For this year’s Great Characters edition, Montblanc revisited the famous novel of F. Scott Fitzgerald “The Great Gatsby” bringing to life the fascinating story of the central character. Judging by the way Jay Gatsby was portrayed in the novel, a young and mysterious billionaire with a luxurious lifestyle, synonymous with Montblanc’s tradition of elegant and timeless style, it’s no wonder why the Creative Director chose him to be the inspiration for this collection.
The collection consists of five individual editions, all centered around different aspects of the character’s life, with certain design elements recurring in each edition. There are specific elements found on every pen, like the crest bearing the initials of Jay Gatsby (decorating the cap) or the clip taking the shape of a money clip (a reference to the meaning of wealth and success as a measure of the American dream). Other elements are meant to indicate the period, such as the cone resembling the cap of a hip flask, a symbol of the Prohibition era. Now let’s dive into each edition!
Montblanc Great Characters Homage To The Great Gatsby Special Edition
The special edition depicts the New York City of the ’20s, the capital of the American dream where anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work. The shape of this edition draws inspiration from the Art Deco skyscrapers, but there is a particular detail I like in this edition – the pattern on the barrel and the deep blue color come together to recreate the view of a scintillating skyscraper at night in the city that never sleeps. This unique pattern also marks the first time Montblanc is using a special technique of combining precious resin and lacquer.
The American dream is once again highlighted through the red and blue rings standing for the US flag, while the luminosity of the fluorescent Montblanc emblem that decorates the edition refers to the green light permanently lit at the end of Daisy’s dock, representing Gatsby’s enduring love for her and his unrelenting dream of success. The 14k gold nib is engraved with the front view of Jay Gatsby’s famous yellow car, a symbol of the character’s extravagant lifestyle as well as the high social position he seeks to maintain.
Montblanc Great Characters Homage To The Great Gatsby Limited Edition 1925
Limited to only 1925 pieces worldwide, the second edition in the collection is a tribute to the original publishing year of the novel and describes the story of the ambitious self-made Gatsby who achieved his own “American Dream” through hard work, determination and a little bit of luck. The pattern on the cap is a reference to the classic pinstripe suit, an outfit that was considered a status symbol in the higher class of society back in the days, while the yellow gold-coated fittings stand for the color yellow, the most common color in the novel and a symbol of money and materialism. A recurring detail os the gold-coated plaque on the cap bearing Jay Gatsby’s initials.
A symbol of wealth and pure elegance, a mother-of-pearl Montblanc emblem is set in black lacquer atop the edition, while a synthetic green stone inlay in the cone is used as a reference to the green light at the end of Daisy’s pier, symbolizing Gatsby’s love for her and his high ambitions. Jay Gatsby’s famous yellow car is, this time, depicted on an 18k gold nib.
Montblanc Great Characters Homage To The Great Gatsby Limited Edition 100
The LE 100 edition heralds extravagance, built on a lacquer translucent chassis with a contrasting solid Au 750 yellow gold skeleton overlay, it speaks an Art Deco language associated with the Gatsby era. The number 100 wasn’t chosen at random, as it marks the upcoming 100th anniversary of the novel’s publication and alludes to the highest-denomination dollar note in circulation at the time.
The skeleton overlay is adorned with precious stones such as a green tsavorite, standing for the green light of hope at the end of Daisy’s pier, while the cone made in solid Au 750 yellow gold, resembling the hip flasks of the 1920s, is decorated with green malachite cabochon. Unlike the previous editions, the decorative plaque on the side of the cap displaying Jay Gatsby’s initials is adorned with brilliant-cut diamonds, while the emblem in mother-of-pearl is surrounded by black onyx. Montblanc really knows how to play with exquisite materials! The gold nib is embellished with a classic design in the style of the Art Deco era.
Montblanc Great Characters Homage To The Great Gatsby Limited Edition 30
As one of the key motifs associated with the color green, Hope inspired the limited edition no. 30, whose construction features a skeleton overlay made from PT950 Platinum set with precious stones such as princess-cut diamond and a translucent underlay crafted from green lacquer. The use of platinum on the overlay and the writing instrument’s fittings is a reference to the significant role the precious metal played in luxurious Art Deco style.
Montblanc’s fascination for detail and storytelling knows no bounds – the brand has incorporated into the cone of this edition a detail of an original United States Peace Dollar minted between 1921 and 1935, its date reflecting the period of the novel and commemorating the peace after the First World War. The Montblanc emblem on the top of the writing instrument is crafted of a green tsavorite pavé, as another recurring detail, a nod to Gatsby’s eternal hope and his love for Daisy.
The edition is limited to 30 pieces, the limitation number referring to the several mentions of this number in the novel including Nick Carraway, the reader’s trusted guide through the opulent world of East and West Egg, who turns 30 in the novel.
Montblanc Great Characters Homage To The Great Gatsby Limited Edition 8
Last but not least, the LE 8, which is by far the most impressive one, whose design captures the opulence and extravagance of a glittering high-society party in the Roaring Twenties – bold colors, fireworks, bubbling champagne and a dancing couple: Gatsby with his beloved Daisy, portrayed on the writing instrument in an intricate hand-engraving. For this edition, both for nib, cap, and barrel, Montblanc used a hand-applied black and red lacquer coating intertwined with mosaic-like mother-of-pearl inlays, a reference to the ancient Japanese art form “Maki-e“, a technique popular in the Art Deco period.
As a tribute to the diamonds – a key element in the novel – the plaque on the cap with Jay Gatsby’s initials is crafted from solid Au 750 yellow gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds in a pavé setting. Even the Monblanc emblem has its own shine, it sits atop a black jade surface and is crafted of a singular diamond with a solid Au 750 yellow gold outline. The motif of the green light is presented on the nib through a single tsavorite, symbolizing the permanently lit green lamp at the end of Daisy’s pier that stands for Gatsby’s unwavering desire to win Daisy’s heart.
The last edition is limited to only 8 pieces, a number often associated with hope and luck.
The new collection is a fantastic tribute to one of the most fascinating characters in literature, and we’re sure it has gained massive success among collectors since it was launched. You can find it available at various authorized retailers, including Montblanc flagship stores.
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