Montblanc and Other Fountain Pens Worth Money at Auction

Most fountain pens sell for less than people hope, but some bring real money. Here is which Montblanc and other big name pens collectors pay for, and how to spot a fake.

SebastianCharles Auctions

Most fountain pens that turn up in a desk drawer sell for less than people hope. A few sell for much more. The difference usually comes down to the maker, whether it is a limited edition, what it is made of and whether the box and papers are still with it. Montblanc is the name most people know, but it is not the only one collectors pay for. Here is what to look for.

What our pen results look like

Here are real fountain pen results from our own sales:

• Montblanc Agatha Christie limited edition fountain pen: $1,100
• Cartier limited edition clock fountain pen: $950
• Fabergé limited edition fountain pen by Michel Perchin: $825
• S.T. Dupont Andalusia limited edition fountain pen: $700
• Montblanc 75th Anniversary fountain pen: $525
• Montblanc Meisterstück 149 with stand: $375
• Pelikan Souverän M600 with 14K nib: $250
• Montblanc Meisterstück 146: $200

Notice the pattern. The limited editions from the luxury houses led the list. The standard production pens, even good ones, landed in the low hundreds.

Montblanc

Montblanc was founded in 1906 and is based in Hamburg, Germany. It introduced the Meisterstück, German for "masterpiece," in 1924. The white star on the cap stands for the snow capped peak of Mont Blanc, and the number 4810 engraved on many nibs is the mountain's height in meters.

The two pens you see most often are the Meisterstück 149, the big flagship introduced in 1952, and the slightly smaller 146. Both are excellent pens, and both were made in large numbers, which is why they usually sell in the low hundreds.

The money is in the limited editions:

• Writers Editions. Montblanc started this series in 1992 with Hemingway. The 1993 Agatha Christie pen, with its sterling snake clip and ruby eyes, is one of the best known. A gold plated sterling version, called vermeil, was limited to 4,810 pieces.
• Patron of Art Editions. Also started in 1992. A Lorenzo de Medici Patron of Art pen sold at Bonhams in 2025 for $4,352.
• High jewelry and skeleton pieces. At the top end, very small editions in solid gold have set records. At a 2010 Bonhams sale, a Montblanc George Washington pen from an edition of 50 sold for $23,180.

The other big names

• Namiki and Dunhill Namiki. Japanese pens decorated in maki-e, a hand applied lacquer and gold technique. These are the most valuable pens in the market. A Dunhill Namiki maki-e dragon pen from about 1930 sold at Bonhams in London in 2000 for £183,000, a world record at the time.
• Parker. Parker introduced its Snake pen around 1906, the Duofold in 1921 and the Parker 51 in 1941. The Parker 51 is common and usually sells for under $100. An early Parker Snake sold at Swann Galleries for $5,520, and a rare 1911 Parker Aztec pen sold at Bonhams for £54,300.
• Waterman. An early American maker. The Art Deco Patrician from about 1928 to 1932 is a favorite. We sold a red marble Patrician for $240.
• Pelikan. A German company founded in 1838 as an ink and paint maker. Its first fountain pen came in 1929, and its Souverän line is a staple for collectors who write with their pens.
• Cartier, S.T. Dupont and Fabergé. Luxury houses whose limited editions sell well when complete with boxes and papers, as our results above show.
• Sailor, Pilot, Aurora, Omas and Visconti. Quality makers whose standard pens usually bring modest prices, with the best limited editions doing better.

What makes a fountain pen worth more

• A numbered limited edition. The edition number is usually engraved on the pen.
• The original box, papers and certificate. Collectors want the full package, and it often makes the biggest single difference on modern limited editions.
• Materials. A solid gold or sterling body beats gold plate. A gold nib, marked 14K, 18K, 585 or 750, beats steel.
• Condition. No cracks, no dents, no worn plating and a filling system that works.
• Hand work. Maki-e lacquer, hand engraving and enamel all add value.

What usually does not

• Ballpoints and rollerballs. Even from good makers, they usually sell for much less than fountain pens.
• Personal engraving. A name engraved on the barrel rarely adds value unless the name is famous.
• Gold plated pens without boxes. These are pleasant to use but plentiful.

How to tell a real Montblanc

Montblanc is also one of the most faked pen brands. Check these things:

• A serial number on the clip ring. Montblanc has used them since 1991. Older pens will not have one.
• The nib markings. A genuine gold nib carries 4810 and a gold mark such as 585 or 750, with 14C or 18C. A nib marked "Iridium Point Germany" is a warning sign.
• The star. The white star on the cap has six rounded points and sits cleanly inlaid.
• The weight and finish. Fakes often feel light and show sloppy rings and trim.

For a broader look at older pens, see our guide to what vintage fountain pens are worth. Pens often come out of the same drawer as inkwells and desk accessories, so read our guide to antique desk sets too.

Selling a pen collection

Do not try to clean, flush or repair a pen before you sell it. Gather any boxes, papers, certificates and receipts. Take photos of the whole pen, the nib, the clip and any numbers or markings. Then send them through our free estimate form. Sebastian reviews every inquiry personally. A single valuable pen can go to auction on its own, and a group of everyday pens often sells best together as a lot. You can see more of what we sell on our auction highlights page.