Friday, February 13, 2009

Montblanc "Yes We Can" pen

A press release announces Montblanc's "Yes We Can" Meisterstück 149 fountain pen. Ugh:

The finest brushstroke of a fountain pen has led to the foundation of our great nation, legacies of great leaders, and has ultimately led to many new chapters in our country's great history. Having been present when historical signatures were needed by royalty and heads of state, Montblanc's Meisterstuck [sic] 149 fountain pen has played a role in this historic journey.
Well, maybe kinda sorta. The fountain pen is a 19th-century invention. The Declaration of Independence was written with a quill. American presidents have traditionally used American-made pens, and I know of no evidence of an American president using a Meisterstück 149. Note that the press release implies such use without claiming it: what "heads of state" are we speaking of? Montblanc's marketing ploy is a bit too much like Moleskine's effort to associate its notebooks with Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso.

Presidential pens have been the stuff of some dedicated sleuthing. Barack Obama has been signing with Cross Townsends, as anyone who's been watching the news (and who knows pens) has seen.

Elaine posted yesterday on another effort to cash in: 'Tis the Gift to Be for Sale?

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