Montblanc introduces its annual Patron of Art Edition 2013 commemorating the life and influence of Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, one of the most prominent patrons of the Italian Renaissance and protector of the great Leonardo Da Vinci and other outstanding artists. For 22 years, the Patron of Arts Edition has celebrated the contribution of a different historical patron of the arts and coincides with the annual Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Awards, an honour established in 1992 to recognize the commitment of modern day patrons of the arts in 12 countries. For 15 years, starting in the 1490s, Da Vinci worked for Sforza, during which time he created two of his best-known works for his patron: *The Last Supper* in the convent church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and *The Lady with an Ermine*. Sforza*s legendary black armour is symbolized on the Limited Edition by the gleaming black lacquer with .925 sterling silver inlays. The cap and clip design of this Limited Edition 4810 are inspired by the striking cylindrical towers of the Castello Sforzesco (the expansion of which was commissioned by Sforza), and the pen*s fittings replicate Leonardo da Vinci*s ceiling fresco from the *Sala delle Asse* in the Milanese castle.To honour this clever diplomat and intriguer, who was overthrown by the French King Louis XII after forming an alliance against France in 1499, the *testone*, a coin of the Italian Renaissance, was minted. Its distinctive embossments are immortalized on the cap ring. The .750 rhodium plated solid gold nib of the edition is engraved with the Duke*s coat of arms, a final acknowledgement to a lasting cultural legacy. The .925 sterling silver, piston filled fountain pen is crowned with the Montblanc star in white precious resin.

Montblanc presents the Limited Writers Edition 2012 honouring Jonathan Swift, an Irish writer who is probably the foremost prose satirist in the English language. His most famous book, *Gulliver’s Travels*, was published in 1726, in which he describes Gulliver*s travel to different countries, reflecting his political experiences and belittling the mannerism of the English prevalent class. The cap is made of precious black resin in a triangular shape and engraved with Jonathan Swift*s signature and shaped like Gulliver*s tricorn hat, a typical tradesman hat of the early 18th century. The barrel features multi-layered inlays in black precious lacquer with ropes rapped around the barrel, reminiscent of Gulliver being captured at the shore of Lilliput Island. The clip depicts a staircase that the mayor of Lilliput had to climb to be able to talk to the giant Gulliver. The rhodium-plated 18kt gold nib is engraved with the giant Gulliver and the Imperial Army, available in M, F and B widths. Piston Fill.

Limited to: 12,800 fountain pens; 14,600 ballpoint pens; 8,800 rollerballs; and 1,000 sets consisting of fountain pen, ballpoint pen and mechanical pencil.