Help identifying a pilot maki-e pen

[gwid]

I got offered this pen , but I couldn't find the exact model anywhere.

the nib is 1997 (A397 engraved) pilot number 10 18K gold

I found some similar namikis , buy not exactly the same artwork

any further info and estimated value will be greatly appreciated. These pens go from a couple of hundreds (with smaller 14k nibs) to thousands (namiki mostly) pretty quick.

the pen seems new , metal (brass maybe) under the lacquer and came in the original box with an unopened ink bottle but without papers

thanks 

[PithyProlix]

The artist is Gen [元] (Gen Takamura [高村元]). I searched a bit for Pilot maki-e pens with sakura flowers and couldn't find it.

[gwid]

Thanks! I found the same artwork under the Namiki brand , same artist , and same nib size

 

https://ibericapens.com/en/product/namiki-yukari-size-raden-of-the-four-seasons-fountain-pen/

 

the descriptions is generic and the name seems off: yukari size seems part of the model , raden is the technique with mollusk shell pieces used on the black flowers and four seasons sounds more like a collection than a model.

google searches only shows this pen (even the same pictures).

 

I didn't know that pilot branded the namiki yukari collection ..

 

What do yo think a fair price would be on this pen? the pilot taka new goes for about 1000 usd , and this namiki went for 3500 usd

but namiki is usually more expensive than pilot , even if is the same pen/artwok , right?

[PithyProlix]

Discussing prices/values is iffy re: FPN rules so I hesitate to discuss them. Here's some general information.

 

There are others here who know a lot more than me. Unless I get lucky, a pen like that is out of my 'affordability range' so it's not one I'm familiar with.

 

Namiki is part of the Pilot Corporation. Namiki has their highest end pens but there are some Pilot branded pens, generally limited anniversary editions, that are very high end too. I can't recall any Pilots & Namikis that share the same artwork and am not sure why this pen is branded 'Pilot'. The nib of the one at Iberica Pens looks like a Pilot nib but with the Namiki name. I think the pens under the Namiki brand are roughly comparable but note that there's very little raden work on the pen and what's there is simple. 

 

If this is a pen you plan to keep there are intangibles like whether or not the artwork is attractive to you, is the nib size one you will use, etc.

 

 

 

[gwid]

thanks again , I will try to keep it if possible , the artwork is detailed , with good texture and I really like it.

It is really a high quality urushi pen but I am not willing to pay anywhere close to the namiki price , hopefully I can get it at the price of a used regular pilot maki-e fountain pen