Pba Galleries Debut Fine Pen Auction: Modern & Vintage - July 19, 2018

[Kid Parker]

MONTEGRAPPA: Eternal Bird 18K Gold Limited Edition Fountain Pen * PREMIERE EXAMPLE, 2005. Estimate: $7000-10,000

 

The premiere example of Montegrappa's 18K gold overlay Eternal Bird fountain pen. Created in 2005 as a companion piece to the 1995 Dragon pen, Montegrappa's Eternal Bird is a tribute to Feng Huang (the phoenix), the immortal bird of legend which rises, reborn, from its own ashes. It features a hand-finished solid 18K yellow gold overlay of impressive heft, a marbled red celluloid body and ruby eyes. The medium 18K gold nib is engraved with a phoenix in flight. Outer box, lacquered wood display box, chamois, booklet (numbered "0"), usage guide. Excellent condition, not inked.

Except for the rare PdA ("Prova d'Autore") artist's proofs that Montegrappa created for some of their most exclusive designs, the No. 0 limitations are the company's most desirable iterations, and were only offered to Montegrappa's most esteemed clients. The are almost impossible to obtain. Limited Edition: No. 0, preceding the regular limited edition of 100 examples.

[Kid Parker]

MONTBLANC: James Watt 18K Gold Skeleton Limited Edition 35 Fountain Pen, 2014. Estimate: $30,000-35,000

 

Montblanc's tribute to Scotsman James Watt, whose engineering innovations powered the Industrial Revolution. The skeletonized 18K gold barrel and cap, with oversized flywheel motif, reflect the "parallel motion" linkage system of Watt's revolutionary steam engine. The clip recalls Watt's double-weighted centrifugal governor. The joints of the supports connecting the 18K gold flywheels are decorated with diamonds, and a domed mother-of-pearl Montblanc star surmounts the cap. The skeletonized body of the pen affords a glimpse of the 18K gold piston-filling mechanism within. Two versions of this pen were released: a limited edition of 83 and this deluxe limited edition of 35.

Medium 18K gold nib engraved with a draft horse, symbol of horsepower. Illustrated outer box, lacquered wood display box, hardbound folder with booklet, certificate and service guide. Limited Edition: 14/35. Excellent condition, not inked.

[Kid Parker]

MONTBLANC: Wassily Kandinsky "Masters of Abstract Art" 18K Gold Skeleton Cap Limited Edition Fountain Pen, 2016. Estimate: $20,000-30,000

 

One of the great pioneers of 20th century art, Wassily Kandinsky ushered painting into a new era of freedom from concrete representationalism. His abstractions are typified by geometric elements and explosive floods of color, qualities embodied in this instrument's design. The color shading on the deep blue barrel suggests the short brush strokes of Kandinsky's early style; the 18K gold skeleton cap is modeled from the three basic geometric shapes, and enlivened with colors characteristic of Kandinsky's Bauhaus aesthetic; the mother-of-pearl Montblanc star under a rounded glass captop dome suggests the onion domes of his native Moscow. Medium 18K gold nib engraved with Kandinsky's signature initial "K". Outer box, illustrated inner box, lacquered wood display box, booklet. Limited Edition: 44/77. Excellent condition, not inked.

[Kid Parker]

MONTBLANC: Salvador Dali 18K Gold Skeleton Limited Edition Fountain Pen, 2004. Estimate: $10,000-15,000

 

Tribute to the famed Surrealist painter, with an 18K yellow and white gold skeleton cap featuring Dali's name and a solid 18K yellow gold barrel. The cap is studded with diamonds, and a luminous mother-of-pearl captop star completes the design. Medium 18K two-tone gold nib etched with Dali's portrait. Outer box, inner box, lacquered wood display box, booklet. Limited Edition: 041/100. Excellent condition, not inked.

[Kid Parker]

MONTBLANC: Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus) 18K Gold Toledo Limited Edition Fountain Pen, 2008. Estimate: $10,000-15,000

 

One of Montblanc's most impressive limited editions, this Toledo-style pen was released predominantly to the European market in 2008, and very few examples were made available to collectors in the U.S. and other markets. The pen's solid 18K yellow gold overlay is hand-engraved with motifs relating to Columbus's historic voyage of discovery. Medium 18K gold nib etched with a portrait of Columbus. Outer box, inner box, lacquered wood display box, booklet. Limited Edition: 15/92. Excellent condition, not inked. Pen and metal plate on lacquered wood display box both marked "15/92", label on outer white box marked "92/92", booklet is duly stamped and marked on facing pages with both numbers: "15/92" and "92/92".

