This year marks the 100th anniversary of Montblanc's iconic Meisterstück series. On this occasion, we will review the first 50 years of the model family’s history.
The Montblanc company, initially registered in Hamburg as SIMPLO FILLER PEN CO., began manufacturing fountain pens in 1908, which were named ROUGET ET NOIR. The company aimed to launch high-quality pens, which is also symbolized by its brand name. Thus, from 1910, it marketed its pens under the name Montblanc.
The brand name became a great success and was registered as a trademark. Since 1913, the Montblanc star has been the brand's logo, symbolizing the snow-capped peak and the six valleys of the mountain.
The Montblanc Meisterstück makes its debut.
The Montblanc Simplo company introduced the Meisterstück collection in 1924, primarily created to surpass competing German brands and fountain pens imported from the USA. The Meisterstück fountain pens were made with a lifetime warranty, thus they were priced about 40 percent higher than similar pens from other companies. These early pieces were identical to the Montblanc models produced until then.
They were made with a kind of safety pre-filled system in three sizes (4, 6, 8). They were marked with type numbers No.25; 35; 45, which also corresponded to the selling prices of the pens in German imperial marks at the time. A significant change occurred with the nibs, which were replaced from 14-carat to 18-carat gold.
Later, these pens were equipped with a double ring and then a clip, and the range was expanded with additional sizes (No. 20; 30; 40). From 1925, the product family was expanded with fountain pens equipped with a lever filling system.
With the spread of colored celluloids, Montblanc also began using these materials from 1928.
From 1929, it expanded its range with a new proprietary filling system. This differed from the push-button filling in that the lower cover cap did not detach from the push part and thus could not be lost. With this system, Montblanc distinguished itself from other competitors.
’The 1930s
The iconic number 4810, which refers to the height of the Montblanc peak, began to be marked on Meisterstück nibs from 1930, symbolizing high quality. Additionally, the material of the 18K gold nibs produced until then was modified to 14K.
From 1935, a significant change occurred in Meisterstück fountain pens: the Hamburg-based company introduced a unique art deco design. They began using two-tone rhodium-coated nibs.
They introduced the telescopic piston mechanism capable of absorbing an extreme amount of ink, which was an important product innovation for the Meisterstück series. Thus, the 139 became the fountain pen with the largest ink capacity in the world.
Alongside piston-filled pens, safety pre-filled and push-button filling fountain pens were still being manufactured. During this period, the range of filling systems and sizes was the widest. Therefore, to ensure easy identification, a three-digit numbering system was introduced.
The first digit indicated the category:
- 1 – Masterpiece
The second digit indicated the filling system:
- 0 – safety
- 2 – push-button
- 3 – piston
The third digit indicated the size:
- 2
- 4
- 6
- 8
- 9
For some models, a letter code was also paired with the numbers:
- G: glatte (shiny)
- S: schraffiert (striped)
- E: extraklasse (rose-patterned)
- PL: platinschwarz (platinum-black color)
- P: perle (pearl-colored)
- K: kurz (short version)
- L: luxus (luxury edition)
’40s
From 1941, due to wartime economy and raw material shortages, pen production was limited to export. Unfortunately, this was also reflected in the quality. These pens were made with steel nibs, often with brass clips, but there were also versions without a cap ring.
After the end of World War II and the restoration of the country, from 1947 the company began independent reproduction with the materials available to it, using the old collection.
The introduction of the new Montblanc Meisterstück family
From 1949, the introduction of the new Meisterstück product family began, featuring the classic torpedo shape that Montblanc still uses today. This series is now equipped only with piston filling mechanisms and continues to use the three-digit identifier.
First digit:
- 1 – plastic body and cap
- 6 – plastic body, metal cap
- 7 – metal body and cap
The second digit indicated the filling system:
- 4 – piston
The third digit indicated the size:
- 2
- 4
- 6
- 9
From 1957, the two-tone classic nib was changed to a modern shape (wing nib). This was marked with the letter „N” alongside the three digits. These models were produced until 1959, marking the end of a significant era for Montblanc writing instruments.
The production of pen bodies through machine cutting and turning has been completed. From 1960, pens are made with a completely different manufacturing technology, with heat-curing injection molded plastics taking the place of the old noble materials.
Up to this era, I collect fountain pens, and I wanted to illustrate the changes in the design of the Meisterstück during this period, as well as its technical development, with pieces from my own collection.
Zoli's further articles in the Budapest Pen Show magazine can be found here.
