Bonhams & Butterfields is holding its first auction exclusively dedicated to modern Montblanc writing instruments on February 15, 2010.
The sale will contain more than 130 lots of exceptional pens, with a focus on the Writer's Editions, Patron of the Arts and 333 series.
Several of the more limited items include the highly sought after Black Widow and Diego Rivera editions, mostly coming from the Ron Renaud Collection.
 The Thomas Jefferson fountain pen ($21k-24k) |
Offered on President's Day, and timed to coincide with the annual Los Angeles International Pen Show, the auction will offer examples from several of the major Montblanc categories, including rarely seen pens, like the George Washington and Texas Ateliers Skeleton pen in solid gold.
A preview will be held at Bonhams & Butterfields' Sunset Boulevard galleries on February 12-14, select highlights will also be on display at the Los Angeles International Pen Show in Manhattan Beach, California on February 11-14.
"This auction is undoubtedly one of the largest and most complete offerings of modern Montblanc writing instruments to be publicly offered in recent years," said Rick Propas, Fine Pens Consultant for Bonhams & Butterfields.
"It will bring together some of the finest contemporary examples of refined craftsmanship and technical mastery in calligraphic instruments created by the leading masters in this field.
"The auction will include several rare and highly sought after examples, several of which have not been available in the secondary market before this offering."
A major highlight from the sale comes from the America's Signature Series.
 A Magical Black Widow Skeleton Limited Edition 88 Fountain Pen ($18k-24k) |
Estimated at $21,000-24,000, the Thomas Jefferson fountain pen is constructed in an unusual octagonal shape in homage to his Virginia home, Monticello.
Inspired by third President of the United States, the instrument is decorated with solid gold rings as well as petrified wood inlays that represent Jefferson's commitment to nature and Monticello.
The clip bears a mandarin garnet and is engraved with a portrait of the former President.
Montblanc's tribute to Asia, a Magical Black Widow Skeleton limited edition 88 fountain Pen will also sell, estimated at $18,000-24,000.
Encased by a web of white gold, the instrument features a filigree spider studded with black diamonds on the clip.
In some countries, the spider is seen as a symbol of luck in honour of the lucky spider, whose figure-of-eight shaped body symbolises infinity.
Montblanc produced only 88 of these beautiful pens.
The sale itself takes place on February 15 in Los Angeles, with previews from February 12 to14 at Bonhams & Butterfields in Los Angeles.
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