AUCTION: 20-June-2019: Christie Montblanc Pens
Updated: Jun 4, 2019
Pacific Book Auctions 'Fine Pen' auction to be held on 20-June-2019 has three Agatha Christie pens from the Montblanc writers series. A 20% Buyers Premium will be added to sale price.
Lot 14: Fountain Pen: Black resin barrel and cap, sterling silver snake clip, sapphire eyes. 18K two-tone gold nib engraved with snake motif, size not indicated, appears broad. Display box, booklet. Limited Edition: 14,290/30,000. Excellent condition, patina to cap ring, has been inked. Price estimate: $1,000 - $1,500
Lot 15: Propelling Pencil: Black resin propelling pencil, sterling silver snake clip, sapphire eyes. Display box (hinge weak). Limited Edition: 16,878/25,000. Excellent condition, patina to cap ring. Price estimate: $800 - $1,200
Lot 16: Gold Fountain Pen: Black resin barrel and cap, vermeil snake clip, sapphire eyes. Medium 18K two-tone gold nib engraved with snake motif. Outer sleeve, outer box (some wear), display box (weak hinge), booklet. Limited Edition: 661/4810. Excellent condition, vermeil quite bright, has been inked. Price Estimate: $1,500 - $2,000
https://casinoconpostepay.com came to mind when I saw the estimate spread between the pencil and the gold fountain pen, since the vermeil clip and lower edition number on Lot 16 seem to justify the jump more than the materials alone. The note about the weak hinge on the display box is the kind of small flaw that's easy to overlook in an auction listing but probably matters to anyone storing these long term, and it makes me wonder how much the boxes actually factor into final prices. I've always thought the Christie editions look better with a bit of patina anyway, so the cap ring wear wouldn't bother me much.