MB Patrons of the Arts 2008

[RedRob]

I've just got hold of this (not very good quality) picture of the upcoming MB Patrons of the Arts for 2008, dedicated to François Ier the French Renaissance king who hired Leonardo da Vinci and brought him to his castle at Fontainebleau, where he finished his career, if I'm not mistaken. Great choice for a French patron, having already done Louis XIV. It's due to come out in May.

 

The red pattern on the 146 sized barrel is tiger-eye (one of the king's lucky charms), the trim is gold-plated and the nib has a lily engraving (like the Dumas). My first impression is it looks a bit like the Faulkner and it is quite a step down from the Humboldt. It also makes too liberal a use of plastic for a pen in this series... it would look more appropriate for the writer's series., but on the upside the pen will probably easier to wield (have you tried the Humboldt? it is a weapon mightier than the rotring 600s). Can't wait to see the details of the engravings on the metal bands and nib.

 

I'd love to read your opinions about this pen and find links to better pictures.

 

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa320/rautr/MBFrancoisIer.jpg

Edited February 18, 2008 by RedRob

[Ed44]

An interesting pen for sure. It will be nice to see some better photos, which I'm sure will get posted soon.

[RSVP]

If the barrel is real tiger eye as opposed to celluloid I would say that the rest of the pen being plastic is acceptable so as not to be too weighty. I hope, however, that the trim is at least vermeil; for the price of this series it really should be.

Edited February 24, 2008 by RSVP

[Titivillus]

I've just got hold of this (not very good quality) picture of the upcoming MB Patrons of the Arts for 2008, dedicated to François Ier the French Renaissance king who hired Leonardo da Vinci and brought him to his castle at Fontainebleau, where he finished his career, if I'm not mistaken. Great choice for a French patron, having already done Louis XIV. It's due to come out in May.

 

It looks like they took some style cues from Ancora. Wonder what the price point will be on it.

 

 

Kurt

[bluemax]

I'm guessing it'll be the usual $2250 plus whatever % increase they plan for 2008

[PigRatAndGoat]

2250 is the normal price for a writer's series?

[niksch]

2250 is the normal price for a writer's series?

 

 

The Writer's are nearing $1000 at the boutiques. After 16 years, it is beginning to be too much. I ad aspired to the Patron's at one point and decided there were too many vintage pens to be purchased for the same amount. I really like the Writer's Editions though.

 

Regards, Eric

[Diamondback]

I just found confirmation that this pen is the 2008 Patron of the Arts edition listed on the Fahrneys website. The following description and photo is also courtesy of Fahrney's. Availability is listed as 5/7/2008.

 

MONTBLANC 2008 PATRON OF ARTS 4810 FRANCOIS I FOUNTAIN PEN

In connection with the annual "Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award", which was established in 1992, Montblanc has issued a new Limited Edition fountain pen each year as a tribute to the most important patrons of art and culture in the past centuries, those whose personal commitment and achievements deserve wider recognition. For 2008, Montblanc pays tribute to Francois I, King of France (1515), one of the greatest Patrons of the Arts. He supported young artists like Leonardo da Vinci and built the Royal Art Collection – the basis of today's Louvre exhibition. The Limited Edition fountain pen features gold-plated fittings and black precious lacquer on the cap, and a genuine semi-precious tiger-eye gemstone barrel. The tiger-eye barrel design is a reference to a charm Francois I wore during his lifetime to ward off evil spirits. The specially designed 18K gold nib is engraved with the symbol of the French Royal house: the French lily. The ornamental work on the rings and clip are patterns from the Renaissance – as Francois I was known as the "Renaissance King". The 2008 Patron of the Arts edition fountain pen is limited to 4.810 pieces.

 

 

 

Pricing is available via e-mail request.

Edited April 22, 2008 by Diamondback

[RedRob]

...

He supported young artists like Leonardo da Vinci and built the Royal Art Collection – the basis of today's Louvre exhibition...

 

If I am not mistaken, Leonardo was far from being young when François hired him. I'm starting to have doubts about the MB research dept and depth of implication in arts... The Dumas signature mistake was understandable, but now they start sounding like a fast and cheap sales pitch. This Leonrdo thing is high-school material, not some fancy new art history theory.

 

PS I'd love to be mistaken and ridiculed.

 

PPS I can't wait to see the pen in person and hope the metal engraving will be deeper than the signature on the Woolf.

[PigRatAndGoat]

It looks a little disappointing compared to past years. I guess I should wait for the details before saying much more...

