Mallika and Anil at Unicef Mont Blanc charity gala

September 17th, 2009 Final Auction Gala in Los Angeles Montblanc & Signature International Cultural and Charitable Photo Project to Benefit UNICEF Los Angeles, CA – September 17, 2009 –Twelve signed portraits of some of the world’s leading actresses with 12 one-of-a-kind limited edition Montblanc writing instruments will be auctioned off live in Los Angeles at a charity gala hosted by Montblanc in cooperation with Signature International. The event will be held on Thursday, September 17th in Los Angeles on the roof garden of the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. All proceeds will benefit UNICEF’s global education and literacy programs.

The ‘Montblanc & Signature International Cultural and Charitable Photo Project’ features the photography of American photographer Roger Moenks. The portraits include internationally known actresses Emily Blunt, Marcia Cross, Andie MacDowell, Helen Hunt, Lauren Hutton, Milla Jovovich, Jessica Lange, Eva Longoria, Sienna Miller, Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon and Mira Sorvino. Each actress has donated her portrait to the exhibition and auction benefiting UNICEF’s education and literacy programs. From an original concept of Signature International, Moenks’ celebrity subjects are depicted as a heroine from the world of literature. Some of the characters featured in the iconic portraits include Scarlett O’Hara from Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone with the Wind”, Juliet from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, and Marguerite Gauthier from “La Dame aux Camélias” by Alexandre Dumas.

The 12 portraits were first unveiled in February at a high profile charity gala with 300 VIP guests and international press in attendance to mark the beginning of a year of giving at Montblanc. In partnership with Sotheby’s, a World Exhibition Tour allowed collectors and enthusiasts to view the portraits and place silent bids for them, the unique images will now make their way back to Los Angeles for the final auction.

In addition to the personally signed photograph of the individual celebrity the highest bidder of each portrait will receive a precious, one-of-a-kind version of the Montblanc Meisterstück, the legendary and timeless writing instrument that is celebrating its 85th anniversary in 2009. This unique version of the Montblanc Meisterstück is specially made in Montblanc’s Artisan workshops made of only the finest precious metals and jewels, and only exists in a rare limited edition of only 12 pieces worldwide, dedicated to the UNICEF collaboration in its sophisticated design features.

Montblanc has supported UNICEF through its global ‘Power to Write’ campaign in 2004 and 2007, raising over $1 million for UNICEF. In 2009, Montblanc renewed its commitment to support UNICEF’s education programs with the common goal of working for children’s rights to education and literacy. Montblanc has committed to raising over $1.5 million for UNICEF in 2009 and 2010 through the auction of the images as well as through other global fundraising initiatives.

As Montblanc International CEO Lutz Bethge explains, “The support of the children without proper access to education cannot stop when times are tough. We are very proud to benefit from the support of these 12 extraordinary ladies to take our commitment to helping children one step further and enhance our support of UNICEF’s education programs around the world. Montblanc stands for credibility, trust, reliability and long lasting values, we therefore take our commitment to UNICEF very seriously.” For more information please also visit www.montblanc.com or become a fan on Facebook.