MB Hemingway owners

[Blade Runner]

There appears to be a core of Hemingway owners here. Most of us will never own one, but we can enjoy them vicariously. Please share your impressions of this pen that has become something of a fascination for MB enthusiasts. What were the circumstances of acquiring it? A fortuitious decision when it first came out or an arduous odyssey? Pictures would be welcome of course, comparisons to other MBs, an ode perhaps?

 

Best,

Jeen

[Wael El-Dasher]

Jeen,

 

I believe this pen has been written about extensively and it tends to divide opinions among pen enthusiasts. On the one hand many can't justify the current market price of the pen and believe its price is primarily based on it being the first of a series. Others may visualize beyond this point and find the correlation between it and the the 13x series and hence its position as the initial pen of a series is irrelevant. Rather, its embodies the spirit of a reworked, re-issue of a beautiful pen series from Montblanc that's been discontinued since 1950.

 

cheers

 

W

Edited February 11, 2009 by Wael El-Dasher

[niksch]

I've owned three Hemingways, and used two of those three a little bit. For the money, find a nice used 149, since it's the same nib. I sold those other two (sorry goodguy) a while back after I determined writing with a Hemingway was like writing with a 149--except with a little orange color.

[ethernautrix]

writing with a Hemingway was like writing with a 149--except with a little orange color.

*Hands over ears* LA LA LA LA LA LA LA!

[Blade Runner]

writing with a Hemingway was like writing with a 149--except with a little orange color.

*Hands over ears* LA LA LA LA LA LA LA!

:roflmho:

 

Edit to add: My 5 yo girl does this to me all the time.

Edited February 11, 2009 by jeen

[wspohn]

I sold those other two (sorry goodguy) a while back after I determined writing with a Hemingway was like writing with a 149--except with a little orange color.

 

I'd agree with that - and I'm not all fired up about the orange colour (but then I wouldn't pay the huge sums that people do for Parker Duofolds that happen to be that colour, either).

[georges zaslavsky]

Aside the decoration, I would rather have a 149 with a better nib.

Edited February 11, 2009 by georges zaslavsky

[RevAaron]

I think it's an attractive pen, in that ugly-as-hell way it is, but I can't see myself getting one unless it was one heckuva sumgai. Why get the inferior modern redux when you could get a celluloid 136, 138, 139 or 149 for the same price? Or for even less! I dunno, maybe you millionaire lawyer and financial folk would just say "what does 'instead' mean? get both!" but if I were going to plunk down $2000 on a pen it wouldn't be the Hemingway. Maybe if I was buying the pen as an "investment," but if you're going to write with it I can't imagine anything but going for the real deal.

 

As an aside... When looking prices up for 13xs at GoPens.com just now, it's nuts to see how much more the 136, 138, and 139 are now as opposed to just 3 years ago! 30-50% increase in value, at least by Gary's prices. Good for some folks, bloody shame for me!

[bayport714]

I bought mine a couple of years after it was released. I found it in a jewelry store and bought it because it was 40% off. I think the original price was $450 - can anyone confirm? It has never been used or even filled. Just sits in the box and increases in value. I don't use it and I don't want to sell it. Why do I keep it?

The only Writer's Series pen I use is the Schiller. The nib has been Binderized and it is one of my favorite pens.

 

Ray

[ethernautrix]

The original price was $650.

 

I bought mine soon after it came out for $600 and received one of the cigar-type pen cases with it. I exchanged the nib for an XF (or maybe XF was an option)... and it is one of my favorite all-time writers. The pen is. Hemingway was pretty good, too.

 

 

[RedRob]

I don't have mine on hand as it is with John Mottishaw getting its nib regrinded into a stub (Bryant as you may see, I do miss that stub), but I will try to answer this topic from memory.

 

Seing pictures of the Hemingway and holding it in one's hand are two quite different experiences. I remember being struck when I first handled my uncle's Hemingway. Here are a few thoughts that came to mind then regarding the design:

 

Great contrast between the coral red and brown.

Hey isn't this coral what RHR used to look like in its youth?

Brown looks so much better than black.

Perfect proportions throughout, even in the smallest details.

Those divisions between colors and those with metal trim, every piece is a marvel of proportion in itself and more so when considering the whole pen.

That deep, proportionate and cadenced ink window has to be the nicest detail. When filled the ink window transitions between brown and coral like a portico on an Italian Renaissance building does between outside and indoors.

On closer look all surfaces on the pen are pitted, be it the gold trim or the two colors of resin, now doesn't that look warm and organic? Gosh, it's nicer than ebonite with patina!

