With its new Writers Edition Montblanc pays tribute to one of the most important personalities in the history of literature: Daniel Defoe.
Daniel Defoe, who was born in London around 1660, began his training as a minister before deciding to become a merchant. Throughout his life he criticised the social and political evils of England and published numerous pamphlets which railed against the privileges enjoyed by the king and the church. In 1719, Defoe penned his first book, perhaps the most famous adventure story of all time, Robinson Crusoe, a literary epic that has captivated generations of readers throughout the world and that has seen Daniel Defoe described as the founder of the modern English novel.
An article about the lonely island life of the sailor Alexander Selkirk may have inspired Daniel Defoe to write the story of Robinson Crusoe, the son of a merchant from York who sailed the seas of the world many times before he saved himself from a shipwreck off an uninhabited Caribbean island. His adventures ranged from a sheer battle for survival to saving Man Friday held prisoner by a tribe of cannibals. Robinson Crusoe was accompanied throughout by his loyal parrot “Poll”, who is found as a fine engraving on the ruthenium-plated 750 gold nib.
Referencing Crusoe‘s unsuccessful attempts to escape the island on a raft, the shape of the Limited Edition Daniel Defoe is modelled on his paddle. Inspired by the colour and structure of wood, the precious resin of the cap and barrel symbolises Robinson Crusoe‘s island life reduced to the simplest of things. The signature of his inventor, Daniel Defoe, is immortalised as a fine engraving on the cap. Delicate designs of typical 18th century ornaments, that decorated book covers at the time, adorn the cap ring and cone. The elaborately decorated clip in the shape of a feather is reminiscent of Crusoe’s plumed friend and the filigree engravings on the rings recall the stitching of Robinson’s clothing which he had to make himself after being shipwrecked.
The Writers Edition Daniel Defoe is only available in a strictly limited edition worldwide – this is guaranteed by Montblanc, as it is for all of its Limited Editions. The issue number engraved on the cap is proof of the uniqueness of every piece. The fountain pen version of this edition will be limited to 10,000 pieces, and the ballpoint pen to 13,000. The rollerball is limited to 8,000 pieces and the set with fountain pen, ballpoint pen/ rollerball and mechanical pencil is limited to 1,800 pieces.