 

[Kid Parker]

MONTBLANC: Airbus A380 18K White Gold Skeleton Fountain Pen, c.2010. Estimate: $6500-8500

 

Montblanc pays tribute to the world's largest airliner, the Airbus A380, which set a new standard in air travel when it was introduced in 2005. Features an 18K white gold overlay with 42 diamonds encircling the captop, cap ring and cone. The double-decker design of the plane is reflected in the twin rows of portholes in the barrel, through which dark blue resin can be seen. The captop star is white gold set in black lacquer, a striking design touch shared by no other Montblanc artisan editions. Medium 18K platinum-plated gold nib. Outer box, inner box, lacquered wood display box, booklet. Limited Edition: 91/380. Mint condition, not inked.

[Kid Parker]

MONTBLANC: Charlie Chaplin 18K White Gold Limited Edition Skeleton Fountain Pen, 2007. Estimate: $20,000-25,000

 

Tribute to Charlie Chaplin, a key figure of early 20th century cinema. The pen's elaborate design, with many visual allusions to Chaplin's iconography, has made it one of Montblanc's most celebrated creations. The skeleton overlay's 18K white gold cog-wheels are inspired by the machines featured in his signature film, Modern Times, and various details suggest aspects of Chaplin's persona: the barrel and cone recall his baggy trousers, the captop is based upon his bowler hat, the clip resembles his cane. The cog-wheels are set with diamonds and the captop star is mother-of-pearl. Medium 18K rhodium-plated gold nib, large 149 size, etched with Chaplin's accoutrements. Outer box, lacquered wood display box, booklet. Limited Edition: 65/88. Excellent condition, not inked.

[Kid Parker]

Two sealed Montblanc Artisan Editions...

 

MONTBLANC: Leonardo da Vinci 18K Gold Limited Edition Skeleton Fountain Pen * SEALED, 2013. Estimate: 14,000-18,000

 

This pen, featuring one of Montblanc's most inventive designs, honors Leonardo da Vinci. Solid 18K rose gold with ruthenium-plated fittings, clip with diamond-studded rotating gear, captop features hidden view of a mirror reflecting concealed Montblanc star emblem. This pen had low distribution outside of Europe and is seldom found on the secondary market. Medium 18K gold nib engraved with bat wing motif inspired by Leonardo's sketches. Outer box, inner box, inlaid wood display box, booklet. Limited Edition: 45/74. Excellent condition, untouched, box still sealed in the original shrinkwrap.

 

MONTBLANC: Genghis Khan 18K Gold Limited Edition 88 Fountain Pen * SEALED, c.2013. Estimate: $14,000-18,000

 

Genghis Khan, the legendary Mongolian warlord, unified the rival nomadic tribes of central Asia and established the largest contiguous empire in history. This pen pays tribute to the warlord with numerous details: the clip suggests the recurve bows used by Khan's warriors; the cap is inspired by their helmets; the scales suggest their armor; the 18K gold fittings recall their ornate weapons; the olive wood endpiece reflects their wooden arrowheads. Medium 18K gold nib engraved with an eagle, symbol of Genghis Khan's army. Outer box, inner box, wood display box, booklet. Limited Edition: 45/88. Excellent condition, untouched, box still sealed in the original shrinkwrap.

 

[Kid Parker]

Hi gang,

 

Just a reminder: it's easy to register to bid with PBA. Anyone who registers will automatically be sent a copy of the catalogue for the following sale (December 6th). Here's a link to the online catalogue:

 

https://www.pbagalleries.com/view-auctions/catalog/id/454/?page=1

 

If you have fine modern or vintage pens to consign please contact me for an auction evaluation: ivan@pbagalleries.com

[Kid Parker]

MONTEGRAPPA: Bruce Lee Dragon Sterling Silver Limited Edition Fountain Pen, 2010. Estimate: $2000-3000

 

Montegrappa honors one of the greatest icons of the 20th century with this Bruce Lee fountain pen, created in 2010 in honor of the martial arts legend's 70th birthday. The design was adapted from Montegrappa's original Dragon design, the company's most successful pen, and has itself achieved iconic status in the pen world. Cinnamon-veined red celluloid, heavy sterling silver dragon overlay, ruby eyes, Yin-Yang captop device. Medium 18K two-tone gold nib engraved with silhouette of Bruce Lee. Outer box, inner box, black lacquered wood display box, velvet drawstring bag, brocaded red silk pen sleeve, booklet, certificate. Limited Edition: 132/888. Excellent condition, not inked.

