Montblanc, Artisan, One Foundation Skeleton 30

To start, we wanted to take a look at Lot 195, the One Foundation Skeleton 30 limited edition fountain pen from the Montblanc Artisan series; a pen, which as far as we can ascertain, has never been offered before at auction. The Artisan collection is characterised by the elaborate construction and the use of the finest materials in each of its designs. The cap and barrel of the One Foundation model is finished with a 18 carat white gold skeleton lattice and a brilliant cut diamond number 1, as well as brilliant cut diamond bands.

Founded in 2007 by the Chinese-American martial arts actor Jet Li, the One Foundation is a Chinese philanthropic NGO, and is the first private charitable fundraising institution in China. The One Foundation focuses on disaster relief as well as physical and metal health, education and the environment.

Jet Li is a world famous martial artist and film actor, who has appeared in both Chinese and East Asian films as well as Hollywood blockbusters including Lethal Weapon 4, Kiss Of The Dragon and The Expendables. In 2006 he became an ambassador for the Red Cross Society of China donating proceeds of his films to mental health projects in China. Through the One Foundation Jet Li has promoted his philosophy of mankind as one family.

Montblanc, The Fortune Number Skeleton 88

We then have Lot 207, the Fortune Number Skeleton 88 limited edition fountain pen. The Fortune 88 pays tribute to the number 8, one of the luckiest numbers in Middle Eastern and Asian traditions. In the Chinese tradition the number 8 symbolises wealth, prosperity and fortune. In Hinduism, many of the gods have eight forms, including the eight forms of the goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, who grants eight different kinds of wealth. In Buddhism the number 8 is associated with good luck as portrayed in the eight petals of the lotus flower. In Islam the number 8 signifies God's mercy in the eight paradises. As such, the number 8 is cleverly utilised in the design, with the rose gold cap and barrel featuring skeleton lattice work formed from interlocking number 8s. The nib is also engraved with a Yin-Yang symbol, to reflect the Chinese symbolism behind the design.

Montblanc, America's Signatures for Freedom, Thomas Jefferson, 50

Launched in 2007 by Montblanc, the America's Signatures For Freedom Series honours the lives of American Presidents and their commitment to preserve and defend the American Constitution. The pens in the series were issued in limited numbers of 50 pieces each, in reference to the 50 States of America. The first four pens commemorate the lives of the Founding Fathers of the United States, and its first four Presidents: George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. 

From this series, we are pleased to be offering Lot 208, the Thomas Jefferson limited edition fountain pen. It is made using 18 carat white gold, inset with petrified wood - a nod to Jefferson's commitment to nature - and set with a mandarin garnet. The clip is then engraved with a portrait of Thomas Jefferson, and the nib is engraved with 13 stars to represent the original 13 colonies.

Montblanc, Georges Pompidou Skeleton 77

Also from the Artisan series, we have Lot 178, the Georges Pompidou limited edition fountain pen. French politician Georges Pompidou was Prime Minister of France from 1962 to 1969, and then President from 1969 until his death in 1974.

Alongside President Charles de Gaule, Pompidou oversaw industrial, social and cultural reforms which aimed to modernise post-war France, and in particular the modernisation of Paris. In 1969, he developed existing ideas for a new library in Beaubourg, and commissioned the British architect Richard Rogers to design the radical building that would become the Centre Pompidou. It now houses an enormous public library; a music and acoustic research institute; and the Musée National d'Art Moderne, the largest modern art gallery in Europe, exhibiting major works by artists such as Miró, Matisse and Picasso.

The fountain pen is designed in 18 carat white gold in homage to the Centre Pompidou in Paris, reflecting the innovative architecture of this glass and metal building, designed to resemble a heart fed by arteries. It is then finished with brilliant cut diamond accents, with the clip set with a sapphire, and the nib engraved with a portrait of Georges Pompidou.

Montblanc, Teatro alla Scala 78

In 2004 Montblanc created the Teatro alla Scala Limited Edition to celebrate it's re-opening after three years of restoration. Originally opened in 1778, it has been at the forefront of Italian opera. Many of the finest opera singers appeared there, and it has hosted premieres of works by major composers including Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi, Puccini, Poulenc and Stockhausen. We are pleased to be offering this limited edition fountain pen in our forthcoming auction (Lot 149). 

The exterior design of this pen features 18 carat gold, inset with black resin and a red lacquer cross, representing the columns and balconies of the opera house. The nib is then finished with a portrait of Italian composer, Antonio Salieri.

Montblanc, Hommage À Max Reinhardt 30

The avant garde and Expressionist stage and film director Max Reinhardt (1873-1943) started the annual summer Salzburg Festival with composer Richard Strauss and dramatist Hugo von Hofmannstall in 1920. A particular directorial favourite of Reinhardt was Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', which he first staged at Salzburg in 1927. In 1935 it became his first American film. He founded theatres and drama schools in Austria and Germany in the early 20th century, and later opened the Reinhardt School of Theatre in Hollywood.

In 2002 Montblanc became the exclusive sponsor of the Young Directors Project at the Salzburg Festival. Since 2003, Montblanc have made annual limited Editions of 'Hommage À Max Reinhardt' fountain pens each year, in small numbers of 20 or 30. The pens were sold during the Salzburg Festival at the Montblanc boutique in Alter Markt, Salzburg, with profits helping to fund the Young Directors Project. The winning ensemble of the Young Directors Project were also given one of the limited edition Max Reinhardt pens.

In the auction, we are pleased to be offering one of these limited edition fountain pens, made in 2007 (Lot 180). It is beautifully made with carved rock crystal panels and depicts Oberon, Titania and elves from Reinhard's interpretation of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The nib is then engraved with the Hohensalzburg fortress in Salzburg.

Montblanc, Miyamoto Musashi 77

One of the greatest Samurai swordsmen, Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645) developed a style of two handed swordsmanship that is still used in martial arts today. As a Samurai warrior he also mastered the arts of the tea ceremony, calligraphy and ink painting, for which he was equally accomplished. Towards the end of his life he became a hermit, and wrote his seminal work 'Go Run No Sho' (The Book Of Five Rings), which was his philosophy on swordsmanship with is basis in Buddhist principles. In tribute to Musashi, Montblanc designed a limited edition fountain pen in 2007 (Lot 179). The pen features black lacquer, engraved with five Kanji characters in tribute to the 'Go Rin No Sho' (Book of Five Rings). The cap is then set with five bands brilliant cut diamonds and the nib is engraved with two crossed Samurai Kanji.

Montblanc, John Harrison Skeleton 333

Dating from circa 2002, we have Lot 130, the John Harrison limited edition fountain pen. Between 1730 and 1760 carpenter and clockmaker John Harrison developed several clock designs with the aim of calculating longitude whilst at sea, thereby making navigation safer and more accurate. It was the development of his H4 'sea watch' in 1761 that earned him the title of 'inventor of the marine chronometer'. Sea trials of Harrison's watch during the 1760s showed how precise calculations of longitude could be achieved. Montblanc designed this pen to incorporate a map of the world on a grid, to reflect Harrison's achievements. The nib then features a portrait of John Harrison.

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Auction Details

Thursday 26 September, 10.30am BST
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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VIEWING:

• Viewing in Newbury (full sale):
  • Friday 20 September: 10am-4pm
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  • Tuesday 24 September: 10am-4pm
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• Remote Viewing Service | Available from Friday 20 September