Author Archives: kuncoro

Le Petit Prince #4 — Montblanc

Today we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the first publication of The Little Prince. On April 6, 1943, the first edition of the book was published in the United States, featuring illustrations created by the author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The book tells the story of a young prince who travels from one planet to another, encountering various characters and learning profound life lessons along the way.

The Little Prince was met with immediate critical acclaim and gained a dedicated readership. Despite being initially published in wartime, it managed to capture the hearts of readers around the world with its enchanting storytelling and philosophical themes. It is important to note that the first publication of The Little Prince was in English, not in its original French language. The French edition followed later, published posthumously in 1946.

Since its publication, “The Little Prince” has become one of the most translated and best-selling books in the world, captivating readers of all ages with its poignant exploration of human nature, love, friendship, and the beauty of the imagination. It continues to be celebrated as a literary masterpiece and a cherished work of art.

The mesmerising nib with the rose

For the celebration, I display here a Montblanc Le Petit Prince series that I haven’t previously displayed. It is a special edition! The nib, made from Au750 (18K gold), is delicately engraved with the image of a rose. The rose holds significant symbolism in The Little Prince as it represents the bond between the Prince and his beloved rose. In the story, the rose is a delicate and special flower that teaches the Prince important lessons about love, responsibility, and the complexities of relationships. The rose engraving on the nib of this pen captures this iconic symbol, adding a touch of elegance and meaning to the writing instrument.

Writing with MB LPP Burgundy edition
The starry cap

Le Petit Prince #4 — Montblanc

Today we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the first publication of The Little Prince. On April 6, 1943, the first edition of the book was published in the United States, featuring illustrations created by the author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The book tells the story of a young prince who travels from one planet to another, encountering various characters and learning profound life lessons along the way.

The Little Prince was met with immediate critical acclaim and gained a dedicated readership. Despite being initially published in wartime, it managed to capture the hearts of readers around the world with its enchanting storytelling and philosophical themes. It is important to note that the first publication of The Little Prince was in English, not in its original French language. The French edition followed later, published posthumously in 1946.

Since its publication, “The Little Prince” has become one of the most translated and best-selling books in the world, captivating readers of all ages with its poignant exploration of human nature, love, friendship, and the beauty of the imagination. It continues to be celebrated as a literary masterpiece and a cherished work of art.

The mesmerising nib with the rose

For the celebration, I display here a Montblanc Le Petit Prince series that I haven’t previously displayed. It is a special edition! The nib, made from Au750 (18K gold), is delicately engraved with the image of a rose. The rose holds significant symbolism in The Little Prince as it represents the bond between the Prince and his beloved rose. In the story, the rose is a delicate and special flower that teaches the Prince important lessons about love, responsibility, and the complexities of relationships. The rose engraving on the nib of this pen captures this iconic symbol, adding a touch of elegance and meaning to the writing instrument.

Writing with MB LPP Burgundy edition
The starry cap

Meisterstück 149 Curved Nib

Happy handwriting day. Today I’d like to share another special pen: another Meisterstück Calligraphy 149 pen from Montblanc, but now with a specially-designed curved nib. Its hand-crafted nib is not a flex nib, but an innovative curved nib allowing the user to draw a variety of writing styles and line widths, depending on the angle and the orientation at which the pen is held.

Using this pen, we can draw wide horizontal lines, thin vertical lines, and even fine lines. For the last style, we need to turn the nib upside down.

The nib is unlike any bent or fude nib, but I was tempted to use it to write some kanji and katakana character, and I found the result is better than many other pen I previously have. I would not display the result here, since I’m not a real master in writing kanji character.

Meisterstück 149 Curved Nib

Happy handwriting day. Today I’d like to share another special pen: another Meisterstück Calligraphy 149 pen from Montblanc, but now with a specially-designed curved nib. Its hand-crafted nib is not a flex nib, but an innovative curved nib allowing the user to draw a variety of writing styles and line widths, depending on the angle and the orientation at which the pen is held.

Using this pen, we can draw wide horizontal lines, thin vertical lines, and even fine lines. For the last style, we need to turn the nib upside down.

