Samuel Langhorne Clemens, who achieved worldwide renown as a writer under the pseudonym of Mark Twain, was born in Missouri in 1835. He left school at 11 years old and in 1857, he had himself trained as a steersman. For several years piloted a Mississippi steamboat. It is from this period that his literary pseudonym emerged: the cry of *Mark Twain* signalled a navigable depth of Two Fathoms. In his literary works, Twain recalled the defining period of his life spent as a steersman on the Mississippi. The design of the writing instrument is also inspired by the river that had a lasting influence on Twain and his work.
The sinuous curving lines on cap and barrel, made of deep-blue precious resin, reflect the shallow waves of the river. The top of the cap is shaped to resemble the Mississippi steamboat chimneys, whose steam is illustrated by ivory-coloured precious resin. The clip is formed by a stylized jew*s harp (a small musical instrument which is held against the teeth or lips, and plucked with the fingers, that was popular in the Southern states during this era). Platinum-plated mountings and the ivory-coloured Montblanc emblem complete the distinctive character of the writing instrument. The crowning features of this unique Limited Edition are Twain*s signature and the number of the pen on the cap ring, and the two fathoms engraved on the rhodium-plated 18 kt gold nib. The limited edition marks the centenary of Mark Twain’s death in 2010. Limited to: 12,000 piston-fill fountain pens;15,000 ball pens; 6,000 rollerballs; and 3,000 sets consisting of fountain pen, ballpoint pen and mechanical pencil.

Queen Elizabeth I built up 16th century England into a world power and created the foundation for a historic age of culture. Montblanc honours surely the most famous female monarch of Great Britain with an edition of 4810 fountain pens of the very finest quality. The body and cap of black precious resin has a gold-plated inlay and the cap ring is decorated with a Tudor rose. The gold-plated rings and fittings feature ornaments recalling the binding of the book *The Miroir or Glasse of the Synneful Soul* while the
yellow-gold-plated clip is set with a synthetic green garnet. The hand crafted 18 kt gold nib is engraved with a royal crown motif.

The Montegrappa ICON series pays tribute to cultural giants. Launching the series is the man who revolutionized boxing on every level: Muhammad Ali. His talent, his skill and the path of his career introduced monumental changes to the sport, and the way it is perceived. Born Cassius Clay in 1942, the young Ali won numerous titles as an amateur, reaching international prominence with the Light Heavyweight Gold Medal in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. Before the age of 18, his record was 127 wins with five losses. As a professional boxer, Ali shattered stereotypes, his stance and speed serving him in a way not typical of heavyweights. With his good looks and unparalleled gracefulness, allied to quick wit and verbal dexterity that would inspire rappers a generation later, Muhammad Ali created not just an enviable record in the ring – he extended his influence beyond the arena. His stance against the Vietnam War, his conversion to Islam, his litany of eminently-repeatable quotes, his comebacks: Muhammad Ali became a cultural force beyond the confines of sport. In terms of his impact as a notable personality of the 20th Century, he ranks as an icon of the highest standing and influence. To reflect elements of his varied, eventful career, Montegrappa has integrated a number of characteristic details into this Tribute to Muhammad Ali Pen. The 18 kt gold nib sports the *raised arms* silhouette of the victorious boxer. Finished in white pearlized resin with a black stripe running its length, the barrel bears the colours of his boxing shorts. In order to achieve the desired black-and-white effect, Montegrappa employs a state-of-the-art material with unique properties. These include half the weight of glass of the same thickness, excellent optical clarity and light transmission properties, the ability to withstand temperature extremes at different altitudes and superb flexural strength for superior resistance to breakage. Equally important, as the writer enjoys physical contact with the pen, the material also proves warm to the touch. The end of the barrel completes the look with two circumferential black stripes, as found at the tops of Ali*s socks. The rolling ball pocket clip takes the shape of the stitching on Ali*s boxing gloves. The cap profile follows the arc of a speed bag, while the end of the cap is shaped in the cushion form of the World Championship diamond-encrusted ring worn by Ali and his corner team. Lastly, the cap incorporates the great man's signature, in black, with the legend *The Greatest of All Time*. 1942 is the year of his birth. He fought 61 fights. He won 56. His wins by knockout numbered 37. Guided by these figures, Montegrappa has issued 1942 fountain pens and 1942 rollerballs with sterling silver trims; 61 fountain pens with solid gold trims and 56 rollerballs with solid gold trims. Also available will be ana 37 pen *knock-out* edition, solid gold-trimmed and set with diamonds in the cap*s end-piece, each bearing a number corresponding to a specific opponent and fight, engraved with the fighter*s name, as well as the date and location of the event. Muhammad Ali has summed up, with his characteristic mix of modesty and boastfulness, the contribution to global culture that defines his place in the ICONS series: *I'll tell you how I*d like to be remembered: as a black man who won the heavyweight title, who was humorous and treated everyone right, as a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him, a man who stood for freedom, justice and equality, and I wouldn*t even mind if folks forgot how pretty I was.* The fountain pen is cartridge/converter fill.

