High-Value Fountain Pens
Imagine if a pen cost you thousands of pounds instead of ten bucks or less. Such a value would seem exorbitant for a small, common instrument. Yet, there are significant pens that do fetch high prices – and many agree that they are worth the money. This is common among fountain pens. Scarcity, material and craftsmanship determine the price that is placed on a pen.
Certain fountain pens are rare because they are released in limited numbers. Several manufacturers produce “limited edition” pens annually. Stocks come by hundreds or by a couple of thousands. Some of these pens actually increase in value over the years, given that they become highly sought after and are kept in mint condition. They might be desired by buyers because of their rare design or their historic significance.
Vintage fountain pens can also be sold or auctioned at high prices. This may be because they were created using a style and materials reminiscent of a certain era. It may also be because they were made during a very memorable and important historical event. Some vintage pens are highly valued because they were made for a certain person or created by a manufacturing company that is no longer in existence. Others may be pioneer stocks of certain types and styles of fountain pens.
Material is another element that makes certain fountain pens so pricey. Most precious pens have nibs made of pure gold. This is because gold does not easily corrode. Also, gold is valuable and beautiful. The casing of fountain pens might be made of silver, ivory or wood. It may even contain a precious gemstone or two.
One of the most alluring factors of fountain pens is that they can come in wonderful designs. Most limited editions feature stunning craftsmanship, making the pens desirable. Some artists place their signatures on the casing of a pen.
The Japanese maki-e fountain pen combines all three factors of scarcity, material and craftsmanship. Today, many collectors search hard for maki-e pens that were manufactured in Japan before World War II. These historically significant pens have casings designed with gold, silver and other precious materials. The designs are elaborate and full of detail. Today, manufacturers design pens using the maki-e technique, but investors and collectors know that value lies in the real vintages. They also carefully predict which modern pens will increase in value over the years.
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