On September 12, 2010, Montblanc unveiled the John Lennon Edition writing instruments and launched a program that supported access to music education to children around the world.

Almost 30 years after his tragic death John Lennon, a symbol of promoting peace and love around the globe, proved he still has star-pulling power at the launch of a series of luxury pens to commemorate what would have been his 70th birthday.

John Lennon was not only a legend of music and art, but also a peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as the founder, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles. Lennon was a very complex man with a vivid personality, characterized for the rebellious nature and acerbic wit in his music, writing, drawings, on film and in interviews. His unconventional music style along with his fresh approach has inspired a lot of people worldwide and the messages of peace he spread, are still valid today.

Acting on his desire to do good for mankind and harnessing the power of love, John Lennon used his celebrity to mobilize ordinary people to do extraordinary things, opening new vistas of hope and inspiration all over the world. These were the qualities that made him such a natural spokesman for the peace movement- and a perfect counterpart to Yoko Ono’s cutting-edge, experimental art. His fresh, unconventional sound, full of experimentation and innovation, prompted thunderous approval from audiences everywhere- and became the perfect vehicle for his resounding message of peace. With powerful lyrics that articulated exactly what people were feeling though they couldn’t express it themselves, he caught the zeitgeist with uncanny accuracy. He was that rare thing – an independent mind, a great thinker, a visionary whose influence helped and shaped the intellectual mood of an era.

Montblanc has released three versions of the John Lennon Pen Collection inspired by the legendary musician with part of the proceeds going to music education charities including the John Lennon educational tour bus.

Even if the Montblanc John Lennon 70 doesn’t belong to the Great Characters Series (like Mahatma Gandhi 241, Einstein 99, Leonardo da Vinci 74, Miles Davis 90, etc.) – it constitutes nevertheless a natural complement of this series that pays tribute to some of these great people. In appreciation of the artist, his musical activity as well as his dreams of seeing the world a better place, Montblanc honored John Lennon by donating EUR 600 from the sale of each fountain pen to cultural projects supporting young artists around the world.

The Special Edition

The John Lennon Special Edition incorporates several design elements evoking the music of the 1950s and 1960s. The gentle grooves chiseled into the black precious resin of the barrel mimic those of a vintage vinyl record. The platinum-plated clip is shaped like his guitar complete with tuning pegs and etched strings, depicting a portrait of the musician in the resonator hole. The rhodium-plated 18K gold nib is embellished with the iconic peace symbol.

The John Lennon Special Edition made of black precious resin and platinum-plated finish encompasses the models of a Fountain Pen, Rollerball and Ballpoint Pen .

The Limited Edition 1940

Produced by Montblanc in only 1,940 pieces in the world in memory of John Lennon year of birth, this precious limited edition is a further tribute to his life. Available in Fountain Pen, Rollerball and Ballpoint Pen, inspired by their own exclusive design to the famous mosaic dedicated to John Lennon in the heart of Central Park in New York.

Completely covered in Ag925 sterling silver with guilloche and transparent white lacquer, it keeps the precious cap breakdown of the guitar-shaped clip, enriching it with a stone of blue tanzanite blue spectacles reminiscent of the famous artist. The mid-point of the barrel is decorated with silver half sphere plaque engraved Lennon’s self-portrait signature. The pen’s cone is encircled by the release date of Imagine: “02.10.1971”. The rhodium-plated 18K gold nib again bears the sign so often trace in flowers on the circular memorial mosaic: the peace symbol-standing for the ideals to which John Lennon dedicated his life’s work, and bringing the design full circle back to the memorial mosaic in Central Park, where people so often offer personal tributes by decorating the stones with flowers laid in the universal sign of peace.