Complete with box and papers

NICOLAUS COPERNICUS - THE DISCOVERER OF THE MODERN VIEW OF THE UNIVERSE ...

Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543)

When the sun rose on 19 February 1473 , the world changed. Nicolaus Copernicus saw the light of day for the first time, and from that moment on never let it out of his sight. As the Middle Ages began to give way to the Renaissance, the young man immersed himself in the study of the classical disciplines of mathematics, philosophy, Latin literature and law. But astronomy was his greatest passion. He painstakingly reviewed the astronomical theories and observations of Aristotle and Ptolemy from thousands of years before. Their ideas had given rise to a geocentric view of the universe, with the Earth at its centre, but his mathematical training made Copernicus unable to overlook the inherent contradictions. In his quest for the verifiable truth he tracked the path of the celestial bodies with the naked eye from his "observatory", a small corner tower of the cathedral in Frombork. The results formed the basis for a new view of the universe that still applies today: the heliocentric system.  

He set down his theories in his great work "On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres". The first printed copy reached Copernicus at the end of his life on 24 May 1543 , being placed in his hands on his deathbed.

... WHO CONTINUES TO SET AN EXAMPLE TODAY.

The discovery of the heliocentric system revolu­tionised the world and prepared the way for many other scientists. Galileo substantiated the modern view of the universe using the telescope, Johann Kepler's calculations showed that the orbits were elliptical, and Isaac Newton's law of gravitation explained the solar system.

Copernicus' currency reform was also ground­breaking. To rein in the inflationary economy, Copernicus advocated a multinational currency reform. Today this reform is regarded as the most significant monetary theory of the 16th century, and its principles still hold true.

News of the scholar's reputation also reached Rome . In 1514 Copernicus received an invitation from the Pope to correct the calendar. However, the astronomer declined because he believed it was not yet possible to calculate the length of the year with sufficient accuracy. Some 70 years later the calendar was eventually reformed, based on the observations of Nicolaus Copernicus, with 10 days being dropped to produce the calendar in worldwide use today.

Considering all the achievements that stem from Copernicus' theories, he can rightly be regarded as one of mankind's greatest "intellectual patrons". From this perspective, Goethe's words seem almost prophetic: "Of all discoveries, probably none have had a greater effect on the human intellect than the doctrine of Copernicus."

THE LIMITED EDITION HOMMAGE A NICOLAUS COPERNICUS. A MOVING PIECE OF HISTORY.

The new view of the universe expounded by Nicolaus Copernicus finds superlative expression in the fountain pen of the same name produced by Montblanc in a strictly limited edition to honour the great scientist and patron.

Nine rings hand-crafted in 925 sterling silver symbolically encircle the anthracite grey lacquer barrel.

The sun, around which the universe has revolved since Copernicus made his discovery, is symbolised by a facetted greenish meteoric stone which shimmers on the clip above the orbits of the planets.  

A further exquisite detail com­pletes this Limited Edition: The rhodium-plated 18-carat gold nib bears an engraving of Copernicus' historic drawing of the planetary orbits.

The Montblanc star in mother-of-pearl provides a sparkling finishing touch to this superbly stylish writing instrument.

PEN IS NEW

18k solid gold nib