Montblanc 136 Celluloid Fountain Pen 1940 - 45. 14C F Flex Nib. Very Rare
Item History & Price
Montblanc 136 Celluloid Fountain Pen 1940-45. 14C F Flex Nib. Very Rare. Just Serviced with new Cork. Pen has zero, cracks, splits or repairs etc. Fabulous example....
A more detailed description and FULL set of Photographs including writing sample will be added before auction ends on Sunday the 4th.
On 31-Jul-19 at 12:11:08 BST, seller added the following information:Some more information about this Montblanc 136...
Made in Germany 1943-45 in this exact form. Wha...t a handsome pen this is with its beautiful FULL demonstrator length Crimson Red see through Celluloid Barrel. However the real jewel in the crown with this pen has to be that wonderful Fine Flex Nib. Very creative writer full of personality. Has its original factory fit rare 235 Steel nib included but Comes fitted ready to write with a superior in EVERY way sublime 1st issue post war 1945-46-1952 ONLY 14C F Flex nib with Shaded encircled (M) centre nib (After 1952 the (M) circle surround was no longer shaded). 1st class upgrade of the highest order!! These are the exact nibs Montblanc fitted to their 136 as soon as the Gold ban was lifted after the war. These 14C nibs are regarded by many as the best nibs Montblanc ever made.
This wartime issue 136 is rare and unique in features for that time. To explain its exact history and manufacture can only really be done with anecdote and through use of published memoirs of those around at the time and their surviving children. So lets provide some context...By 1943 Hamburg was in chaos. Fire storm Phosphorous bombs dropped by the RAF and U.S. Air Forces had laid waste to half the City. Although the Montblanc Hamburg factory survived 1943 untouched its staff and ability to run was seriously compromised. It is from this time 1943 until 1945 that so little is known regarding production at Montblanc as in 1944 the factory was partially bombed and all accounts and records were lost to fire. The daughter of Voss (Montblanc original owner/partner) recollected that as little as 4 pens a week were being produced in this dark time. It is also said some Meisterstuck pen parts were shipped to their Denmark factory for assembly and in case of further damage to Hamburg which by 1944 was looking bleak for all its inhabitants. Guilty or Innocent. You certainly "reap what you sow" but as one of Germanys biggest Ports and a major War Industry manufacture centre Hamburg paid a particularly heavy toll. It is against this background that this 136 was made. 1 or 2 experienced staff at best. Elderly retired men and local women assembled pens 1942-45. All men fit enough were already in the Army or national Guard by 1939-41. So by 1943-44 even their Meisterstuck pens were mix and match parts from 1936-43 spares etc they had still in stock. So some have BHR (Black Hard Rubber) caps and some have Celluloid. Some have BHR DRP imprint Piston housing and some are Celluloid and some are mixed Piston Housing and Celluloid Blind Cap (Tail End). Like this example. Blank celluloid Piston Housing and BHR 136 Imprint Blind Cap that is Pin fitted. UNIQUE to this era. Also the caps have a simpler flat Gold Ring Band rather than step ring band of 1936-40 etc. However like a Phoenix Montblanc rose from ruin and the fiery abyss to absolute success within 2 years of 1944. By the end of 1945 into 1946 they were fully recovered. By 1947 they had already designed their most famous pen the 146 etc. This miraculous turn around was no accident or fluke. When the British Military took over Hamburg in 1945 they called a meeting of industry leaders and business men to look at how Hamburg could be put back to work and rebuilt. Voss attended and was given much needed materials Celluloid and most importantly Gold to make nibs again. This Green Light had to have come from above. Winston Churchill himself and a few High Ranking officers in High Command are known to have used and admired Montblanc Pens since long before the war. So I believe Montblanc had a unique helping hand to get back on its feet. Also the first few years after the war most pens made at Montblanc Hamburg were shipped to England. Or sold to military officers etc in Hamburg. Very few pens made between 1945 to 1948 were sold in Germany as ordinary Germans simply couldn't afford them and Montblanc did not want German Money anyway at this time. They wanted Pounds and Dollars as much more could be done with those currency at this time. This is why many of the 1945-55 Meisterstuck range was stamped Masterpiece instead. This is not the ramblings of an Englishman telling tales but the memoirs of Voss's Daughter. Voss started the Montblanc Nib factory in 1914 just before WW1 as he knew supply of the New York USA nibs they were using was soon to be closed. That's how important Voss is to Montblanc. Voss also manufactured the original Pelikan 100 pens nibs. Which is why they are known as Montblanc Pelikan nibs. (1st issue Pelikan 100 ONLY by 1930 Pelikan made their own nibs).