Next to the Dumas this pen looks so simple and yet so much more complex and noble.

What a beautiful clip.

Aren't those 3 cap rings a great feature?

Oh I hope the cap lip will not crack.

Wait, why doesn't the piston knob stop at the gold ring? Isn't this funny? Oh well, it's German design not Italian.

How little they have changed from a 149 and yet what a WORLD of difference!

Oh why aren't they replacing the 149 with this pen as their flagship model?

Maybe it's because it is so poorly photogenic.

I wonder if the step from the 139 to the 149 was one in the right direction?

Now this pen is simply a REVELATION, did Hemingway actually deserve it?

 

And then I wrote with it and there was no way I could resist it any longer, as I do find short stubby pens particularly ergonomic (Aurora Optima comes to mind).

 

I do wonder Eric how this pen would behave with a vintage nib.

 

I used to think that this pen was the most grossly overpriced piece of plastic (and it still is!). Once I handled the pen "in person" its design qualities justified the price however. Judging it by the plastic is like judging a book by the quality of the paper.

 

PS I am curious of how others have reacted to this pen's design (and particularly QM2).

Edited February 11, 2009 by RedRob

[Wael El-Dasher]

I disagree obviously. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words...well I made my decision and took the action.

 

I can see a back lash from what I am about to say....,but the Hemingway, or 139, is not the same as a 149. Ignore this statement technically and view it as it's intended, a subjective opinion.

 

A pen is much more than a nib, its a balanced composition of elements that work coherently in a manner that caters to one's appeasement and need. The Hemingway is very special in that regard, its a practical, and modern interpretation of the 139 that doesn't leak because it needs restoration, nor does it require one to send it off to a specialist if it needs service. It has the practicality of allowing the owner to walk in to his MB Boutique and send it out for service if the need arises.

 

I certainly recognize it's not a 139, but it embodies its spirit, and that will have to do for now. I want to find a clean 139 with a short window, but until I find the one that's already been restored and will delivery some good years of reliable service, the Hemingway will do nicely.

 

I do admit that the 149 is more comfortable to use than the Hemingway, but dag namit, I derive miles more pleasure using the Hemingway than the 149. The 149 seems ordinary in comparison (no hate mail please), its proportions are nice when seen alone, but next to the Hemingway, and I am sure the same applies to the 139, it lacks something.

 

I remembered a line from Family Guy, "this reminds of that spread of Debbie Gibson naked...but its like...Yah, who give a sh-t" (moderator, please delete this paragraph if I've gone too far).

 

The 149 is a great pen in its own right, but the Hemingway is much more special...keep in mind, I am comparing modern versions of each.

 

Now, let the angry responses begin

 

cheers

 

Wael

[RedRob]

Wael, I entirely agree that the Hemingway is a simple yet vast improvement over the 149 it is derived from.

 

its a practical, and modern interpretation of the 139 ...

I certainly recognize it's not a 139, but it embodies its spirit

 

I haven't seen a 139 in person, however, the piston knob end doesn't look quite as good as on the Hemingway and that shiny black celluloid seems to lack the contrast and life of the brown and coral red... it feels minimalistic, if not poor, to me. Of course, I may change my mind when I will hold them next to each other.

Edited February 11, 2009 by RedRob

[Wael El-Dasher]

SNIP....Seing pictures of the Hemingway and holding it in one's hand are two quite different experiences....SNIP

 

100% right! Completely different and anyone that doesn't believe that statement should be prepared to be surprised when they do handle one.

 

Great contrast between the coral red and brown.

 

Precisely...that color combination is so simply that it works on many levels

 

Hey isn't this coral what RHR used to look like in its youth?

Brown looks so much better than black.

Perfect proportions throughout, even in the smallest details.

Those divisions between colors and those with metal trim, every piece is a marvel of proportion in itself and more so when considering the whole pen.

That deep, proportionate and cadenced ink window has to be the nicest detail. When filled the ink window transitions between brown and coral like a portico on an Italian Renaissance building does between outside and indoors.

 

All the delicate details that Montblanc is known for...

 

On closer look all surfaces on the pen are pitted, be it the gold trim or the two colors of resin, now doesn't that look warm and organic? Gosh, it's nicer than ebonite with patina!

 

BINGO! ...we have a winner!!!! :clap1: You hit the nail on the head.

 

Next to the Dumas this pen looks so simple and yet so much more complex and noble.

What a beautiful clip.

