info. on Montblanc no.22 and no.24 fountain pens

[Mark Mck]

I have recently become interested in Montblanc pens and I have come across the type 22 and 24 fountain pens with covered nibs. I really like my vintage Aurora 88 FPs and my Parker 51s. How do these Montblanc compare to these pens that I have? I have noted that the nibs on the 22 and 24 FPs have some flex to them also and wonder how much flex they really have? What would you expect to pay for these pens in reasonably good condition? I'm interested to learn more about these pens and Montblanc in general and wonder if there are reference books to be had? I've asked alot of questions but figure this is the best place to do so. Best Regards, Mark

[Mark Mck]

It appears that there may not be much interest in the no.22 and 24 type FPs or not much is known about them. I'll just need to keep digging for info...

[Allan]

The 22 and 24 are second tier pens, cheaper versions of the 12 and 14. They came in burgundy, green, black and grey. Both were manufactured from 1960-1970 and are piston fillers (except the 22p which was a cart pen). Compared to an A88 and P51? I would take a 744 instead although it does not have a covered nib, it is a slip cap, piston filler, and a nice writer. Both are nice pens if you can not get your hands on a 12 or 14. The 22 and 24 seem to go for $150-$250 on eBay, depending on condition and who is looking for what at that particular time. As for flex, you might find a nice 14 with a semi-flex nib, but like the A88 and P51 there is no such thing as real flex on them, you would need a 744 (maybe), or something like a 136/138 with a flex nib, and even those are not really full flex.

 

As for reading material, try "Collectible Stars" for up to 1980s and "The Montblanc Diary and Collectors Guide" for older models up to about 1930 or so. Of course there is www.fountainpen.de as an online resource as well.

 

As an aside, most of your answers were available on fountainpen.de (see the sticky at the top of the forum) and searching eBay closed auctions, not that I mind helping.

 

Allan

[Mark Mck]

Allan, Thank you for the info. and help! I have found info. reviewing e-bay and the prices have been variable. I appreciate the info. in regards to the books and the additional site. I have come across one of the texts in my searches. It is helpful to hear from those that happen to have used these pens and this is really the feedback that I find valuable. Thanks again. Mark

[RevAaron]

I recently bought my first Mont Blanc, a vintage 24 from fellow FPN user Bryant. While completely unimpressed by the modern Mont Blancs I've tried (in store), I'm very happy with my new MB 24. It has one of the few nibs, especially post 1950, that writes well with iron gall inks. Almost all modern nibs really fall short in my book, and they usually lose their smoothness when using an ink that doesn't contain heaps of lubricants. The 24 I have is a medium, and it writes a a perfect level (for me) of wetness. The tip feels round and forgiving while still feeling rather precise. A great bonus, the nib writes quite well at a wider range of angles than almost all of the modern nibs I've used. I tend to rotate the pen, not quite as far as most obliques require, but somewhere in between. The MB 24 does great with it.

 

Quickly became one of my man-purse pens, which currently includes a vintage Conklin Nozac, Lamy 2000, one of Badr's $10 piston fillers with a stub Skyline nib, and a couple of vintage Kaweco Sports. Maybe I carry around too many pens. :/

 

The hooded nib has worked well. It disassembles just like a Lamy 27 and 2000, and many of the other semi-hooded German piston fillers pens of the time. Not a ton of flex, but the small bit of flex there is comes easily, adding a bit of character without having to be mindful of over-flexing, catching an edge on the page, etc.

 

The nib feels great on both cheaper paper and Rhodia, even with the iron gall inks. This is a property that I almost don't find at all with $100+ modern pens, which (for me) tend to feel great on Rhodia/Apica, but worse than a Phileas on cheap Mead paper.

 

It's also one of the few non-screw ons I use, and it goes on quite tightly, which I like. I plan on doing a review of this pen after using it a while longer.

 

The ink capaciy is great, a bit more than my Lamy 2000- 1.5 mL. More ink than two standard international carts hold.

 

I don't collect, I use. Compared to a lot of modern pens, this pen is a steal in price/value ratio. I've seen it around between $50-100, with some people managing $120 or $150 by saying "Mont Blanc" a lot. The lower price suggests that it isn't considered particularily collectable, so unless you're playing MB Pokémon I wouldn't bother- but as a user? Hard to beat.

 

Regards,

Aaron

[Mark Mck]

Aaron, Thanks for the info. I recently "won" a no.24 on e-bay. I look forward to getting the pen and trying it out. This is just the type of info. that I was hoping to hear and I really appreciate your response. Regards, Mark