Meisterstück

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Meisterstück (German for masterpiece) is the line of large pens from luxury brand Montblanc.

[edit] History

The first Mont Blanc to be branded a Meisterstück was produced in 1925 - in fact, at this time the company was still known as Simplo, and the Mont Blanc was itself a model of pen the company produced. See Montblanc and http://montblanc.parkerpens.org/montblanc.html.

Vintage Meisterstück fountain pens were made with brass piston mechanisms and lathed celluloid bindes (the outer body) . Modern pens are usually injection moulded from plastic ("Precious Resin" - see Montblanc) but are sometimes sterling silver or gold and include cartridge converter as well as piston fillers.

Vintage Meisterstücks included semi-hooded designs using Mont Blanc's classic but now abandoned wing nib, but modern Meisterstücks all use conventional "open" nibs. Vintage pens, especially those from the 1950's, command a large premium for what is regarded as their higher quality. Coloured celluloids (typically found in vertically striated patterns of subdued colours - e.g. of grey and green) command a premium over the usual black. Vintage Mont Blanc fountain pens are often found with flex nibs or, as with many vintage German pens, oblique nibs.

See here for a discussion of the evolution of the Meisterstück flagship design, the 149, and Montblanc's own site for a catalogue of the modern Meisterstück range.

[edit] Modern Meisterstücks

Modern Meisterstücks include fountain pens, ballpoints, rollerballs, pencils, and even a highlighter pen.

The main recurring motif of the Meisterstück is the central inscribed ring with two plain and thinner equidistant rings above and below. Traditionally these rings have been in gold, but lately other variations such as platinum have occurred.

This theme was echoed in Montblanc's "Star" line of watches.