Aurora 88K Vintage Fountain Pen

Repairing broken piston on an Aurora 88K.

Aurora 88K Vintage Fountain Pen

Image above is the fully restored Aurora 88K. This pen when received, had first to undergo major repairs to the piston filling system by Hepworth Dixon.

The piston filling knob rotated, but the piston itself would not move within the barrel, visible through the ink level viewing window.

Removing the piston filling knob and retracting the piston assembly through the section end of barrel, it all became obvious what had happened. The hexagonal piston was broken away by approximately 5mm at the rear end. The worm screw drive was disengaged from piston, preventing any forward or back movement.

The chances of finding a replacement hexagonal piston were very slim. Drastic action had to be taken.

The Repair:

First the damaged end of piston was turned down on a lathe to remove damaged end section. With the piston now shorter, the length of the worm screw would need to be increased. The worm screw drive was cut in half, the sawn ends turned flat, both ends drilled and tapped with a 10 BA internal thread.

Careful measurement of modified piston travel determined the length of required shaft extension insert. The extension piece was turned up in brass and externally threaded both ends.

Using a thread locking compound the modified worm screw was assembled.

Operation and piston travel checked. This was also a good time to fit a new piston seal, comprising of two neoprene 'O' rings.

Piston re-assembled into barrel and secured with new brass drive pin. Piston turning knob replaced with original locking screw and screw access hole plugged. Piston travel again checked once nib section was replaced.

Overall a very pleasing restoration to what initially looked to be a more parts destined for the spares box............  It should be noted that the ink volume held in barrel when filled, has a slightly lower ink capacity due to reduced piston travel.

Montegrappa "Tribute to Ayrton Senna" Limited Edition

Solid gold fountain pen limited to 161 pieces (#43)

Montegrappa "Ayrton Senna" Limited Edition

Ayrton Senna's philosophy of setting lofty goals, meeting the challenge and striving to be the best is what made him a legend. It was this philosophy which inspired the creation of a writing instrument which would honour this great achiever and motivator. 

The "TRIBUTE TO AYRTON SENNA" Limited Edition reflected a new turn in MONTEGRAPPA's manufacturing history for it was the first release to combine two techniques unique to Montegrappa: low relief engraving and high relief hand enhanced die cast. 

The solid gold cap and barrel are delicately adorned with low relief engraving. The engraved patterns, with strong sporting personality, reproduce a shower of the sinuous double "S" SENNA brand logos alternating with a tyre tread design. 

High relief hand enhanced die cast is used to produce the components fitted to the cap, namely a spring loaded clip reproducing the design of a F1 car in solid 18 carat gold, plus a "rain" tyre fitted to the top of the cap, also in 18 carat gold. The tyre is laser engraved with the MONTEGRAPPA trade mark. The SENNA brand logo appears on the central band as does the pen's individual serial number (43/161), the name of the circuit (MONZA) and the date of the particular race (07.09.86).

This "TRIBUTE TO AYRTON SENNA" is provided with an 18K gold medium nib chiselled with the Senna brand Logos and the laurel leaves witnessing Ayrton's victories throughout his three time F1 world champion's career. Continuing Montegrappa's old traditions, the feed is fashioned from ebonite. The fountain pen features a solid gold grip section designed to provide comfort.  

The pen is presented in a large perspex display case reproducing the design of a F1 car. It allows one to view the pen through the cover which accentuates the beautiful details of this inspired writing instrument. `this display makes a bold statement about the pen it encases as well as a magnificent desk top accessory. A cleverly befitting double-pouch to store the pen and its accessories (convertor or cartridge) manufactured in Nomex, a fire-retardent material used for the manufacture of F1 driving gloves, completes the compliment.

The "TRIBUTE TO AYRTON SENNA" Limited Edition collection consisted of:

1960 sterling silver fountain pens

1960 sterling silver rollerballs

161 solid 18K gold fountain pens

41 solid 18K gold rollerballs

These quantities have a special significance for Ayrton's friends and fans. 1960 was the year Ayrton Senna was born. 161 was the number of races in F1. 41 was the number of his victories.

This stunning fountain pen is available from www.hepworthdixon.com. It is un-used, boxed and complete with all dated paperwork

Montblanc Octavian - Patron of Art Limited Edition Fountain Pen

The Montblanc Octavian was introduced in 1993 as a tribute to the Roman emperor - Octavian Augustus, it is considered one the most beautiful pens in the Patron of Art series. It is the second Patron of Art offering by Montblanc, following the very successful Lorenzo de Medici, launched in 1992.

Montblanc Octavian 1993

925 Sterling Silver Inter-woven over Black Precious Resin

The body is skillfully enveloped by a spider web with the spider in its centre.

The cap depicts the same spider in its web motiff, refering to the tight centralized command and control (web) Octavian established in his Roman Empire with himself (spider) in its centre.

The arachnoid domain on pen's cap and barrel is executed in sterling 925 silver overlay "entangling" the black precious resin body of the pen. The fine point 18 carat solid gold nib is carefully hand crafted and adorned with a spider - a symbol of wisdom in ancient greece and Rome. The overall appearance of this pen is stunning.

This pen is a coveted dream of many serious collectors of modern writing instruments. Its origins traces back to 1920's popular silver overlayed safety pens. Montblanc used this opportunity and created a great occasion to bring back the figurative spider so intricately depicting Octavian's role in strengthening rome and its web of influences in ancient times.