Anyways...Enough about history....The pen itself is made of Celluloid, Cap, Barrel and Piston Housing. The Front Section (part you hold when writing), Blind Cap, Caps White Star Top and Feed are all BHR (Black Hard Rubber). The White Star is Casein. The pen has no Cracks, Splits or Repairs etc = RARE! The Telescopic Metal Piston has just been serviced with New Cork. Overall once in the hand to the naked eye looks fantastic still. The 14C 1st issue post war Nib is a superstar flex writer. Very highly sought after nibs. Especially in Fine to Extra Fine like this one. Writes with a Fine line that has Extra Fine line side stroke at normal pressure. Very elegant writer perfect for everyday use. Then comes this nibs sublime Flexibility. The flex this nib has allows for the creation of every line width imaginable from Extra Fine all the way to Double Broad on the down stroke when varying levels of pressure is applied. This is a nib so creative its ONLY limitation is the imagination and writing ability of its user. Once in the hand of an experienced Flex writer this nib will offer writing so beautiful it simply leaves ALL its competition in the dust. This is a thoroughbred nib for the writing Connoisseur. Grade A++++++++++++++Flex Nib!
Comes ready to write just add your favorite colour bottled ink... Perfect as a gift or treat yourself to a wonderful collectible fountain pen that can be used and enjoyed daily... Please view all the Photographs they form large part of the description. All photographs are of actual pen. What you see is everything you receive. Any boxes or papers will ALWAYS be photographed if included. If you have any questions please feel free to email. 100% money back authenticity guaranteed throughout. Bid with confidence.Shipping costs etc, UK, £5. Worldwide add: Insured Registered Express delivery: Worldwide $15.00, Europe £10.00. Combined shipping is available with zero extra shipping cost in most cases. Email for quote. Fed Ex is also available.. Preferred payment: Paypal, Bank wire transfer, Bank draft & UK(only) personal cheque. Buyer pays any costs etc. PLEASE VIEW MY OTHER ITEMS MORE PENS, Montblanc, Onoto, Conway Stewart, Parker, Waterman, Mabie Todd Swan, Sheaffer, Dunhill etc..
A more detailed description and FULL set of Photographs including writing sample will be added before auction ends on Sunday the 4th.
On 31-Jul-19 at 12:11:08 BST, seller added the following information:Some more information about this Montblanc 136...
Made in Germany 1943-45 in this exact form. Wha...t a handsome pen this is with its beautiful FULL demonstrator length Crimson Red see through Celluloid Barrel. However the real jewel in the crown with this pen has to be that wonderful Fine Flex Nib. Very creative writer full of personality. Has its original factory fit rare 235 Steel nib included but Comes fitted ready to write with a superior in EVERY way sublime 1st issue post war 1945-46-1952 ONLY 14C F Flex nib with Shaded encircled (M) centre nib (After 1952 the (M) circle surround was no longer shaded). 1st class upgrade of the highest order!! These are the exact nibs Montblanc fitted to their 136 as soon as the Gold ban was lifted after the war. These 14C nibs are regarded by many as the best nibs Montblanc ever made.
