Peter I, also known as Peter the Great, became the tsar of Russia in 1682 and was later on proclaimed emperor in 1721, remaining so until his death in 1725. 

Considered as one of the country’s greatest reformers, he introduced a meritocratic system that replaced hereditary nobility, allowing the common people to rise from the ranks in government and military service. Previous to this, he abolished the Boyar Council, a group of noblemen who advised the tsar, and replaced it with a working senate. 

What he was truly known for, however, was the establishment of St. Petersburg. Founded in 1703, Peter the Great employed and sponsored foreign architects, engineers, artists, and sculptors for this massive urban undertaking, creating Russia’s old capital on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Aside from this, he mandated secular education and established the Russian Academy of Sciences. He also modernized the Russian alphabet and opened the first Russian newspaper, Sankt-Peterburgskie Vedomosti (St. Petersburg News). 

In honor of his many accomplishments, Montblanc released the Patron of Art Peter the Great fountain pen, a beautiful piece with a base of dark green precious resin, representing laurel leaves that decorated the Small Throne Room of the Winter Palace, where the Russian royal family resided. This is overlaid with gold-plated fittings inspired by traditional ornamental designs. The ring near the cap’s finial is a crown of green emeralds, while engravings of laurel wreaths decorate two other bands. The nib is designed with the Russian state symbol of the two-headed eagle, and is made from 18-karat gold. 

We have for sale a new-old-stock Montblanc Patron of Art Peter the Great fountain pen (1997) with an M nib. It comes complete with its box, papers, and other inclusions. 

Length capped: 14.4 cm.