 

Exactly right. I believe many confuse simple for easy, when in reality simple is far more complex and require much more restraint to achieve. The Dumas is a nice pen, but its much more flamboyant with plenty of design in every millimeter. The Hemingway pulls it off much more elegantly, and uses a standard 149 nib as well...it does need a fleur de lis engraved on the nib to be special. I understand the fleur de lis significance on the Dumas pen, but I can't help but feel its so very much superficial in its symbolism.

 

That's certainly part of the appeal of the Lorenzo and the Hemingway nibs, they're very much rooted in MB historical designs and not designed by a product designer. They're much more genuine in their design which given them an honest purpose.

 

SNIP...I used to think that this pen was the most grossly overpriced piece of plastic (and it still is!). Once I handled the pen "in person" its design qualities justified the price however. Judging it by the plastic is like judging a book by the quality of the paper.

 

I can't add to perfection... precisely how I feel about this pen. Thanks for capturing what I felt like stating.

 

cheers

 

W

[Wael El-Dasher]

its a practical, and modern interpretation of the 139 ...

I certainly recognize it's not a 139, but it embodies its spirit

I haven't seen a 139 in person, however, the piston knob end doesn't look quite as good as on the Hemingway and that shiny black celluloid seems to lack the contrast and life of the brown and coral red... it feels minimalistic, if not poor, to me. Of course, I may change my mind when I will hold them next to each other.

 

Rob,

 

I don't have a 139 obviously, but I have the 136, and I understand the warmth that Eric mentions often. The touch of the 136 exudes pleasure that requires no color or contrast to experience. Hence I extrapolated that experience in the most shallow of ways but thinking to myself that the 139 will feel like the 136 but there's more of it...hence more pleasure

 

That's the most that my simple mind can come up with. :embarrassed_smile:

 

cheers

 

Wael

[QM2]

When it comes to the Hemingway, I just don't like the aesthetics: the tapered shape, the clip, and the combination of brown and orange. What appeals to me in pens is the 1920s aesthetic: straight-sided domed and flat-top pens with riveted or slip-on clips. This is why I like pens such as the Medici, the Schiller, the Prince Regent, and the 100 Historical Yr Pen (and dislike the entire modern Meisterstueck line). I simply don't respond to the proportions of pens from the 1930's onward, and any remakes thereof.

 

However, this is an entirely subjective opinion of course. In general, I agree with Wael El-Dasher, that there is more to the pen than the nib. Also, as much as I want to love the writing experience of vintage pens, 95% of the time I find modern ones more comfortable and pleasant to use. So if I did like the Hemingway, I would not at all feel ashamed to choose it over the original 139 model.

 

 

 

Edited February 11, 2009 by QM2

[RedRob]

The touch of the 136 exudes pleasure that requires no color or contrast to experience.

 

Ah, THE touch of celluloid.

Now I understand.

 

It is probably why my hands are always reaching for the Pelikan 1935 Lapis LE (thank you David BTW) even though my eyes are directed towards the 1931 Toledo, the Optima or a plastic MB LE. And speaking of touch, the Christie is nothing short of AWFUL in that regard.

 

The hands decide in the end, don't they?

Edited February 11, 2009 by RedRob

[Blade Runner]

I'm in love with my ornate Dumas, but I also love the bold, clean look of the Hemingway. I generally don't like unusually colored pens, but I think the coral-brown is a very attractive combination and the coral's unusual color is nicely balanced by the clean design of the pen. I'd love to own one. Anyone have a good price?

 

Best,

Jeen

[Wael El-Dasher]

...So if I did like the Hemingway, I would not at all feel shamed to choose it over the original 139 model.

 

QM2,

 

You made me think about your last statement...I suppose because I haven't experienced use of a 139, but loved the feel of the 136, I've idealized the 139 to the point where I feel that the Hemingway will do until I get a 139. But the reality may be very much what you stated. That is, one may get a 139 and find that the Hemingway is their preferred pen after all. That decision though can't be attained until one experiences the difference between the pens and prioritizes the characteristics they find more important.

 

I like your last statement quite a bit...I generally like any statement that allows one to re-examine things. Very well put.

 

cheers

 

Wael

[niksch]

I've used all referenced pens. The Hemingway and the 139. The modern 149 and the vintage 149. I always go back to the celluloid pens.

 

I had the Hemingway before I found the 139 I wanted. Wael, when you find your 139, you will realize that there is really no comparison in that the 139 is so much better constructed--and has that celluloid warmth--than the Hemingway. And I suspect, you will like the 139 better too.

 

And I do like the Hemingway, and I do like the color combo. I still opine that to me, it writes like a 149.