Collectors of fine writing instruments will be awaiting a 30 November Bonhams auction in London where a set of 12 original vintage Dunhill-Namiki pens will go up on sale. For a luxury pen collector, this is a unique opportunity to acquire a precious fountain pen set from the 1930s. Japanese pen-maker Namiki has always provided stunning designs. And the association with Alfred Dunhill is a further guarantee that these are no ordinary pens. In the past, Dunhill’s experiments with pens have been showcased in such fine models as the spectacular Dunhill Explorer Pen.
These 12 Dunhill-Namiki pens trace their origins to the 1920s. The barrels were made during this time. Namiki had originally begun doing business as a maker of gold fountain pen nibs. In 1925, the founders came up with a patented process of applying lacquer to protect pens against scratches and fading. In 1926, Namiki adopted an ancient Japanese method of Maki-e to dust precious metals into wet lacquer. The first pens to use these processes were sold in Dunhill, Paris under the Dunhill-Namiki brand name. The pens proved successful, and in 1930, an official partnership was forged between the two brands.
The set of 12 Dunhill-Namiki pens are estimated to fetch between $155,000 and $230,000 at the auction. Other highlights include two Namiki Emperor Pens. The Emperor ‘Kingfisher’ Pen is inspired by Japanese haiku. Meanwhile, the Emperor ‘Turtle’ Pen is based on a Japanese folk tale. Each pen is expected to fectch around $70,000 to $85,000. None of these will be any match for the world’s most expensive pen. But whether you are able to see a limited edition Montegrappa pen or a tourbillon pen is another matter. Consider waiting for the NYC pen show in that case.
Via: Classic Driver