The nib is unlike any bent or fude nib, but I was tempted to use it to write some kanji and katakana character, and I found the result is better than many other pen I previously have. I would not display the result here, since I’m not a real master in writing kanji character.

Otto Hutt Design 04

Otto Hutt Design 04 is a notable and highly regarded series of writing instruments by the German manufacturer Otto Hutt. Introduced in 1999, Design 04 has become synonymous with the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship, innovative design, and luxurious aesthetics.

Otto Hutt is a German manufacturer known for producing high-quality writing instruments, including fountain pens. The company was founded in 1920 by Karl Hutt in Pforzheim, Germany. Initially, the company focused on creating jewelry and accessories, including gold and silver pens. During the 1950s, Otto Hutt expanded its production to include more affordable writing instruments while maintaining its dedication to quality. The company incorporated advancements in pen technology and materials, such as the use of new plastics and metals, to cater to a wider market. In the 1990s, Otto Hutt underwent a significant transformation under the leadership of Dr. Christa Hutt, the granddaughter of the founder. Driven by a vision of combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics, she revitalised the brand’s focus on luxury pens. This led to the introduction of the “Design 04” series in 1999, which gained widespread acclaim for its sleek and innovative design.

The Design 04 series is characterised by its sleek and modern design, combining clean lines with sophisticated details. It uses premium materials — the collection includes options crafted from precious metals, such as sterling silver and gold, as well as high-quality lacquers and resins. These materials not only enhance the pen’s aesthetic appeal but also contribute to its durability and longevity. The Design 04 pens are available in a range of finishes, allowing users to select a style that suits their personal preferences. Some of the finishes include precious metals with polished or brushed textures, vibrant lacquers in various colors, and elegant combinations of materials. The finishes are meticulously applied to ensure a flawless and visually captivating appearance.

The Design 04 series offers a selection of finely crafted nibs, designed to deliver an exceptional writing experience. The nibs are available in different materials, such Au750 (18k gold) shown here, and in various widths to cater to individual writing preferences. Each nib is carefully tuned to provide smooth and consistent ink flow, resulting in effortless and enjoyable writing.

Otto Hutt is known for its attention to detail, and the Design 04 series exemplifies this commitment. From the precision-engineered threads to the meticulously finished clips and accents, every aspect of the pen is thoughtfully designed and executed.

Otto Hutt Design 04

Otto Hutt Design 04 is a notable and highly regarded series of writing instruments by the German manufacturer Otto Hutt. Introduced in 1999, Design 04 has become synonymous with the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship, innovative design, and luxurious aesthetics.

Otto Hutt is a German manufacturer known for producing high-quality writing instruments, including fountain pens. The company was founded in 1920 by Karl Hutt in Pforzheim, Germany. Initially, the company focused on creating jewelry and accessories, including gold and silver pens. During the 1950s, Otto Hutt expanded its production to include more affordable writing instruments while maintaining its dedication to quality. The company incorporated advancements in pen technology and materials, such as the use of new plastics and metals, to cater to a wider market. In the 1990s, Otto Hutt underwent a significant transformation under the leadership of Dr. Christa Hutt, the granddaughter of the founder. Driven by a vision of combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics, she revitalised the brand’s focus on luxury pens. This led to the introduction of the “Design 04” series in 1999, which gained widespread acclaim for its sleek and innovative design.

The Design 04 series is characterised by its sleek and modern design, combining clean lines with sophisticated details. It uses premium materials — the collection includes options crafted from precious metals, such as sterling silver and gold, as well as high-quality lacquers and resins. These materials not only enhance the pen’s aesthetic appeal but also contribute to its durability and longevity. The Design 04 pens are available in a range of finishes, allowing users to select a style that suits their personal preferences. Some of the finishes include precious metals with polished or brushed textures, vibrant lacquers in various colors, and elegant combinations of materials. The finishes are meticulously applied to ensure a flawless and visually captivating appearance.

The Design 04 series offers a selection of finely crafted nibs, designed to deliver an exceptional writing experience. The nibs are available in different materials, such Au750 (18k gold) shown here, and in various widths to cater to individual writing preferences. Each nib is carefully tuned to provide smooth and consistent ink flow, resulting in effortless and enjoyable writing.