PRAG

[Maxpens]

I just found confirmation that this pen is the 2008 Patron of the Arts edition listed on the Fahrneys website. The following description and photo is also courtesy of Fahrney's. Availability is listed as 5/7/2008.

 

MONTBLANC 2008 PATRON OF ARTS 4810 FRANCOIS I FOUNTAIN PEN

In connection with the annual "Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award", which was established in 1992, Montblanc has issued a new Limited Edition fountain pen each year as a tribute to the most important patrons of art and culture in the past centuries, those whose personal commitment and achievements deserve wider recognition. For 2008, Montblanc pays tribute to Francois I, King of France (1515), one of the greatest Patrons of the Arts. He supported young artists like Leonardo da Vinci and built the Royal Art Collection – the basis of today's Louvre exhibition. The Limited Edition fountain pen features gold-plated fittings and black precious lacquer on the cap, and a genuine semi-precious tiger-eye gemstone barrel. The tiger-eye barrel design is a reference to a charm Francois I wore during his lifetime to ward off evil spirits. The specially designed 18K gold nib is engraved with the symbol of the French Royal house: the French lily. The ornamental work on the rings and clip are patterns from the Renaissance – as Francois I was known as the "Renaissance King". The 2008 Patron of the Arts edition fountain pen is limited to 4.810 pieces.

 

 

 

Pricing is available via e-mail request.

Hello members,

Fahrneys description is wrong , in the Original booklet is not a word about the young Leonardo da Vinci. So everything is in mint conditions

 

 

 

 

kind regards

 

Max

Edited April 24, 2008 by Maxpens

[ma0ca]

Hi,

 

I saw the new patron of art 2008 (the 888 edition) a few days ago in Paris boutique. Its design is the same as the patron of art 2008 (4810). But its cap and the barrel is made of mother of pearl and the clip and the rings are made of white gold.

 

Best regards

[Diamondback]

Interesting to see that this pen has already appeared for sale on eBay. Anyone know how the Buy It Now price compares with the MRSP at an MB Boutique?

[yachtsilverswan]

Are the 4810 and 888 editions piston filled, or are they cartridge-converter pens?

[ethernautrix]

Interesting to see that this pen has already appeared for sale on eBay. Anyone know how the Buy It Now price compares with the MRSP at an MB Boutique?

Anybody know that eBay seller's reputation? I've seen (over the past coupla years) what I thought was suspicious activity as regards the MB Semiramis. I couldn't figure it out... so when I see his name, it raises a red flag. It could be for no good reason, maybe an erroneous hyper-alertness on my part. So I'm wondering if anyone here knows the seller's reputation.

[kaisede]

Interesting to see that this pen has already appeared for sale on eBay. Anyone know how the Buy It Now price compares with the MRSP at an MB Boutique?

 

MB Boutique already have it, they called me to check it out, i think the msrp is 2595 or 2495.

[Diamondback]

Anybody know that eBay seller's reputation? I've seen (over the past coupla years) what I thought was suspicious activity as regards the MB Semiramis. I couldn't figure it out... so when I see his name, it raises a red flag. It could be for no good reason, maybe an erroneous hyper-alertness on my part. So I'm wondering if anyone here knows the seller's reputation.

 

Ethernautrix,

 

I purchased a MB Czar Nikolai I LeGrande FP from this seller a few months back. The sale went well and the pen was accurately described. There was some confusion over his description of the "original MB box" that was advertised with the pen. It turned out to be just a generic MB box rather than the original Czar Nikolai box/packaging. His description was not inaccurate, but perhaps misleading. However, I could not complain about the price that I paid after winning the auction. so I was very satisfied. This is a stunning MB Solitaire pen.

[Diamondback]

Interesting to see that this pen has already appeared for sale on eBay. Anyone know how the Buy It Now price compares with the MRSP at an MB Boutique?

 

MB Boutique already have it, they called me to check it out, i think the msrp is 2595 or 2495.

 

Thanks kaisede. Not a difficult decision if you can get it from a MB Boutique at a lower price.

[Titivillus]

I'm guessing it'll be the usual $2250 plus whatever % increase they plan for 2008

 

With the way prices are changing I'd say more like $3250. maybe someday they all will price themselves out of the market. Unless people don't mind paying that much for a pen.

 

Kurt

 

[ma0ca]

Are the 4810 and 888 editions piston filled, or are they cartridge-converter pens?

 

Hi, I have seen the 888 edition in a MB boutique but unfortunately I didn't ask about this issue. However, It is quite big pen and therefore I assume that it is piston filled.

 

Best regards