| Montblanc International is now the company behind | | | | instead. |
| the infamous Mont Blanc Pens, but in the beginning | | | | Right now, Montblanc is a part of the Richemont |
| the name was Simplo Filler Pen company. This | | | | group. Fellow companies you've probably heard of: |
| company was first begun in 1906 with a partnership | | | | Van Cleef, Cartier, and other luxury brands. Montblanc |
| of three men: Claus-Johannes Voss, August | | | | is the primary manufacturer behind all Cartier pens as |
| Eberstein, and Alfred Nehemias. | | | | well. |
| The very first flagship model was known as the | | | | Montblanc is well known for its celebrity |
| Rouge Et Noir in 1909. The very next year they | | | | endorsements, which includes the likes of Johnny |
| would create the very first Mont Blanc pen. The | | | | Depp, Nicholas Cage, and Julianne Moore. |
| company soon trademarked the name "Montblanc" | | | | With this big focus on marketing from Montblanc, |
| and thereafter all pens created by the company | | | | there has been some backlash among collectors, |
| were released under this name. | | | | however. Recent polls show that many collectors feel |
| In 1913 one of the most famous pens was released, | | | | Montblanc has become too marketing oriented, and |
| what collectors refer to as the "snowflake". The | | | | the overall quality of the brand has diminished. Only |
| Montblanc star become a brand hero, and was one | | | | 5% of collectors felt that the brand actually improved |
| of the pens to launch the company into infamy. | | | | quality, while a mere 19% felt that they had |
| Unfortunately, problems arose quickly for the | | | | maintained it. |
| company. One of its founders, August Eberstein fled | | | | The coming years I expect Montblanc will have a |
| to the USA to dodge authorities for stealing from the | | | | challenge on their hands of pleasing their collector |
| companies coffers. But this didn't stop the success of | | | | base while still appealing to the overall profitability of |
| the company. | | | | the company. |
| The little company originally started in Hamburg, | | | | Over the years Montblanc has released limited edition |
| Germany soon expanded. In 1934, following the wild | | | | masterpieces which have made pen collectors |
| success of their Mont Blanc pen, they changed their | | | | worldwide go crazy. A few of the most notable |
| name to Montblanc-Simplo. In 1977 Dunhill bought out | | | | editions you can find include the 100 Year |
| Montblanc. They made a bold moved and stopped | | | | Anniversary Boheme Collection, Greta Garbo Special |
| offering lower priced pens while simultaneously using | | | | Edition, and Virginia Woolf Limited Edition. |
| the brand on a wider range of luxury products | | | | |