Writers Edition Homage to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Limited Edition 1808 Fountain Pen

At the heart of the 18th-century intellectual movement stood Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, whose work continues to influence today. A true polymath, Goethe was not only a central figure in German literature but also worked as a lawyer, government official, theatre director, scientist, and collector. His life was marked by a constant pursuit of knowledge and a drive to explore the limits of thought and creativity.

His writings reflect his wide-ranging intellect: the philosophical weight of Faust, the elegance of his poetry, and the scientific depth of his theories on color and plant morphology all point to his lasting impact. Goethe's legacy goes beyond literature—he shaped the cultural, scientific, and political world around him.

Montblanc, with the support of the Klassik Stiftung Weimar and the Goethe National Museum, has created the Writers Edition Homage to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Limited Edition 1808, focusing in particular on Goethe’s work as a statesman.

Goethe’s influence grew through both his writing and his public service. His collected works now span 40 volumes, including around 3,000 poems. His first drama, Götz von Berlichingen, was published anonymously in 1773. The next year, The Sorrows of Young Werther made him famous across Europe.

This recognition brought him to Weimar, where Duke Karl August invited him to help shape the duchy’s cultural and political future. Goethe took on major responsibilities, from revitalizing mining to reorganizing economic policy, eventually becoming the duke’s top advisor. In 1782, he was ennobled, and in 1816 he received the Order of the White Falcon, which inspired the star-shaped gold detail on the pen barrel. The red lacquer references the sash Goethe wears in a well-known portrait by Gerhard von Kügelgen.

The gold design on the cap echoes the arch shapes from a Rembrandt etching used in an early edition of Faust. The story of Faust stayed with Goethe throughout his life—starting with Urfaust, then Faust. A Fragment, and finally the celebrated Faust I, published in 1808. Goethe described “world literature” as something that rises above borders and time, and the globe-shaped cap reflects this idea, topped with the Montblanc emblem.

The curved cap, similar to old scientific glass jars, honors Goethe’s work in science and collecting. The clip, shaped like a leaf, and his engraved signature, refer to his studies in plant forms—explored poetically in The Metamorphosis of Plants.

The cone features an engraving inspired by a sketch Goethe made of the Earth Spirit scene in Faust. More engravings come from his appointment document as Privy Legation Councillor. The solid gold nib shows Mephistopheles flying over a city, echoing Delacroix’s illustration. The inscription above it marks the 1790 Leipzig publication of Faust. A Fragment. The edition is limited to 1808 pieces, in honor of the year Faust I was released—a key moment in German and world theatre.