Otto Hutt is known for its attention to detail, and the Design 04 series exemplifies this commitment. From the precision-engineered threads to the meticulously finished clips and accents, every aspect of the pen is thoughtfully designed and executed.

Pelikan Souverän M1000

For the International Handwriting Day today I will display Pelikan M1000 as one of the best pens I have (considering, though, that almost all my pens are the best pens). This pen is the top member of the Pelikan Souverän family. This family consists of the M3xx, M4xx, M6xx, M8xx, and M10xx — with the higher numbers before xx are related to the increase in size. So this Souverän M1000 is also the flagship pen of Pelikan.


This pen has a gigantic nib made of Au750 — and it is virtually a perfect 18C gold that it writes so smoothly with the effect of a flexible nib. We can compare it with the magnificent Montblanc Meisterstück 149 with flex nib. Both have an Au750 nib. But not all 149 nibs are designed as flex nib — only those that are advertised so. So both writes excellently well for flexible nib effect. But then when we use them for simple signature, M1000 can simply transform to a cool signature pen, whle 149 flex would lose its magic without its flex effect. It means, to replace an M1000, I’d need a 149 with flex nib and another 149 without flex nib. But surely others may have different experiences.


M1000 has some alternative designs. But for the sake of why not and mwahahahahaha I have chosen a perfect black M1000 with golden cap and ring. Now I have more collection for my gold banded black pen. The barrel and the cap of the pen are made of cotton resin. The cap features a 24k gold-plated finial with a laser-etched relief logo of a pelican and its chick. This pen has an 18k gold bib.

Pelikan’s nib is so breathtaking. It has a unique design: a long and slender nib, with narrower shoulders and a shallower curvature. The face of the bi-color nib is stamped with a series of intersecting, graceful, swooping curves. The Pelikan logo is stamped in the middle of the nib face.

Some dimensions:

  • Length (capped): 145.6mm
  • Length (uncapped): 135.1mm
  • Length (posted): 173.6mm
  • Section diameter: 12.1mm
  • Barrel max diameter: 13.8mm
  • Cap max diameter: 16mm
  • Weight, uncapped (with ink and/or converter): 25g
  • Weight, capped (with ink and/or converter): 35g

Writing using M1000 giving a wet effect of the ink — a favourite for a calligrapher. But, no, it is very wet — but somehow I like it. The big nib is springy, allowing to make line variation as we wish. Again, it is a favourite for a calligrapher.

Pelikan is a 190 year old manufacturer of stationeries. It launched its first fountain pen in 1929. Pelikan is also credited as the pioneer of piston filling mechanism with a differential spindle gear aims to overcome the ink capacity issue in fountain pens. Hungarian engineer Theodor Kovacs is credited with the invention of the original filling mechanism before selling off the patent to Günther Wagner in 1927.

Yes, another Wagner. I know.

Pelikan Souverän M1000

For the International Handwriting Day today I will display Pelikan M1000 as one of the best pens I have (considering, though, that almost all my pens are the best pens). This pen is the top member of the Pelikan Souverän family. This family consists of the M3xx, M4xx, M6xx, M8xx, and M10xx — with the higher numbers before xx are related to the increase in size. So this Souverän M1000 is also the flagship pen of Pelikan.


This pen has a gigantic nib made of Au750 — and it is virtually a perfect 18C gold that it writes so smoothly with the effect of a flexible nib. We can compare it with the magnificent Montblanc Meisterstück 149 with flex nib. Both have an Au750 nib. But not all 149 nibs are designed as flex nib — only those that are advertised so. So both writes excellently well for flexible nib effect. But then when we use them for simple signature, M1000 can simply transform to a cool signature pen, whle 149 flex would lose its magic without its flex effect. It means, to replace an M1000, I’d need a 149 with flex nib and another 149 without flex nib. But surely others may have different experiences.


M1000 has some alternative designs. But for the sake of why not and mwahahahahaha I have chosen a perfect black M1000 with golden cap and ring. Now I have more collection for my gold banded black pen. The barrel and the cap of the pen are made of cotton resin. The cap features a 24k gold-plated finial with a laser-etched relief logo of a pelican and its chick. This pen has an 18k gold bib.

