Elvis Is Back In The Building

While the Oscar contender Elvis movie pays a pretty good tribute to the legend, Montblanc have fashioned their own tributes to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in the way they know best with their Montblanc Great Characters Elvis Presley Special Edition range. A fitting tribute to the man who left an indelible mark on the world of music.

Elvis Presley is considered one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll describes him as “an American music giant of the 20th century who singlehandedly changed the course of music and culture in the mid-1950s.” It is no surprise that Montblanc, known for honoring cultural icons who have made their mark on history have included Presley to be part of their Great Characters Edition range.

The Great Characters Edition comprises three writing instruments, each one in tribute to an important stage of Elvis’ career: a Special Edition inspired by his 1968 comeback concert, a Limited Edition 1935 evoking his time in Las Vegas, and a Limited Edition 98 based on the “Aloha from Hawaii” concert (1973) broadcast via satellite to 1.5 billion people across 40 countries.

The Special Edition, fashioned in black resin, features a gold-plated clip and a rhodium-coated 14-karat gold nib engraved with the title of one of his many hit songs: “Blue Suede Shoes.” The silhouette of the end of the barrel is reminiscent of the shape of a spark plug, paying homage to Presley’s passion for cars. He purchased around 300 during his lifetime, often giving them away as gifts. The pen also includes Presley’s well-known quote, “Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine,” and the V shape of the clip with eight holes is designed to reference an engine block. 

The pattern on the cap and barrel is inspired by a ring that was custom-made for Presley’s “Aloha in Hawaii” concert. The top of the clip references the design of his famous sunglasses (with the initials “EP”), and in a new twist, the Montblanc emblem on the cap crown is combined with the Elvis logo. The pen’s barrel is encircled by the words, “Elvis has left the building,” the memorable statement spoken by concert announcers at the end of numerous live appearances.

The Limited Edition 1935 features a bold lacquer eagle inlay worked into the cap, which is inspired by the cape Elvis wore during his “Aloha from Hawaii” performance; each of the 246 colorful lacquer “windows” is individually filled by hand. The song title, “Jailhouse Rock,” is engraved on the handcrafted, rhodium-coated 18-karat gold nib. The “Aloha From Hawaii” performance is the inspiration for the design of the Montblanc Great Characters Elvis Presley Limited Edition 98, fashioned from 18-karat gold. The cap is adorned with the eagle from Presley’s dramatic costume, created using various layers of colored lacquer. The cap top features a floating Montblanc emblem with gold dust beneath, and the 18-karat gold nib is engraved with the song title, “Suspicious Minds.”

The Montblanc Great Characters Elvis Presley Special Edition range is a true work of art, not only in its craftsmanship but also in its tribute to one of the most iconic figures in music history. It is a fitting tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, who continues to be a cultural icon today, more than 40 years after his death.