Based in Hamburg Germany, Mont Blanc International GmbH and their universally recognized ?White Star? logo is a widely recognized manufacturer of fine writing instruments and fashion accessories. The company was founded in 1906 by a group of three men, a banker, a stationer and an engineer who banded together to combine their talents and resources to manufacture high quality affordable writing pens.
The Company is Founded
The company that they founded was originally named the ?Simplo Filler Pen Co.? The very first pen that Simplo Filler manufactured in 1909 was the ?Rouge Et Noir? and it is to this day highly coveted by collectors worldwide. In 1910 the company launched their second pen design called the Mont Blanc, which also was subsequently to become the succeeding name for the company.
Success Despite Early Challenges
The company was able to achieve some measure of success in spite of the challenges of World War One and the companies founder being forced to flee the country to avoid criminal charges relating to the theft of company funds. In 1934 again the company name was changed to Mont Blanc Simplo GmbH. Fast forward to 1977 when the company was acquired by Dunhill, at which time some fundamental marketing changes were implemented, including the complete elimination of their line of lower priced pens.
Mont Blanc Today
Today Mont Blanc is owned and operated by the ?Richmond Group?, which is the parent company of easily recognized names in luxury accessories such as Cartier, Chloe and Van Cleef & Arpels among others. In fact, Mont Blanc now produces all of the components for Cartier pens. Mont Blanc is now a producer of standard run and highly coveted limited edition pens, which are confined to production numbers of tens of thousands.
A Unique Look and Style
Mont Blanc pens are recognized worldwide for their level of quality and style and they still make available classic fountain pens, which produce an elegant, easily recognizable unique form of script. Of course however, they also feature an extensive line of high end ball point pens and mechanical pencils as well.
Highly Coveted By Collectors
Mont Blanc pens are also highly collectible and many of their antique classic models have proven to be more then worthy investments to avid collectors scattered around the globe. Mont Blanc has also pioneered the development of a technology that they refer to as ?precious resin?. Mont Blanc pens made from this material have a unique sheen to them due to the embedding of glass fibers in the plastic during the injection molding process.
The Mont Blanc $200,000 Pen
Their pens and writing instruments easily run into the hundreds of dollars in price but it was the release of a limited edition of 149 diamond encrusted pens that really turned heads. Those special edition pens sold for $200,000 each and are highly coveted by collectors of fine writing instruments to this day.
360 Boutiques Around the Globe
What started out as a small group of men who got together to manufacture and sell simple high quality writing instruments has now grown into a business enterprise that owns and operates 360 boutiques world wide. Also, at the same time their simple and functional writing products have developed into fine high quality accessories which are coveted by discriminating wordsmiths and collectors around the globe.
Mont Blanc sits on the cross roads of Europe and it's exceptional value and symbolism is in evidence to all. It's rare qualities, its situation at the heart of Europe, and its position as Europe's highest mountain give Mont Blanc a universal recognition. But, although Mont Blanc is the third most visited natural wonder on the world (behind the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls) it is the only one of the grand massifs of the seven continents which doesn't benefit from UNESCO status. But why and what are these criteria?
The UNESCO convention for world heritage adopted in 1972 allowed for the designation of sites with an exceptional universal value: such as the pyramids in Egypt, the Galapagos Islands or Kilimanjaro. There are now 730 sites of which 144 are natural and 23 mixed (natural and cultural) in 125 different countries. 57 of these sites are mountains, or mountain ranges but Mont Blanc doesn't feature.
Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in Western Europe with an altitude of 4807m. With new technologies the altitude of Mont Blanc can be accurately measured and its oscillations measured (between 4807m and 4811m). This constant fluctuation is due to the level of snow which accumulates on the rock summit (which is estimated to be 4780m) which is in turn dependent on precipitation and temperature. It is foreseeable that with global warming there will be an augmentation in precipitation and this will favor an elevation of Mont Blanc. The rise of the massif continues today at a rate of 1.5mm a year but is in competition with the forces of erosion.
Due to the fascination with which Mont Blanc captures the spirit and the imagination the massif has played a leading role in the birth and evolution of geology. Literature, natural history and the history of science converge when one talks about the rock structures of the massif. This interest in Mont Blanc started with Saussare in the 1700s who studied Mont Blanc as the key to understanding the formation of the Alps and all mountain chains. So the massif du Mont Blanc was and continues to be an object of scientific interest of the premier order, which has permitted the advancement of our knowledge of the Alps. A heritage which must be developed and conserved for the future.
Both Jeff Jarred & Roberto Bell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jeff Jarred has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Jewelry and Business Intelligence. Jeff J endorses Chris Tyrrell who writes for Wheelers Luxury Gifts, stockists of and other luxury gift items. Visit the website for more d. Jeff Jarred's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.
Roberto Bell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Food and Drink, Health and Colon Cleanse. Matt lives and works in He runs skiing holidays through his company. Roberto Bell's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.