Sign In
 Go Back   Auction Catalogue 

lot 14

lot 14

Montblanc

Friedrich II FP

MODEL: Patron of Art Series
CAP & BARREL: Black resin and gold-plated 925 sterling silver
NIB/TIP: 18K gold medium nib
CONDITION: Unused

Winning Bid: $ 2,000

Estimate: US$ 2,000 - 3,000

Lot Closed

Lot Details

SIGNED: Montblanc star on finial
PEN TYPE: Fountain Pen
LIMITED EDITION: 1297 of 4810
BOX: Fitted presentation box and outer packaging
PAPERS: International Reply Card, Product manual, Service Guidelines

Please note this lot is the property of a private individual.

Just as extraordinary as this Prussian king is the Patron of Art Edition Friedrich II the Great made in his honor. The gold-platted barrel of Edition 4810 is decorated by two rings embellished with a pattern of curves. These, like the elegant clip, are also gold-plated with 18-carat gold nib carrying an engraving of the royal monogram of “Fredericus Rex” as a tribute to the monarch from whom the pen takes its name. An ingenious mechanism enables the pen to be screwed back into the barrel to protect it.

Friedrich II the Great went down in history as a military commander and a humanitarian philosopher. He is a celebrated historical figure, not only because he saw himself as the “first servant of the people”, and because of his Prussian discipline, but also because under his rule art and culture underwent a revival. Sanssouci Palace became a centre of attraction for intellectuals, artists and writers from all over Europe. Charlottenburg Palace has him to thank for a new rococo wing, while he also gave Berlin its Opera House, its old library and the Catholic church of St. Hedwig.

Montblanc

Montblanc International is a German manufacturing company of luxury goods, based in Hamburg. Founded in 1906 by the German engineer August Eberstein, Montblanc was originally a manufacturer of high-end writing instruments, although it's now equally well known for other luxury items. Named, "Montblanc" in 1910, the company would open a store in Hamburg nine years later dedicated to his new lines of wares.

During the mid-1990s, Montblanc's product portfolio rapidly expanded. In addition to fine writing implements, Montblanc now also produced and sold leather goods such as handbags and belts, as well as necklaces, rings, cufflinks, and other fine jewelry. Sunglasses and perfume were quickly added to the roster too, and, since 1997, wristwatches.

Even though Montblanc has only been making timepieces for a comparatively short time, their watches are masterpieces of traditional watchmaking, successfully demonstrating fine craftsmanship combined with a spirit of technical innovation. Every year the company produces around 70,000 watches, from their two factories in Le Locle and Villeret based in Switzerland.

The company was acquired by Alfred Dunhill Ltd. in 1977 but is now part of the Swiss Richemont Group.