Pelikan’s nib is so breathtaking. It has a unique design: a long and slender nib, with narrower shoulders and a shallower curvature. The face of the bi-color nib is stamped with a series of intersecting, graceful, swooping curves. The Pelikan logo is stamped in the middle of the nib face.

Some dimensions:

  • Length (capped): 145.6mm
  • Length (uncapped): 135.1mm
  • Length (posted): 173.6mm
  • Section diameter: 12.1mm
  • Barrel max diameter: 13.8mm
  • Cap max diameter: 16mm
  • Weight, uncapped (with ink and/or converter): 25g
  • Weight, capped (with ink and/or converter): 35g

Writing using M1000 giving a wet effect of the ink — a favourite for a calligrapher. But, no, it is very wet — but somehow I like it. The big nib is springy, allowing to make line variation as we wish. Again, it is a favourite for a calligrapher.

Pelikan is a 190 year old manufacturer of stationeries. It launched its first fountain pen in 1929. Pelikan is also credited as the pioneer of piston filling mechanism with a differential spindle gear aims to overcome the ink capacity issue in fountain pens. Hungarian engineer Theodor Kovacs is credited with the invention of the original filling mechanism before selling off the patent to Günther Wagner in 1927.

Yes, another Wagner. I know.

Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Montblanc

Rhapsody in Blue — a composition I used to wake myself up for years. As if understanding how hard it is to start a day, it starts with a slow and random clarinet melodies. But then it raises to an orchestra with dynamic harmonies to absorb the spirit with no stop to our soul. And that is how life used to begin for years.

Its composer, George Gershwin (September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937), was an American composer and pianist whose compositions spanned both popular and classical genres. Besides Rhapsody in Blue, his best-known works are an orchestral work An American in Paris (1928), the jazz standard I Got Rhythm (1930), and the opera Porgy and Bess (1935) which gave birth to the hit Summertime.

Montblanc has an annual tradition to launch donation pen collection for honouring world-famous classical musicians. This program supports selected cultural projects from pioneering artists the world over with a donation of 20 euros per fountain pen (and 10 euros per ballpoint or rollerball). The edition of 2019 paid the tribute to George Gershwin.

The design of Gershwin fountain pen is quite distinctive — easily recognised. The clip is in the shape of a clarinet — a tribute to the clarinet opening from Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Another tribute to Rhapsody in Blue is the ink window which features a blue colour. The cap ring is inspired by the Brooklyn Bridge to symbolise the close relationship George Gershwin had with his place of birth. The cap and barrel are made out of black resin combined with platinum-coated fittings. The length of the pen with the cap is 15.6 cm, and the total weight is 89.84 grams.

Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Montblanc

Rhapsody in Blue — a composition I used to wake myself up for years. As if understanding how hard it is to start a day, it starts with a slow and random clarinet melodies. But then it raises to an orchestra with dynamic harmonies to absorb the spirit with no stop to our soul. And that is how life used to begin for years.

Its composer, George Gershwin (September 26, 1898 – July 11, 1937), was an American composer and pianist whose compositions spanned both popular and classical genres. Besides Rhapsody in Blue, his best-known works are an orchestral work An American in Paris (1928), the jazz standard I Got Rhythm (1930), and the opera Porgy and Bess (1935) which gave birth to the hit Summertime.

Montblanc has an annual tradition to launch donation pen collection for honouring world-famous classical musicians. This program supports selected cultural projects from pioneering artists the world over with a donation of 20 euros per fountain pen (and 10 euros per ballpoint or rollerball). The edition of 2019 paid the tribute to George Gershwin.

The design of Gershwin fountain pen is quite distinctive — easily recognised. The clip is in the shape of a clarinet — a tribute to the clarinet opening from Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Another tribute to Rhapsody in Blue is the ink window which features a blue colour. The cap ring is inspired by the Brooklyn Bridge to symbolise the close relationship George Gershwin had with his place of birth. The cap and barrel are made out of black resin combined with platinum-coated fittings. The length of the pen with the cap is 15.6 cm, and the total weight is 89.84 grams.