This wartime issue 136 is rare and unique in features for that time. To explain its exact history and manufacture can only really be done with anecdote and through use of published memoirs of those around at the time and their surviving children. So lets provide some context...By 1943 Hamburg was in chaos. Fire storm Phosphorous bombs dropped by the RAF and U.S. Air Forces had laid waste to half the City. Although the Montblanc Hamburg factory survived 1943 untouched its staff and ability to run was seriously compromised. It is from this time 1943 until 1945 that so little is known regarding production at Montblanc as in 1944 the factory was partially bombed and all accounts and records were lost to fire. The daughter of Voss (Montblanc original owner/partner) recollected that as little as 4 pens a week were being produced in this dark time. It is also said some Meisterstuck pen parts were shipped to their Denmark factory for assembly and in case of further damage to Hamburg which by 1944 was looking bleak for all its inhabitants. Guilty or Innocent. You certainly "reap what you sow" but as one of Germanys biggest Ports and a major War Industry manufacture centre Hamburg paid a particularly heavy toll. It is against this background that this 136 was made. 1 or 2 experienced staff at best. Elderly retired men and local women assembled pens 1942-45. All men fit enough were already in the Army or national Guard by 1939-41. So by 1943-44 even their Meisterstuck pens were mix and match parts from 1936-43 spares etc they had still in stock. So some have BHR (Black Hard Rubber) caps and some have Celluloid. Some have BHR DRP imprint Piston housing and some are Celluloid and some are mixed Piston Housing and Celluloid Blind Cap (Tail End). Like this example. Blank celluloid Piston Housing and BHR 136 Imprint Blind Cap that is Pin fitted. UNIQUE to this era. Also the caps have a simpler flat Gold Ring Band rather than step ring band of 1936-40 etc. However like a Phoenix Montblanc rose from ruin and the fiery abyss to absolute success within 2 years of 1944. By the end of 1945 into 1946 they were fully recovered. By 1947 they had already designed their most famous pen the 146 etc. This miraculous turn around was no accident or fluke. When the British Military took over Hamburg in 1945 they called a meeting of industry leaders and business men to look at how Hamburg could be put back to work and rebuilt. Voss attended and was given much needed materials Celluloid and most importantly Gold to make nibs again. This Green Light had to have come from above. Winston Churchill himself and a few High Ranking officers in High Command are known to have used and admired Montblanc Pens since long before the war. So I believe Montblanc had a unique helping hand to get back on its feet. Also the first few years after the war most pens made at Montblanc Hamburg were shipped to England. Or sold to military officers etc in Hamburg. Very few pens made between 1945 to 1948 were sold in Germany as ordinary Germans simply couldn't afford them and Montblanc did not want German Money anyway at this time. They wanted Pounds and Dollars as much more could be done with those currency at this time. This is why many of the 1945-55 Meisterstuck range was stamped Masterpiece instead. This is not the ramblings of an Englishman telling tales but the memoirs of Voss's Daughter. Voss started the Montblanc Nib factory in 1914 just before WW1 as he knew supply of the New York USA nibs they were using was soon to be closed. That's how important Voss is to Montblanc. Voss also manufactured the original Pelikan 100 pens nibs. Which is why they are known as Montblanc Pelikan nibs. (1st issue Pelikan 100 ONLY by 1930 Pelikan made their own nibs).
Anyways...Enough about history....The pen itself is made of Celluloid, Cap, Barrel and Piston Housing. The Front Section (part you hold when writing), Blind Cap, Caps White Star Top and Feed are all BHR (Black Hard Rubber). The White Star is Casein. The pen has no Cracks, Splits or Repairs etc = RARE! The Telescopic Metal Piston has just been serviced with New Cork. Overall once in the hand to the naked eye looks fantastic still. The 14C 1st issue post war Nib is a superstar flex writer. Very highly sought after nibs. Especially in Fine to Extra Fine like this one. Writes with a Fine line that has Extra Fine line side stroke at normal pressure. Very elegant writer perfect for everyday use. Then comes this nibs sublime Flexibility. The flex this nib has allows for the creation of every line width imaginable from Extra Fine all the way to Double Broad on the down stroke when varying levels of pressure is applied. This is a nib so creative its ONLY limitation is the imagination and writing ability of its user. Once in the hand of an experienced Flex writer this nib will offer writing so beautiful it simply leaves ALL its competition in the dust. This is a thoroughbred nib for the writing Connoisseur. Grade A++++++++++++++Flex Nib!
Comes ready to write just add your favorite colour bottled ink... Perfect as a gift or treat yourself to a wonderful collectible fountain pen that can be used and enjoyed daily... Please view all the Photographs they form large part of the description. All photographs are of actual pen. What you see is everything you receive. Any boxes or papers will ALWAYS be photographed if included. If you have any questions please feel free to email. 100% money back authenticity guaranteed throughout. Bid with confidence.Shipping costs etc, UK, £5. Worldwide add: Insured Registered Express delivery: Worldwide $15.00, Europe £10.00. Combined shipping is available with zero extra shipping cost in most cases. Email for quote. Fed Ex is also available.. Preferred payment: Paypal, Bank wire transfer, Bank draft & UK(only) personal cheque. Buyer pays any costs etc. PLEASE VIEW MY OTHER ITEMS MORE PENS, Montblanc, Onoto, Conway Stewart, Parker, Waterman, Mabie Todd Swan, Sheaffer, Dunhill etc..
