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.

Montblanc Greta Garbo Special Edition

Montblanc produced its first Special Edition for the elegant woman in 2005; it was dedicated to the legendary film actress Greta Garbo on the occasion of her 100th birthday. In its elegant but individual design, the Special Edition Greta Garbo reflects the beauty and independent nature of the great Hollywood star.

MONTBLANC: Greta Garbo Special Edition Fountain Pen

The MONTBLANC Greta Garbo Special Edition Fountain Pen is perhaps the most alluring ladies pen of modern times, a seductive fountain pen in lustrous black and ivory precious resin. The pen's chic profile, which curves slightly inwards, suggests a cigarette holder, that bygone emblem of elegance. The legendary Montblanc star is a prominent feature on a flattened cap top, while an Akoya white pearl adorns the pocket clip. The cap ring bear’s Greta Garbo´s engraved signature as a reference to the legendary eponym. Pen is fitted with individual design of handmade rhodium plated 18-carat gold nib.

This pre-owned stylish writing instrument is currently available to purchase from Hepworth Dixon, it is supplied with outer box, display box, booklet and recent Montblanc service history.

Visit Hepworth Dixon website to view a wide selection of restored vintage fountain pens and fully serviced, pre-owned classic and contemporary fountain pens.

Nero Uno Fountain Pen by Montegrappa

Montegrappa, the maker of gold nibs and fountain pens for sophisticated Italian scribes, was founded in 1912 within sight of the river Brenta in Bassano del Grappa, an ancient town in the heart of the prosperous northeastern region of Italy. This northeastern part of Italy offered a premium pen maker exactly the workforce needed to produce the ultimate Italian writing instrument.

Montegrappa quickly became famous for products with a perfect blend of tasteful design and superb craftsmanship, which are still hallmarks of the brand today. Still made in the original factory, these are pens that are created and crafted, not produced.

Montegrappa was acquired in 2000 by the Richemont Group, one of the world leaders in luxury goods, brands which include Montblanc, Cartier and Dunhill. Montegrappa is still known for its painstaking production and superb craftsmanship as well as for the style and design of its products that possess the essence and tradition of Italy.

The style of one hundred years of craftsmanship and the soul of an entire country came together in the design of Montegrappa Nero Uno. The elegance of Nero Uno, translated black one, lies in its minimalist simplicity, while the details echo the typical features of Montegrappa in a modern key. Nero Uno is crafted from solid gleaming black resin with platinum trim. The clip with a small rotating sphere and the typical octagonal shape emphasised by the original cap top and combined with innovative design of an 18K gold nib.

Montegrappa Nero Uno Fountain Pen

This handsome silver on black effect Nero Uno Fountain Pen has a clean geometric look, with it’s octagonal shape that defines the classic Montegrappa design, although narrowing, in this latest interpretation, to a more rounded section. The black resin barrel contrasts with the 1912 silver disk on the end of the barrel, and a silver-colored band connects it to the section. Chased around the top of the cap is the Montegrappa logo in flowing script, and the sturdy silver clip has the rotating sphere at its tip, as expected in these highly sought-after pens, but modified for this updated line. Even the 18 carat gold nib, in a versatile medium width, has a sleek, new look, but still sports the Montegrappa monogram. If anyone is looking for a fine writing instrument in basic black, but with anything but a basic ambiance, a purchase of this fine pen will be just the answer.

 Specifications:

•   Overall Size - 5 11/16 in. x 9/16 in. (145mm x 14mm)

•   Body - 5 5/16 in. x 1/2 in. (135mm x 13mm)

•   Cap - 2 1/2 in. x 9/16 in. (63mm x 14mm)

•   Weight - 30 g

•   Composition - Black resin body and cap

•   Appointments - Platinum

•   Nib - 18k gold

•   Filling System - Ink converter (included)

NeroUno is also available in rollerball pen, ballpoint pen and mechanical pencil versions.