince 146 EF which has stars and the Little Prince engraved on the golden nib.

 

What is posted above is more like the typical Meisterstück Classique nib, lacking any visual tie to the Petit Prince series.

 

I hope that this might be of use in answering your question.

 

      Tom K.

 

 

 

[NoType]

3 hours ago, Paul-in-SF said:

May I ask, based on what? For my education. 

@Paul-in-SF These were the fountain pens released by Montblanc for their first edition of Le Petit Prince —

 

Montblanc Le Petit Prince Solitaire LeGrand 118065:

The Solitaire LeGrand 118065 is a piston filler.

 

 

 

 

Montblanc Le Petit Prince Solitaire Doué Classique 118061:

The Solitaire Doué Classique 118061 is a cartridge converter.

 

 

 

 

Montblanc Le Petit Prince LeGrand 118052:

The LeGrand 118052 is a piston filler.

 

 

 

 

Montblanc Le Petit Prince Classique 118056:

The Classique 118056 is a cartridge converter.

 

 

As @Tom Kellie noted above, bring your attention to the nib stampings on these four pens.  The pen you have shown us lacks this nib stamping.

 

The pen you have shown us seems to be an inauthentic, unauthorised, non-genuine hybridisation of the “in-filled” repeating “fox face” pattern of the metal Solitaire LeGrand 118065 and the cartridge converter pen type of the Solitaire Doué Classique 118061.  Montblanc did not release a pen with this combination of style and type, with a standard nib stamping, and thus the pen you have shown us is, unfortunately, undoubtedly counterfeit.  

[Paul-in-SF]

Thank you for the information. I'm glad I found out before I tried to sell it on to some other poor schlub. 

 

The Japanese seller claims to get their pens from "reliable channels" and to "strive" to deal only in genuine items. I have written to them, although I have had the pen for over a year, if only to rub their face in it a little, and see how they respond. 

[lionelc]

agree fake as per the rest of the replies, it's a bit of a theme for the mb 144 type pens - guess they are easier to produce.

[Uncial]

21 hours ago, Paul-in-SF said:

The Japanese seller claims to get their pens from "reliable channels" and to "strive" to deal only in genuine items.

 

At one time Japanese sellers on ebay were very reliable but a little pricey. Sadly this seems to be changing. I've heard from friends who have received fake MB's and Sailor pens from Japan. There are a few warnings scattered around reddit and some forums and a few posts here that point to an increased peddling of fake items from Japanese sellers. Only last week I saw a rare pen for a quite remarkable price. I asked for photos of verious aspects and sure enough it was a fake item. Some are using publicity photos and former pics from ebay sales (or from elsewhere). Its become a significant problem very quickly. It means i completely avoid Japanese sellers....or at least those listed as such. There is always the possibilty they aren't even in Japan.

[ak47]

7 hours ago, Uncial said:

 

At one time Japanese sellers on ebay were very reliable but a little pricey. Sadly this seems to be changing. I've heard from friends who have received fake MB's and Sailor pens from Japan. There are a few warnings scattered around reddit and some forums and a few posts here that point to an increased peddling of fake items from Japanese sellers. Only last week I saw a rare pen for a quite remarkable price. I asked for photos of verious aspects and sure enough it was a fake item. Some are using publicity photos and former pics from ebay sales (or from elsewhere). Its become a significant problem very quickly. It means i completely avoid Japanese sellers....or at least those listed as such. There is always the possibilty they aren't even in Japan.

I agree. And also for inks.

Bye

[DrWabbit]

118052 nib close-ups.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[marlinspike]

On 9/5/2024 at 9:53 PM, Paul-in-SF said:

The Japanese seller claims to get their pens from "reliable channels" and to "strive" to deal only in genuine items. I have written to them, although I have had the pen for over a year, if only to rub their face in it a little, and see how they respond. 

I believe sellers not in fact based in Japan are now establishing that they are based in Japan for ebay, just like there are many sellers in China selling computer parts that per ebay are based in the USA.