Item Details:

Series: Patron of Art Limited Edition
Edition Number: 3283/4810
Filling System: Piston
Nib:18K gold with rhodium plated inlay, intricately scrolled with spider design.
Nib Size: Fine
Barrel: Black precious resin with 925 sterling silver filigree overlay. Black piston turning knob and nib section
Screw Cap: Black precious resin with hallmarked sterling silver filigree overlay. Black resin cap top bearing 'snow cap' signet.
Clip: 925 sterling silver with old style Montblanc logo stamped along length
Dimensions: 14.2 cm (5.5/8 in) Long (capped). Cap Diameter 14.4 mm (0.57 ins)
Weight: 34.5 grams

To view in more detail, or indeed purchase this magnificent writing instrument visit: http://www.hepworthdixon.com/section.php/10/1/montblanc

Montblanc 342 Vintage Fountain Pen

Montblanc 342 piston filling fountain pen in rarer gloss green resin with gold filled trim. Made in Germany during the late 1950's.

Montblanc 342 Fountain Pen

Montblanc 342 Fountain Pen

Pen Description

Screw-on cap is fitted with gold filled pocket clip and ring. Clip is retained by domed stud, with white celluloid Montblanc signet inlaid to top. Gold filled medium cap lip band with 'MONTBLANC - 342' engraved around circumference.

Green two piece resin barrel and section. Barrel has clear transparent ink view window. Knob at rear of barrel un-screws to operate piston filling mechanism.

Pen measures 5.0 inches (12.5 cms) long with cap attached. 5.5/8 ins (14.5 cms) with cap posted. Cap diameter: 13.0 mm. Weight: 15.8 grams.

Nib and Feed

Solid gold 14ct original nib mounted on ebonite feed. Nib is stamped ‘MONT - BLANC - 14C - MONTBLANC - 585 - 342’. Writing tip is medium. Nib is both smooth and flexible, providing good line variation.


This is an exceptional example of the 1950's Montblanc 342 fountain pen. In rarer dark green colour and in very excellent condition.

For full details on this fountain pen and many others visit our website www.hepworthdixon.com

Montblanc Hemingway Writers Series Limited Edition Fountain and Ballpoint Pens

Out of the darkness and into the spotlight................

For the past 20 years, this pair of Montblanc Writers Series Limited Edition 'Hemingway' fountain and ballpoint pens have been hidden away in a safe. Recently serviced by Hepworth Dixon, we are now in a position to offer these highly collectable and sort after pens for sale, either as a pair or individually.

Montblanc Writers Series Limited Edition Hemingway

In 1992 Mont Blanc launched two limited-edition pens, one named after Lorenzo de Medici, in the new ‘Patron of Art’ series, the other after Ernest Hemingway in the new ‘Writers’ series.

As a tribute to one of the great American writers of the 20th century, Montblanc introduced the Hemingway fountain pen in the autumn of 1992. Modeled after a Montblanc design from the 1930′s, it recalls the time of Ernest Hemingway – a time of great style and verve.

The coral red body and dark brown cap are made from precious resin and the cap bears the signature of this great writer. The pen has a screw knob operated piston filling system. The fountain pen barrel holds a vast quantity of ink. It has a paned ink view window to indicate when ink level is low. The large 18ct gold nib with rhodium inlay is detailed with intricate scrollwork. Pen is supplied in original Limited Edition 'book style' box, complete with papers.

Montblanc Hemingway Special Edition Fountain Pen

Ernest Hemingway was undoubtedly one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, and he still inspires discriminating literature enthusiasts all around the world. 

In works such as "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "The Old Man and the Sea", Hemingway was remarkable for his powers of verbal expression and the denseness of his narratives. Hemingway thus became not only a model for a whole generation of writers, but also a challenge – which most of them failed to meet.










Production of the fountain pen was strictly limited to 20,000 pieces. Each pen bares a unique identity number. The matching Hemingway ballpoint pen (featured below) was limited to 30,000 pieces.

Montblanc Hemingway Special Edition Ballpoint Pen

As stated above, 1992 was also the year that Montblanc launched their "Patron of Art" series. The first fountain pen in this series was the 'Lorenzo de Medici'. A Limited Edition of just 4810 pieces worldwide. Now available from Hepworth Dixon, the 'Lorenzo de Medici' will be featured in forthcoming blog. For now a single image of this recently serviced beauty will have to do.

1992 Montblanc Patron of Art 'Lorenzo de Medici' Limited Edition Fountain Pen

Montblanc Special Edition Arturo Toscanini

Montblanc Donation (Music) Series

Technically the Donation Series is a Special Edition and not necessarily considered a true Limited Edition because not all series pieces carried individual serial numbers (some do). Montblanc donated a portion of the sale proceeds to a charity benefiting young artists.

Montblanc dedicated the sixth in their series of classical music Donation Pens in 2007 to Arturo Toscanini.

2007 Special Edition Montblanc Arturo Toscanini

The musical career of Arturo Toscanini spanned seven decades. When he died in 1957 at the age of almost 90, he had revolutionized the world of classical music and paved the way for upcoming young musicians. With this donation pen Montblanc paid tribute to the musical career of Arturo Toscanini.

The many facets of his genius are reflected in the design of this exclusive writing instrument. The black precious resin and the platinum-plated mountings with their clear lines and harmonised proportions pay tribute to Toscanini’s perfectionism. The sculpted clip is shaped like strings and string holder of a violoncello. Both barrel and cap are made from black precious resin, the cap ring is engraved with the signature of Arturo Toscanini. The nib is rhodium plated 18k gold.

This highly collectable fountain pen, complete with presentation box and Montblanc boutique stamped service/warranty booklet is available to purchase from Hepworth Dixon. Price on application.