 

Edited June 29, 2018 by Kid Parker

[Kid Parker]

Or for something really rare...

 

MONTEGRAPPA: Bruce Lee Dragon Sterling Silver "Bamboo" [black Celluloid] Limited Edition Rollerball Pen * ONE OF TWO MADE, 2010. Estimate: $3000-5000

 

Montegrappa created its Bruce Lee Dragon pen in 2010 in honor of the martial arts legend's 70th birthday. The original design, in red celluloid overlaid with sterling silver, was adapted from Montegrappa's highly successful Dragon design, and quickly achieved iconic status in the pen world. This special "Bamboo" version was produced in an ultra-limited edition of two fountain pens and two rollerballs. These rare variants were never available through regular retail channels and were sold privately by Montegrappa to their most exclusive clientele. They are among the rarest limited editions ever made. This is the first time that one of these variants has been offered publicly.

Black celluloid with silver-grey veins, sterling silver dragon overlay, sapphire eyes, sapphires set into captop Yin-Yang emblem. Outer box, inner box, black lacquered wood display box lined with brocaded red silk, velvet drawstring bag, brocaded red silk pen sleeve, booklet, certificate (numbered "0"). Limited Edition: One of two rollerball examples made; this one is numbered "0". Excellent condition, not inked.

[Kid Parker]

MONTEGRAPPA: Cosmos Enigma 18K Gold Limited Edition Fountain Pen, 2002. Estimate: $1500-2000

 

An interesting pen featuring motifs reflecting philosophical questions about man's place in creation. Solid 18K gold with enamel & iridescent resin. 18K two-tone gold nib. Outer box, inner box, cylindrical wood and acetate display box, folder with booklet, service guide, guarantee card. Limited Edition: 069/100. Excellent condition, not inked.

[Kid Parker]

MONTEGRAPPA: Aphrodite 18K Gold Limited Edition Fountain Pen, 1997. Estimate: $3500-4500

 

Tribute to the Greek goddess of love, beauty and pleasure, with a sculptural and elaborate 18K solid rose gold overlay depicting Aphrodite and Adonis, mother-of-pearl panels, two pearls, and black ebonite body. One of Montegrappa's earliest and most emblematic limited editions. Medium 18k two-tone gold nib. Outer box, clamshell display box, booklet, certificate. Limited Edition: 57/188. Very fine condition, ebonite toned to chocolate brown, not inked.

Edited June 29, 2018 by Kid Parker

[Kid Parker]

Looking for a thinking man's pen? This one's a no-brainer:

 

MONTEGRAPPA: Brain Sterling Silver Limited Edition Fountain Pen, 2012. Estimate: $2500-3500

 

Undoubtedly one of the most interesting pen designs of the modern limited era, this instrument was created by Montegrappa in collaboration with Dr. Richard Restak, a foremost expert in the field of neurology. The result is a tribute to the human brain, that most enigmatic of organs, with an emphasis on the curious connection between man's psychic and physical natures. Fine 18K gold nib engraved with a seahorse, an allusion to the hippocampus, a major component in the brains of vertebrates. Outer sleeve, outer box, wood display box, pen holder, hardcover book, booklet, certificate. Limited Edition: 449/1012. Excellent condition, has been inked.

 

[Kid Parker]

Or perhaps something more subdued?

 

MONTEGRAPPA: Chaos Sterling Silver Limited Edition Fountain Pen, 2011. Estimate: $3500-4500

 

A collaboration between Sylvester Stallone and Montegrappa, the Chaos pen features an elaborate hand-finished sterling silver overlay seething with a phantasmagoria of emblems of disorder, with a skull, a sword, a fist, and reptilian forms embodying the concept of chaos. The overlay is detailed with yellow enamel representing fire set against a pearlescent black celluloid body; the overall effect is rather striking. Medium 18K gold nib. Outer box, wood display box, leather pen sleeve, folder with booklet, service guide. Limited Edition: 200/1000. Excellent condition, not inked.