The Montegrappa ICON series pays tribute to cultural giants. Launching the series is the man who revolutionized boxing on every level: Muhammad Ali. His talent, his skill and the path of his career introduced monumental changes to the sport, and the way it is perceived. Born Cassius Clay in 1942, the young Ali won numerous titles as an amateur, reaching international prominence with the Light Heavyweight Gold Medal in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. Before the age of 18, his record was 127 wins with five losses. As a professional boxer, Ali shattered stereotypes, his stance and speed serving him in a way not typical of heavyweights. With his good looks and unparalleled gracefulness, allied to quick wit and verbal dexterity that would inspire rappers a generation later, Muhammad Ali created not just an enviable record in the ring – he extended his influence beyond the arena. His stance against the Vietnam War, his conversion to Islam, his litany of eminently-repeatable quotes, his comebacks: Muhammad Ali became a cultural force beyond the confines of sport. In terms of his impact as a notable personality of the 20th Century, he ranks as an icon of the highest standing and influence. To reflect elements of his varied, eventful career, Montegrappa has integrated a number of characteristic details into this Tribute to Muhammad Ali Pen. The 18 kt gold nib sports the *raised arms* silhouette of the victorious boxer. Finished in white pearlized resin with a black stripe running its length, the barrel bears the colours of his boxing shorts. In order to achieve the desired black-and-white effect, Montegrappa employs a state-of-the-art material with unique properties. These include half the weight of glass of the same thickness, excellent optical clarity and light transmission properties, the ability to withstand temperature extremes at different altitudes and superb flexural strength for superior resistance to breakage. Equally important, as the writer enjoys physical contact with the pen, the material also proves warm to the touch. The end of the barrel completes the look with two circumferential black stripes, as found at the tops of Ali*s socks. The rolling ball pocket clip takes the shape of the stitching on Ali*s boxing gloves. The cap profile follows the arc of a speed bag, while the end of the cap is shaped in the cushion form of the World Championship diamond-encrusted ring worn by Ali and his corner team. Lastly, the cap incorporates the great man's signature, in black, with the legend *The Greatest of All Time*. 1942 is the year of his birth. He fought 61 fights. He won 56. His wins by knockout numbered 37. Guided by these figures, Montegrappa has issued 1942 fountain pens and 1942 rollerballs with sterling silver trims; 61 fountain pens with solid gold trims and 56 rollerballs with solid gold trims. Also available will be ana 37 pen *knock-out* edition, solid gold-trimmed and set with diamonds in the cap*s end-piece, each bearing a number corresponding to a specific opponent and fight, engraved with the fighter*s name, as well as the date and location of the event. Muhammad Ali has summed up, with his characteristic mix of modesty and boastfulness, the contribution to global culture that defines his place in the ICONS series: *I'll tell you how I*d like to be remembered: as a black man who won the heavyweight title, who was humorous and treated everyone right, as a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him, a man who stood for freedom, justice and equality, and I wouldn*t even mind if folks forgot how pretty I was.*

The cool color of Ice Green joins refreshing accents of rhodium in the newest limited edition Vanishing Point. The colored and curved profile makes a bold statement and the understated contrasts of color provide an appeal that looks great in professional settings too. You will love the one-click action for inking, and the ingenious design of the clip, which ensures that you won't get ink in your pocket. Each instrument features an 18kt gold medium, white gold nib and an individually engraved serial number noting its exclusivity to the edition. The Vanishing Point Ice Green is enclosed within a stylish leatherette gift box. Limited edition of 2010 pens world-wide.