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A treasure with the scent of ink

A treasure with the scent of ink

A treasure with the scent of ink
Date
21. 05. 2024
Author
Petr Matějek

Exhibition of Montblanc Meisterstück and Writers Edition pens from Filip Labanec's private collection

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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Montblanc / Writers Edition / Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Release: 2017


The overall design of the pen is inspired by the Caudron Simoun aircraft, which is mentioned in the book Night Flight. Exupéry himself flew in this aircraft. The pen is made of high-quality dark blue resin. The engravings on the body of the pen evoke the night sky, which he often gazed at, as well as the metalwork of the aircraft body. 
You can also find a number of geographical coordinates on the pen. These are places that were very important during his life. Of course, Exupéry's signature and information about how many pens were made in this special edition cannot be missing. In the fountain pen version, you will find a star engraved on the tip, which refers to his iconic work The Little Prince.

The story of the pen from Filip Labanec's collection:

For me, these pens symbolize the beginning of my passion for luxury pens. It was in 2017 that I went to buy my first Montblanc, and these pens were introduced a few months later. I have a very personal relationship with The Little Prince, and it is very close to my heart. At that time, however, I could not even dream that I would one day own one. A few years passed, and I decided that I wanted these pens. I gradually started buying them second-hand from collectors, and this year I finally got my hands on a rollerball pen. For me, it is a memento of the beginning of my passion and reminds me of the emotions I felt at that time.

Homer

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Rudyard Kipling

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Montblanc / Writers Edition / Rudyard Kipling
Release: 2019

The pen is made of dark green resin, referring to the main theme of Kipling's stories - the dense jungle. This color was also used on the cover of the first edition of The Jungle Book. The pen clip is decorated with a small handle in the shape of a wolf's paw - a symbol of the main character Mowgli and his life among wolves. 
On top of the pen, above the clip, is a large wolf guarding the entire pen. The pen also features the last line of Kipling's most famous poem, "If----". Unlike other Writers Edition pens, there is no full signature here, only the initials that RK used. The tip features a beautiful and simple engraving of the globe as a symbol of the global influence and travel adventures characteristic of Kipling's work and life. Rudyard Kipling was also a traveler.

The story of the pen from Filip Labanec's collection:

I was lucky that this pen wasn't sold out immediately in the year it was released. I think its atypicality didn't find the greatest popularity among collectors, so I had the opportunity to buy this pen in a boutique. However, I haven't seen it for sale since then. When I bought this pen and filled it for the first time, it started to skip and didn't write properly. I discovered that the pen had a defect called "baby's bottoms," where the tip is poorly ground and ink remains between the two halves of the tip. With this pen, I learned how to grind the nib myself and make it work. Since then, I have also had a huge amount of fine sandpaper in my equipment.

Victor Hugo

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Montblanc / Writers Edition / Victor Hugo
Release: 2020

The pen is made of black resin, referencing Gothic architecture and Notre-Dame Cathedral, which plays a key role in Hugo's novel. The body design features patterns and details inspired by Gothic arches and towers. Below the clip is a beautiful gargoyle detail, just like on the cathedral. The pen clip is shaped like a bell tower - a symbol of the cathedral bells and the main character of the novel "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" - Quasimodo. The emblem features the phrase "Chaque homme dans sa nuit s'en va vers sa lumière" (Every man in his night goes towards his light). This quote symbolizes man's journey towards the light and the search for his own happiness, personal fulfillment, and meaning. The bottom of the pen is cone-shaped, symbolizing the pillar to which Quasimodo was chained.

The story of the pen from Filip Labanec's collection:

This pen is one of my favorites in terms of design. I love it when Gothic architecture is reflected in a pen like this. The years 2020/2021 marked the beginning of my Writers Edition collection, when I decided that I would buy at least one pen from this edition every year. However, Victor Hugo was no longer commonly available in online stores, so I searched for it through alternative sources and finally managed to exchange it for three other pens in Italy. This pen is still available, though, and I have seen it in several foreign boutiques.