[Paul-in-SF]

There is a well-known seller of mostly vintage fountain pens who claims to be in Germany (I think it is, or somewhere in Europe) who actually ships from Hong Kong. Another one, not so well known but which I have come across, claims to be in the UK, but ships from Greece. 

 

In this case the listing said the pen was shipping from Japan, and it did (based on the package tracking). I should not have called them a "Japanese seller" as they may not be ethnically Japanese, but I'm pretty sure whoever they are is based there in some significant way. 

[Paul-in-SF]

Now I have an ethical question. I think I know the ethical answer, but I would appreciate any input.

 

The question is, would it be ethical to sell this pen on as an acknowledged fake (say, without the box and papers, which would help someone to in their turn sell it as genuine), or even to give it away under the same conditions? 

 

It's a working pen, attractive enough if you like that sort of thing, and I don't particularly want to keep it or use it. Can I do anything else with it that is ethical, other than throw it in the trash?

[NoType]

1 hour ago, Paul-in-SF said:

Now I have an ethical question. I think I know the ethical answer, but I would appreciate any input.

 

The question is, would it be ethical to sell this pen on as an acknowledged fake (say, without the box and papers, which would help someone to in their turn sell it as genuine), or even to give it away under the same conditions? 

 

It's a working pen, attractive enough if you like that sort of thing, and I don't particularly want to keep it or use it. Can I do anything else with it that is ethical, other than throw it in the trash?

@Paul-in-SF I believe that selling the pen as an acknowledged fake (or “replica”) would not by itself be unethical, and nor would it necessarily be so were you to give it away under the same conditions.  Although these actions may contravene Montblanc’s publicly stated position that it is better to destroy a counterfeit item to remove it from the pen ecosystem, I do not think that the actions you outline are inherently problematic or encourage counterfeiters, especially if the pen is given away.  

 

However, if possible, choose your recipient wisely, because by your question I presume that you would not wish to be party to any scam your recipient might perpetrate by misrepresenting the replica as a genuine pen in a future transaction.  Because if it transpires that you inadvertently and unwittingly enabled a third person to be cheated by the recipient of your replica pen, I believe that that would not be ethical despite your involvement being indirect and unintentional.

 

Personally, to avoid this “indirect scam” possibility, I would destroy the pen.  It is the least complicated option that guarantees a good night’s sleep, although it is an unavoidable waste of materials and utility.

 

It is unfortunate that you are pondering these and other potential actions in the first place.  I have the utmost empathy for your position, as well as respect for your desire to “do the right thing.”  A most regrettable situation that all of us at one time or another may face.  The more pens we contemplate acquiring, the greater the odds.  “But for the grace of _________ go I.”

[Paul-in-SF]

Thanks, @NoType, I hadn't considered Montblanc's position on these things, I guess they are the other injured party. Also, I appreciate your empathy. This isn't even the first fake Montblanc I have acquired -- I have a ballpoint pen that I bought, I don't remember where or from whom, years before I was interested in fountain pens. 

 

Maybe I should set up a little shrine/museum, "Fake Montblanc pens I have known." 

[Paul-in-SF]

I am seeing exactly the same pen for sale on eBay, also from a seller purportedly in Japan but under a different name. Is there anything I can do about it? 

 

Edited to add: and another one, same photo, different seller name, also "located in Japan." 

[Paul-in-SF]

I wrote a message to the first seller, letting them know that the pen is a fake, and they removed it from sale. So now I have sent a message to the second seller, and I hope it will have a similar result. 

[marlinspike]

I have reported so many of this particular fake to ebay as counterfeit and ebay does nothing about it, only ever saying the item does not run afoul of their rules and they leave it up.

[Paul-in-SF]

I have complained personally to three different sellers (reportedly located in Japan) and explained to them how I know they are fakes, and all three have taken down those items. I am keeping an eye on newly posted items to see if they keep popping up. 

 

My extravagant hope is that whoever is making these things will find their pool of buyers drying up, and that sellers will begin to think that their buyers are getting better educated. Anyway, I figure any little advance is worth making.