Bonhams, announce the company’s ninth offering of exceptional writing instruments in the US on December 6, 2011. The auction contains more than 200 lots and offers a diverse selection of excellent fountain pens from all of the top makers, including a Dupont James Bond limited edition set inspired by 007’s firearm of choice, the Walther PPK.
Lot No: 114 MONTBLANC: James Madison Limited Edition America’s Signatures for Freedom Series Fountain Pen
The pen and lighter set is black matte and PVD coated, lending them the look and feel of Bond’s famous gun. The items are decorated in a stainless steel bullet motif with a time zone function and the fountain pen doubles as a laser pointer. Suave, masterful, in command of every situation; these instruments possess the glamorous allure of 007 himself. A perfect homage to the iconic adventurer and spy, this sensational set is your license to thrill (est. $4,000 – 6,000).
Highlighted by fine writing instruments from around the globe, anticipation for this sale is running high, as fine pens continue to gain stature as emblems of individual style and luxury rivaled only by fine watches. Continuing on the international theme, the sale also features a Dupont Taj Mahal limited edition 5-piece set based on the fabled Indian architectural masterpiece of the 17th century. S.T. Dupont took inspiration from this legendary structure to create this exceptional collection, using some of the finest materials such as platinum and mother-of-pearl. Only 25 of these exclusive sets were issued, making it one of Dupont’s rarest and most sought after creations (est. $20,000 – 30,000).
In addition, a highly sought after Montblanc Sir Winston Churchill limited edition 53 fountain pen will highlight the fall sale. Churchill (a notorious Montblanc fancier) was voted the greatest Briton of all time for his courageous dedication to the cause of freedom. The great statesman’s legendary “V for Victory” sign is echoed in the design of the clip and the nib is engraved with Churchill’s portrait. This handsome example, which is fashioned of 18 karat pink gold inlaid with tortoiseshell lacquer bands, is a fitting tribute to the statesman.
Bonhams offered an example of this pen in May of this year, and it proved to be the most talked-about and admired pen of the sale, attracting quite a bit of attention and achieving a world record auction price. This pen’s aesthetic and historic virtues, in combination with its perfect size, make it one of Montblanc’s proudest achievements in modern limited edition pens (est. $15,000 – 25,000).
The auction also includes some of Montblanc’s most sought after limited edition writing instruments from the America’s Signatures for Freedom series, including fountain pens inspired by former US Presidents: George Washington (est. $18,000 – 24,000) and John Adams (est. $18,000 – 24,000) as well as a rare to market James Madison (est. $20,000 – 30,000). This pen has been acclaimed by many as one of the most beautiful instruments in the series and a worthy tribute to the author of the Bill of Rights, a man hailed as “the father of the Constitution.”
Also of interest are some of Montblanc’s most coveted limited editions, including the US 4th of July holiday (est. $12,000 – 15,000), Brandenburger Tor, one of the company’s most extraordinary designs (est. $14,000 – 16,000) Hundertwasser, inspired by the noted architect (est. $10,000-15,000) and the Ancient Games, which is dedicated to the immortal spirit of sporting competition (est. $15,000 – 20,000), among others.
A strong selection of 15 maki-e fountain pens from Namiki will also be featured in the sale. Of special interest are two rare examples from the 1920s and 1930s: a rare Dunhill-Namiki Double Goldfish Maki-e pen (est. $5,000 – 8,000) and a Dunhill-Namiki Birds Over Blossoms Maki-e Fountain Pen signed by maki-e master artist Syucho Makino (est. $3,500 – 4,500). Namiki lacquer pens are known throughout the world for elevating the craft of fine writing instruments into the realm of fine art. They are highly sought by collectors, particularly in the Far East.
The illustrated catalog for this sale will be available online for review and purchase at www.bonhams.com/us in the weeks preceding the sale.
Preview: December 2-4, 2011, Los Angeles
Auction: December 6, 2011, Los Angeles