A THRIFTER has hit the jackpot after scouring their local store this month, as they located a Montblanc item for cheap.
Montblanc is a luxury goods company known for selling top-of-the-line jewelry, leather bags, and stationary items.
A thrifter made a fortunate stationary find this month (stock image)[/caption]
They located two valuable Montblanc pens[/caption]
Pens from Montblanc are particularly popular among consumers, especially the Meisterstück Fountain Pens.
Brand-new versions can retail for upwards of $1,105, depending on the model.
Sometimes high-end Montblanc products can float around local thrift stores for extremely budget-friendly price tags, even the fountain pens.
A lucky thrifter was able to find a set of two earlier in September for only $29 each, meaning a serious potential profit if they’re real.
“While I am a pen guy, I have never had a fountain pen; but I got lucky last night and thought I would share it with the community here,” they explained in a Reddit thread.
Included was a snapshot of two Montblanc boxes, which were opened in another image to reveal the pens, one of which having a golden coating resembling the Meisterstück 149, worth $1,105.
The other appeared to be the Meisterstück Classique, which goes for about $735.
Should they both legitimate, it would mean the thrifter spent $60 on pens worth a combined $1,840, a pretty sweet profit.
CHECK EVERYTHING
According to experts, the thrifter had to carefully review five aspects of the Montblanc pens for legitimacy.
First, the letter and engraving on the nib (end of the fountain pen) had to be “sharp” with the edges “smooth” and the gold coloring on the 149 model.
Secondly, the nib had to have no attraction to a manget.
Additionally, the “underside of the clip is engraved ‘Made in Germany Metal,’” which it did.
The serial number also had to be nicely engraved in the correct font.
Lastly, the thrifter had to shine a light through the inside of the pen to get a “deep red color,” but that wasn’t as important for verification as the other steps.
Valuable thrifting finds revealed
Here are some of the best thrift store finds:
- Tiffany & Co. earrings that sold for $0.34 and are valued at $430
- American Girl doll that sold for $5.99 and is valued at $300
- Bionicle toy that sold for $14.95 and is valued at $18.101
- Gold record plaque for DJ Quik’s 1992 album Way 2 Fonky that sold for @20 and is valued at $200
- Rothy’s brand Sugared Berry pointed-toe flats that sold for $155 retail and are valued at $250
ENTHUSIASTS STUNNED
Still, they have to take it in to Montblanc to really know the truth.
“I hate that the fakes are so good that you can’t be sure, so I won’t get my hopes up, at least not totally,” the thrifter wrote.
Others were baffled and excited by the discovery, encouraging the thrifter to go to Montblanc to be certain.
“Nice!!! Montblanc is a great brand. Get them authenticated!” a fellow pen enthusiast exclaimed.
“You got two of them…for like…pennies, lmao. Great score!” another added.
Based on the thrifter’s description, it’s possible the pens they discovered could also be the older Meisterstück 145 versions, which would make them a bit cheaper but still worth a few hundred dollars on eBay.
Some have been listed as high as $345.
Another thrifter has claimed they make at least $80,000 a year thrifting from Goodwill alone.
A savvy shopper also found a $400 luxury dress thrifting for only $14.99.
