Instead of buying a package of pens for a couple of bucks at the store, enjoy luxurious writing with fountain pens. Fountain pens have been a symbol of elegance and refinement for centuries, used by writers, artists, and businessmen alike.
Depending on the material used, the name behind the pen, and the designs of each pen, some can be worth a small fortune. Although there are cheaper sets of fountain pens for beginners, these are the most expensive fountain pens for those who want to start, or grow, their collection.
14. Waterman 100 Patrician Fountain Pen, $500
The Waterman Man 100 Patrician Fountain Pen is a vintage pen that was produced in the 1930s. The pen is made from solid sterling silver and features an Art Deco design. This pen is highly collectible due to its rarity and historical significance. The average price you can come across for these pens is around $500 as they’re made with solid sterling silver and an 18-carat gold nib.
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13. Parker Duofold Lucky 8 Fountain Pen, $1,000
The Parker Duofold Lucky 8 Fountain Pen is a limited edition pen that was produced in only 88 pieces. The pen is made from solid gold and features a design inspired by the number 8, which is considered lucky in many cultures. The average price for this pen on secondary marketplaces is roughly $1,000 with its 18-carat gold make and nib.
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12. Montegrappa Aphrodite Limited Edition, $1,062
Montegrappa is responsible for one of the most expensive fountain pens, with their limited edition Aphrodite-style fountain pen coming a little over $1,000. The sterling silver pen has pearlescent panels, two cultured pearls, an 18-carat gold nib, and a shell-shaped display box. These pens were made back in 1912 and can be found on secondary marketplaces or auctions like Bonhams.
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11. Curtis Great Race Limited Edition, $1,187
Another iconic design that is perfect for collectors is this Curtis Great Race fountain pen, one of the most expensive fountain pens with a price of over $1,100. The pen commemorates the 100th anniversary in 2008 of The Great Race, a motorcar event. The pen is made with sterling silver and a cap with details depicting the three winning automobiles of the 1908 premiere event. These pens only have 500 total created.
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10. Dragon Studios Squid Limited Edition, $2,375
A unique, and still one of the most expensive fountain pens, that you can still grab is this Squid-style pen from Dragon Studios. This limited edition pen is one of 88 pens in total, with a hand-crafted sterling silver cap and overlay resembling a squid, made with a marbled deep blue acrylic barrel, sapphire eyes, gold nib, and metal display box. The writing instrument was inspired by Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Beneath the Sea.
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9. Cartier Art Deco Prestige Limited Edition, $2,000
Cartier is known for their luxury products, from accessories to clothing to jewelry. Of course, they also have a line of writing instruments, like this stunning fountain pen for $2,000. The pen is Chinoiserie-inspired reflecting Asian influence on Art Deco. It’s made with tampered black enamel with palladium clip, fittings, and ornate inlaid design. It’s another limited edition item with only 888 pens produced.
8. Pelikan Souveran M1000 Raden Fountain Pen, $3,500
The Pelikan Souveran M1000 Raden Fountain Pen is a unique pen that features a traditional Japanese Raden technique. The pen is made from solid gold and features a stunning black and silver design. Only a limited number of these pens were produced, making them highly sought after by collectors and one of the most expensive fountain pens we could find.
7. Tibaldi Bentley Crewe Fountain Pen,$6,000
The Tibaldi Bentley Crewe Fountain Pen is a tribute to the luxury car brand. The pen is made from solid silver and features a design inspired by Bentley’s iconic grille, worth as high as $6,000. The pen also comes with a Bentley key ring and leather pouch. The pen itself is made out of solid gold with an 18-carat gold nib, fit for luxurious collections.
6. Namiki Emperor Dragon Pen, $10,000
The Namiki Emperor Dragon Pen is a stunning fountain pen that features a dragon design. The pen is made from solid gold and features intricate hand-painted designs. Only 18 of these pens were produced, making them highly collectible. Along with their scarcity, the pens are also made from solid gold with a gold nib, with an estimated value of $10,000 currently.
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5. Visconti Alchemy H.R.H. Limited Edition Fountain Pen, $17,000
The Visconti Alchemy H.R.H. Limited Edition Fountain Pen is a tribute to the Prince of Wales. The pen is made from solid gold and features a diamond-encrusted cap. Only 38 pens were produced, making them a highly coveted collector’s item. Not only that, but the pen has over 650 diamonds totaling 6.2 carats.
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4. Omas Phoenix Platinum, $43,000
The Omas Phoenix Platinum is a unique fountain pen that features a phoenix design. The pen is made from solid platinum and features intricate engravings. Only 300 of these pens were produced, making them a rare find.
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3. Montblanc Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81, $300,000
The Montblanc Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81 is a tribute to the late Prince Rainier III of Monaco. The pen is made from solid white gold and features a diamond-encrusted clip. Only 81 pens were produced, making this a highly sought-after collector’s item.
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2. Caran d’Ache Gothica Pen, $406,000
The Caran d’Ache Gothica Pen is a limited edition pen that was produced in only 10 pieces. Each pen is handcrafted from solid silver and features intricate Gothic designs. The pen also has a removable silver skull that can be worn as a ring.
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1. Aurora Diamante, $1.47 million
The Aurora Diamante is the most expensive fountain pen in the world, with a price tag of $1.47 million. The pen is made from solid platinum and features over 30 carats of diamonds, including a large diamond on the cap. Only one Aurora Diamante has ever been produced, making it a truly one-of-a-kind piece.
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Why Are These Pens So Expensive?
These fountain pens are among the most expensive fountain pens in the world for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the materials used in their construction are often precious and high-quality, such as solid gold, platinum, and sterling silver. These materials not only add to the aesthetic beauty of the pen but also contribute to its durability and longevity.
Secondly, the craftsmanship that goes into creating these pens is often intricate and time-consuming. Skilled artisans may spend hundreds of hours designing and creating each pen by hand, ensuring that every detail is perfect. This level of craftsmanship is not only rare but also adds to the exclusivity and value of the pen.
Thirdly, some of these fountain pens are limited edition or vintage, which makes them even rarer and more valuable. For example, the Montblanc Mystery Masterpiece fountain pen, which is one of the most expensive pens on the list, was only produced in a limited edition of three pens, making it incredibly rare and desirable to collectors.
Finally, the reputation and brand of the pen manufacturer also play a role in its price. Some manufacturers, such as Montblanc and Parker, have a long history and tradition of producing high-quality and luxury writing instruments, which adds to the perceived value of their pens.
Overall, these fountain pens are so expensive due to a combination of factors, including the high-quality materials used, intricate craftsmanship, rarity, and the reputation of the manufacturer. For collectors and enthusiasts, these pens are often considered a worthwhile investment due to their beauty, exclusivity, and historical significance.