SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- Bonhams' auction of Fine Writing Instruments achieved $1.17 million and sold more than 90 percent of its lots by value and 89 percent by lot on December 15 in San Francisco.

The 311-lot auction featured property from various noteworthy collections that attracted participants from 26 countries and brought spirited bidding in the auction room, over the phones and online.

Namiki pens performed particularly well in the sale. A pre-Dunhill Mountain Pavilion Maki-e Fountain Pen by Shogo from the 1920s soared past its $10,000-20,000 pre-sale estimate to achieve $76,250. Another example, a Pre-Dunhill Woman in Kimono Maki-e Fountain Pen by Shogo from the 1920s, brought $37,500, past a $3,000-5,000 estimate. Additional stand-out Namiki's included a rare Pre-Dunhill Geisha Maki-e and Aogai Propelling Pencil, circa 1928-30, that sold for $21,250 and a Thunder God vs Wind God Emperor Limited Edition 90 Fountain Pen that realized $14,375.

Dunhill-Namiki's also brought strong results, with many bidders taking interest in a fine collection of vintage examples of maki-e pencils from a West Coast gentleman. Dunhill-Namiki highlights included a rare Rakucho and Cherry Blossoms Maki-e Fountain Pen by Koho, circa 1935, sold for $47,500, ahead of a $10,000-20,000 estimate. Closely following its lead, a rare Set of four Maki-e Bridge Pencils with its original lacquer box, circa 1930, brought $37,500, past a 10,000-20,000 estimate. Also of note, a Shrike Maki-e Fountain Pen by Shogo, circa 1930s, took in $32,500, ahead of a $5,000-8,000 estimate and a Butterflies and Flower Basket Maki-e and Raden Fountain Pen, circa 1930s, brought $18,750, past a $4,000-8,000 estimate.

Montblanc examples in the auction included excellent Special Editions from a European gentleman whose goal was to amass a tightly-focused selection of Montblanc's best pens. Top highlights of Montblancs included a White House 18K White Gold Skeleton Limited Edition 43 Fountain Pen that achieved $19,375; a Frida Kahlo 18K Solid Gold Skeleton Cap Limited Edition 70 Fountain Pen that sold for $18,750; a Statue of Liberty Limited Edition 50 Fountain Pen that realized $17,500; and a Max Reinhardt Young Directors Project 2012 Winner Pen Limited Edition 1 Fountain Pen that fetched $16,875.

Another mentionable lot in the sale was a Parker No. 60 Awanyu "Aztec" Gold-Filled Fountain Pen in its original box, circa 1911, that achieved $25,000. The pen is widely regarded as the rarest, most significant and desirable Parker pen ever made.

Also of note, many Pelikan examples from the Seewoester Collection of Fine Pelikans were offered. Mr. Eckhard Seewoester was an executive at Pelikan for almost 40 years. During his employment, he collected Pelikan instruments and by his retirement his collection of modern Pelikans had developed into perhaps the most comprehensive in the world. Highlights in the sale included a Mubyo & Takara-Zukushi Maki-e Limited Edition 60 Fountain Pen Set by Musyu that brought $16,250; a Genji Maki-e Limited Edition 60 Fountain Pen Set by Musyu that sold for $16,250; and a lot comprising approximately 170 fountain pens, rollerballs, ballpoints & propelling pencils in 10 Pelikan cases that achieved $15,000.

The Director of the Fine Writing Instruments Department at Bonhams, Ivan Briggs, commented of the sale, "The market for fine pens continues to grow, with demand for Namiki pens leading the way. Exceptional vintage Namiki maki-e lacquer instruments are truly miniature masterpieces, and the incredible response to our sale reflects the high esteem in which these pens and pencils are held."

He added, "Our strongest result was for an exquisite early Namiki pen from the 1920s by master artisan Shogo, pre-dating Namiki’s famous partnership with Dunhill. This A-grade example was found by our consignor at an estate sale, and the discovery generated huge enthusiasm among seasoned Namiki fanciers. The resulting price is the highest auction value achieved in America for a vintage Namiki.”