 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Montblanc / Writers Edition / Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Release: 2021

The pen is made of dark blue resin, which references the atmosphere of Victorian London, where many of Sherlock Holmes' stories take place. The pen clip is shaped like a magnifying glass, an iconic symbol of Sherlock Holmes and his deductive method of investigation. Under the magnifying glass are the initials JB, which refer to Joseph Bell, who served as the inspiration for Sherlock Holmes. The red circle is reminiscent of the historical ophthalmoscope that Doyle used in his time as an ophthalmologist. The engraving on the gold nib consists of flying dinosaurs from the book The Lost World and a portrait of Doyle. The pen also features parts of a historical map of London showing Baker Street and Upper Wimpole Street.

The story of the pen from Filip Labanec's collection:


This pen was the first pen I bought immediately after its release, and I continued to do so until last year.

Brothers Grimm

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Montblanc / Writers Edition / Brothers Grimm
Release: 2022

The pen is made of black resin, evoking the dark and mysterious atmosphere of the Brothers Grimm's stories. The body is finely engraved with forest motifs. The clip is shaped like a tree branch, as forests often play a key role
in their fairy tales, such as in the story of Hansel and Gretel. When you turn the clip from the side, you can see the profiles of both brothers. At the bottom of the pen is a spindle shape with the inscription Kinder- und Hausmärchen and the number 12, referring to the twelfth fairy tale, Rapunzel. This is also represented by the large R and the wavy hair around it. The silhouette of the pen resembles a wooden walking stick. At the tip is a fire, symbolizing that fairy tales were often told in the evening by the fire. Of course, the words "Once upon a time..." cannot be missing from the pen, which we can translate as "once upon a time."

Louis Stevenson

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Montblanc / Writers Edition / Robert Louis Stevenson
Release: 2023

The most distinctive feature of this pen is the pirate emblem on the top of the cap. The atypical design of the emblem is quite rare. The pen features a mirror engraving of the words "Under the wide and starry sky." This symbolizes the natural duality of human nature, which Stevenson describes in his works. The pen clip is shaped like a fastening pin with a compass above it.

The cap of the pen resembles wooden boards, and 1850–1894 is the period in which Stevenson lived. The body of the pen is made of black resin covered with a black X symbol. When you look closely at the pen, one X is different from the others, symbolizing a treasure mark on a map. The silhouette of the entire pen resembles a retractable telescope from that period. The gold nib of the pen features waves and the inscription TUSITALA, which means storyteller. This was the pseudonym used by Stevenson himself.

Montblanc Meisterstück: Symbol Excelentnosti

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Meisterstück

Origin: The first Montblanc Meisterstück pen was introduced in 1924. The name "Meisterstück" means "masterpiece" in German, and the pen quickly became synonymous with luxury, quality, and craftsmanship. Significance: The pen was designed to be a symbol of the highest quality in writing instruments, and its design was intended to reflect a combination of elegance and practicality.

Design and materials:

Body: The body of the pen is made of high-quality black resin, which is polished to a high gloss. This material is durable and aesthetically appealing.
Details: The pen has distinctive details such as gold or platinum rings, which give the pen an elegant and luxurious look. The word "Meisterstück" is engraved on the ring. 
Clip: The pen clip is simple, elegant, and often gold-plated or platinum-plated. The serial number of the pen is stamped on the end of the clip. Logo: The Montblanc emblem in the shape of a white star, symbolizing the snow-capped peak of Mont Blanc, is placed on the top of the cap.

Nib and writing mechanism:

Nib: The nib is handcrafted from 14-carat or 18-carat gold. It is decorated with a delicate engraving, often featuring the number 4810, which symbolizes the height of Mont Blanc in meters.
Mechanism: Montblanc Meisterstück pens are available in various versions, including fountain pens, ballpoint pens, rollerballs, and mechanical pencils. Fountain pens have a piston mechanism for filling ink, which ensures smooth and consistent writing.

Symbolism and meaning:

Prestige: Montblanc Meisterstück pens are often perceived as a symbol of prestige and success. They are popular among business leaders, politicians, and artists around the world. Gift: Meisterstück pens are a popular gift for important events such as graduations, career promotions, and anniversaries. Their timeless design and high quality ensure that they will remain a cherished gift for many years to come.

See the current range of Montblanc Meisterstück pens in our online store:

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