Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's Montblanc pen up for auction again in Singapore
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A silver Montblanc fountain pen owned by Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew is being auctioned.
- The pen, engraved with "SM Lee Kuan Yew," was previously sold at a charity auction in 2003.
- Bidding has reached S$41,000 (US$32,000) for the pen, which is part of a larger Interiors & Collectibles auction.
A silver Montblanc Meisterstuck fountain pen once belonging to Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew is once again available to collectors, this time through an online auction. The pen, engraved with "SM Lee Kuan Yew," dates back to his tenure as Senior Minister.
This particular writing instrument was previously sold at The Lee Kuan Yew Family Collection charity auction in July 2003. The Montblanc Meisterstuck No. 146 is a piston-filling fountain pen known for its gold-plated trim and distinctive white snowcap emblem on the cap. Depending on its edition and condition, such models typically retail between US$500 and over US$2,500.
The pen is a highlight of Hotlotz's Interiors & Collectibles โ August: Fine Art Focus timed online auction, which commenced on Tuesday, August 4. As of the time of reporting, the pen had attracted at least 19 bids, with the highest bid reaching S$41,000 (approximately US$32,000).
In addition to Lee Kuan Yew's pen, the auction features works by prominent Singaporean artists, including ink paintings by Lim Tze Peng, Chua Mia Tee's "Singapore Chinatown," Chen Wen Hsi's "Gibbons," and a stoneware piece by master ceramist Iskandar Jalil. Interested bidders can view Lee Kuan Yew's pen and other auction items in person at the Hotlotz saleroom in Bukit Merah. Bidding is set to close on August 16 at 6 p.m.
Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.