A SILVER Montblanc fountain pen once owned by Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew sold for S$461,500 on Sunday, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate after attracting 111 bids from around the world.
The pen, custom-engraved "SM Lee Kuan Yew", was offered by Singapore auction house Hotlotz in an online auction that began on Aug 4.
The Straits Times reported that its final price was nearly 10 times the S$30,000 to S$50,000 pre-sale estimate.
The sterling silver Montblanc Meisterstück No. 146, featuring gold-tone details and an 18K gold nib, dates to Lee's years as Senior Minister from 1990 to 2004, following his 31-year tenure as prime minister.
The pen was previously sold for S$52,000 at Sotheby's "The Lee Kuan Yew Family Collection" auction in July 2003.
That landmark sale raised S$2.04 million for charity. A black Waterman fountain pen used by Lee to sign the 1957 Singapore Constitutional Agreement in London fetched S$350,000, with the buyer identified only as an anonymous businessman.
The 1957 agreement laid the groundwork for Singapore's move towards self-government.
Lee's Montblanc was the highlight of Hotlotz's "Interiors & Collectibles – August, Fine Art Focus" auction, which also delivered strong results for several Singaporean artworks.
A painting by pioneer Singaporean artist Chua Mia Tee, Singapore Chinatown, Temple Street (1976), sold for S$107,900 after receiving 58 bids.
The result set a new auction record for the late social-realist artist and surpassed his previous record of S$97,600, achieved by Prosperity (2023) on Jan 14, 2023.
Chua died on July 10 at the age of 94.
Meanwhile, a stoneware vase by master potter and Cultural Medallion recipient Iskandar Jalil fetched S$12,350 after attracting 25 bids.
The veteran ceramicist was conferred the Distinguished Service Order during the National Day Awards on Aug 9. - August 17, 2026
