Rollerball Writers Edition Homage to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Limited Edition 1808

At the center of the intellectual awakening of the 18th century, the writings of one man in particular have stood the test of time: those of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Polymath, giant of German literature, lawyer, minister, theater director as well as a prodigious collector and naturalist, he was in every way a revolutionary, eager to push the boundaries of perception and learning. Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, his creative versatility knew no bounds. The philosophical depth of "Faust," the lyrical subtlety of his poetry, and the breadth of scientific exploration behind his theory of colors and botanical treatises have had historical significance and testify, through their variety and considerable influence, to Goethe's genius. Poet and statesman, advisor, friend, and lover, he left an indelible mark on the world around him and remains today a source of inspiration and vision. With the support of the Klassik Stiftung Weimar and the Goethe National Museum it houses, Montblanc dedicates its Writers Edition Homage to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Limited Edition 1808 to this universal genius, emphasizing his role as a statesman. Goethe marked his era with his words and deeds. The largest edition of his works and writings today includes 40 volumes, containing approximately 3,000 poems. His drama Götz von Berlichingen was published anonymously in 1773, but a year later, The Sorrows of Young Werther, written in less than four weeks, propelled the young 25-year-old lawyer to overnight fame. His reputation did not go unnoticed in Weimar, where the young duke, Karl August, wished to transform his duchy into a "Court of the Muses." Goethe's installation in Weimar marked a turning point in his life. He was no longer only considered a renowned poet and philosopher but also a statesman and reformer, reviving the tradition of silver mining, reorganizing economic and fiscal policy, and quickly rising to the rank of principal advisor to the duke. Goethe was ennobled in 1782 in recognition of his services to the court of Weimar and received in 1816 the Order of the White Falcon, also known as the Order of the House of Vigilance. This star-shaped insignia is the origin of the golden ornamentation on the body of the limited edition. The carmine red lacquer underneath refers to the color of the ceremonial belt worn by Goethe in the portrait by Gerhard von Kügelgen. The golden motif traced around the cap recalls the rounded arches prominently featured in a Rembrandt engraving adapted for the frontispiece of Goethe's "Faust fragment," dating from 1790. The character of Faust occupied Goethe for almost his entire life. He wrote an initial version, Urfaust, then a fragment, and finally his world-renowned drama, Faust I, published in 1808. This drama, whose eloquence and global reach are unmatched, is a true masterpiece of world literature. Goethe himself invented the term "world literature," using it to signify an expression of universality, transcending all linguistic, ethnic, and temporal barriers. Symbolizing Goethe's concept of "world literature," the cap takes the form of a globe, crowned by the Montblanc emblem. The slightly curved shape of the cap, resembling a chemist's glass jar, is a tribute to the achievements of Goethe as a scientist and collector. The leaf-shaped clip and engraved signature pay homage to his extraordinary studies in the field of morphology and particularly to his proposition of an archetypal plant form. He even transposed this idea into verse in his didactic love poem The Metamorphosis of Plants. These reflections and discoveries, along with all the others, were put on paper using precious writing instruments that inspired the historical aspect of the entire Writers Edition collection. Unlike Goethe himself, whose studies served to advance scientific research, his fictional counterpart was plagued by doubt. Faust, who failed to achieve his own scientific goals, turns to magic by invoking the "Spirit of the Earth." The dramatic scene in which the light radiating from this overwhelming presence fills the room was captured in one of Goethe's sketches, the model for the engraving on the cone tip. Other engravings around the cone are borrowed from the ornaments featured on his certificate of appointment as a private legation councilor in Weimar. As a nod to the year of publication of Faust I, a landmark event in German theater and one of the most translated and performed plays in the world, the limited edition includes only 1808 pieces.

Ident No. 131446
Color: Burgundy
Mechanism: Rollerball
Dimensions: 146.6 x 16.5 mm
Physical weight: 85.06 g