Christopher writes: "When it comes to vintage German pens, I never have had many in my
collection. Still, I will admit when I ran across this Melbi
Transparent, I was truly smitten. This pen is definitely German in
overall design in that it has a rather short squat shape, but the design
and placement of the different elements that comprise this pen
definitely make up for its dimensions.
(photo courtesy of Christopher ~ please click on image to enlarge)
He continues: "The finish is a high quality black plastic, but whereas the barrel and twist knob at the barrel’s end are smooth, the cap is smartly chased. The fittings are 14K Gold Filled and the cap has a long inner cap screw, with an outer part that forms the top end of the cap. The cap screw locks down a long ring clip that sports an oak tree branch acorn-ended 14K gold filled clip. This rather large clip also has the Melbi branding running vertically down from the top. Finishing off this cap at the open end is a very thin 14K Gold Filled cap ring.
The barrel is deeply imprinted with the Melbi Transparent model branding and company logo. Below, divided by a circular line into the barrel plastic, is the letter ‘M’ for Melbi. Below this is the turning knob to operate the piston filler mechanism. At the other end of the barrel is a long clear plastic ink view window and, above it, a jet black grip. This grip section sports a polished stainless steel medium flex, broad Melbi engraved nib. And what a great point I have to say.
A further note about the German maker of this fine pen. The Merz & Krell Company were located in Groß-Bieberau, Germany and founded at the beginning of the 1920s. The company was initially a division of a pharmaceutical business and produced pens and mechanical pencils under the branding of Melbi until 1936. After the war and in the 1970s, Merz & Krell produced some pens for the Pelikan company and continued into the 2000s with ballpoints."
Our thanks, as always, to Christopher for his contributions to our ongoing virtual "show & tell"!
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