 

[Kid Parker]

Silver:

 

MONTEGRAPPA: White Nights Sterling Silver Limited Edition Fountain Pen, 2003. Estimate: $2000-3000

 

Inspired by the natural atmospheric phenomenon that causes summer nights in St. Petersburg to glow with brilliant celestial light. White, red & blue enamel inlaid with sterling silver. Medium 18K two-tone gold nib engraved with coat-of-arms motif. Outer box, pearlescent resin display box inset with metal coat-of-arms, chamois, white leather pen sleeve, booklet, usage guide. Limited Edition: 1031/1305. Excellent condition, not inked.

Edited June 29, 2018 by Kid Parker

[Kid Parker]

And gold:

 

MONTEGRAPPA: White Nights 18K Gold Limited Edition Fountain Pen * PREMIERE EXAMPLE, 2003. Estimate: $5500-7500

 

Inspired by the natural atmospheric phenomenon that causes summer nights in St. Petersburg to glow with brilliant celestial light. White, red & blue enamel inlaid with solid 18K yellow gold. Fine 18K two-tone gold nib engraved with coat-of-arms motif. Outer box, pearlescent resin display box inset with metal coat-of-arms, white leather pen sleeve, booklet (numbered "0/42"), usage guide. Excellent condition, not inked.

Except for the rare PdA ("Prova d'Autore") artist's proofs that Montegrappa created for some of their most exclusive designs, the No. 0 limitations are the company's most desirable iterations, and were only offered to Montegrappa's most esteemed VIP clients. The are almost impossible to obtain. Limited Edition: No. 0, preceding the regular limited edition of 42 examples.

[Kid Parker]

Here's a fun lot to dream about over the weekend. We'll upload more comprehensive online photos to our website soon...

 

[MISC. VINTAGE]: Lot of Approx. 250 Fountain Pens, 1920s-1990s. Estimate: $400-600

Lot of approx. 250 instruments, mostly fountain pens. Black hard rubber, plastic and other materials. Various makers including Parker, Waterman, two Montblancs (one being a Meisterstück No. 134 in poor condition), Conway Stewart, Wahl-Eversharp, Sheaffer, Dunhill, others. Fun lot, a wonderful opportunity for treasure hunters and conservators. Varying condition, many black hard rubber pens oxidized, brassing and corrosion to many gold-plated components, most pens with stickers or sticker residue, some pens broken, none of the pens tested internally, lot offered as-is.

[Kid Parker]

MONTBLANC: Masters for Meisterstuck L'Aubrac Precious Wood Fountain Pen with Folding Knife *SEALED, 2012. Estimate: $1800-2400

Handcrafted from precious grenadille wood reflecting the veteran manufacturing techniques of the Forge de Laguiole. Platinum-plated clip, sterling silver fittings, mother-of-pearl captop star. This pen was purchased from the Montblanc Boutique in Dubai, which is one of the premium Montblanc outlets, and it is accompanied by a specially-produced grenadille-handled folding Laguiole knife. This is an exclusive extra only available to a small number of Montblanc clients. Medium 18K gold nib engraved with 4810 emblem. Outer box, inner box, wood display box, booklet, Laguiole folding knife in box with leaflet. Excellent condition, pen still sealed in original plastic sheathe.

[Kid Parker]

MONTBLANC: Meisterstück 149 President Barack Obama Inaugural "Yes We Can" Fountain Pen: One of 100 Made, 2009. Estimate: 1000-1500

Black resin Meisterstück, 18K gold-plated trim, large 149 size. Gilt-engraved with President Obama's campaign slogan "Yes, We Can 1/20/2009" in Mr. Obama's own cursive. Broad 18K two-tone gold nib, Diplomat size. Outer box, Meisterstück 149 display box, service booklet, original Montblanc certificate and receipt. No ink bottle. Limited Edition: one of 100 made (Serial No. MS1534713). The pen's unique serial number, engraved on the clip ring, matches the number stated on the certificate, which is printed on watermarked Montblanc letterhead. The receipt indicates that the pen was sold at the Montblanc Boutique at Copley Place, Boston on November 5, 2009. Excellent condition, unused.