he pen is said to be mightier than the sword - an adage extolling the power of communication, of words, their democracy, their universality. Everyone can wield a pen to express their point of view and emotions, to assert an impact on the world. Writing enables people to leave traces of their lives, to tell their stories, to make a mark.

Founded in 1906, Montblanc is synonymous with refined writing culture, offering quality luxury products of traditional craftsmanship, functional benefit and beauty, crafted with passion by master artisans, reflecting the high expectations of its customers.

Especially valuable in this modern age of technology, handwriting is a personal art form that gives expression to individual thoughts with a unique aesthetic. Montblanc wishes to inspire people to write by providing the instruments with which to create, to leave their own mark.

Like a Stradivarius or a Steinway, Montblanc instruments are precisely geared, finely tuned artistic creations serving as tools for the creative endeavors of others. Paying homage to humanity’s great writers, artists, explorers and achievers with its limited-edition High Artistry collections, Montblanc wishes to celebrate through its writing instruments the power of the hand, and of humanity, to communicate more than just words.

Montblanc: Inspire Writing tells the remarkable story of a pioneering Maison striving since its very inception to inspire people to write, to let their thoughts flow across a page, to leave their mark, pen in hand. Through the words of journalist and author Alex Fury, punctuated by archive images, documents and striking new product visuals by photographer Laziz Hamani, the book reveals the multifaceted identity of Montblanc, as the summit of luxury writing instruments for people who strive for excellence and dare to make their individual mark with signature flair and style. It also reminds us of the power of handwriting and the traces of humanity found in every letter inked on paper.

Montblanc pens are in fact instruments, finely tuned artistic creations that serve as tools for the creative endeavors of others. With each of its editions, Montblanc continues to excite new creativity through the memory of creatives that have gone before, and who still create today - galvanizing others toward leaving their own mark, one handwritten word at a time.

Montblanc: Inspire Writing (26x35cm, 220 pages, English & German Assouline Legend version) is available worldwide from February 2021 throughout Montblanc and Assouline networks.

Alexander Fury is a fashion journalist, author and critic. He is Fashion Features Director of AnOther Magazine and Men’s Critic for Financial Times.