1950s MONTBLANC Masterpiece/Meisterstuck Celluloid 142 KM Kugel/Ball Medium Super Flexible Nib Telescopic Piston Fountain Pen Item ID: MON-086

MONTBLANC Masterpiece 142

Manufacturer/Model: Montblanc Meisterstuck ("Montblanc Masterpiece" inscription on the caps' ring) 142/KM Germany
Year of production: Mid 50s (1955-1957)
Filling system: Three stage Telescopic Piston (2 new O rubber Ring Seals/Cork installed)
Nib: 14K 585 Two Tone Gold; Special Size KM Nib (K Standing For "Kugel" - Ball in German, Ball Tip Medium Super Flexible
Material: High Shine Semi Transparent Celluloid, Gold Filled Trimmings. Telescopic piston made out of steel and brass. Ivory color cap Star 
Length (pen closed): 127mm; posted at 146

Condition and information:
A truly stunning original 1955/57 first series Montblanc 142 (Meisterstuck) Masterpiece pen. This is probably the most recognizable pen in the world and this is the pen that raised the bar - by far - when it was introduced, and it helped make Montblanc what it is today. The pen bares the inscription "Masterpiece" on the ring, which means it was made for export, as pens for the German market had "Meisterstuck" inscription on them. If there is pen with a perfect balance, perfect form factor, perfect feel and writing experience, perfect appeal and quality, this would be it. There is nothing like these Celluloid 1950s Montblanc pens. The build quality is amazing with stunning depth of colors, amber like ink window, immense attention to detail but also design as "form follows function". All of these pens were all made by hand by master craftsman. Some parts such as the piston and clip are cast brass and steel, heavy and almost impossible to damage. Unlike new clips which are made from thin pressed metal plates, these clips were cast metal, and the difference is both visible and palpable. It's hard to believe that such pens were made nearly 70 years ago. The walls of both the body and cap are very thick, very heavy, with a beautiful translucent long ink windows. This together with the most overly engineered piston system, makes the pen very heavy, feeling solid in the hand. Solid brass and steel 3 stage folding telescopic piston gives the pen unusual weight and sturdiness. This piston system retracts like a vintage spyglasses inside the pen, thus making more space for the ink in the barrel. Even though a compact pen, it can take more ink them much larger pens due to the telescopic piston. This system is so complex and expensive to manufacture, that later Montblanc pens, even the 149 don't have it. Unlike the newer models made out of black resin, the celluloid is a superior material, it simply feels as the natural material to make a pen from. This is why some of these pens still look and perform as they did 50-60 years ago. We've fitted the pen with two new "O" rubber rings, which replaces the old cork. Unlike the wood cork which squeaks and wears out over time, the rubber O ring does not ware out and will last for another 50+ years. The O ring piston ensures smooth operation and its completely leak proof. The ebonite feed is the original, providing perfect ink flow and does not react chemically with the ink, keeping the nib safe and ready. The pen has a very good ink-flow due to the two large feed canals need to supply this wet nib, a nib with even good flexibility. The nib is a rare masterpiece, not manufactured since at least few decades ago. It is called KM or Kugelspitze Medium, standing for "Ballpoint Medium". As the name implies, the tip of the nib is shaped like a ball/sphere, which in essence allows for much greater angle of holding and angle of pen rotation while writing, essentially making the pen much easier to write with due to the large angle tolerances. On top of that, this is a super-fully flexible nib that simply immerses itself on the paper. The pen will write lines more than 2-3mm wide on the down strokes. Depending on the way it's held, fast side strokes can be thin, and using the flex can add to the variation. Basically there is no line this pen cannot produce; some of the best writing one could hope to achieve with a fountain pen. There are crisp markings on the nib "142" and "142" and "KM" crisp imprints on the turning knob. The trimmings and the clip unlike the newer models are thick gold filled, so no gold wear off will occur. 3 gold bands on the cap help prevent cracks. The yellowish ivory like star is amazing with a distinct vintage appeal to it. The pen is in perfect functional condition but with good to fair cosmetic condition. There are some scratches as well as some dings and chips, but these are secondary to the function of the pen, which is simply amazing. The pen is not restored, comes with all of its original parts, no discoloration or personal insignia, originally preserved. A true Montblanc Masterpiece legend, the probably the perfect fountain pen.