Lee Kuan Yew's Montblanc pen sells for S$461,500 at auction

A sterling silver Montblanc Meisterstück No. 146 fountain pen once owned by Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew sold for S$461,500 at an auction held by Hotlotz. The sale, which concluded on August 16, attracted 111 global bids and significantly exceeded the initial pre-sale estimate of S$30,000 to S$50,000.

The writing instrument is engraved with “SM Lee Kuan Yew” and features gold-tone highlights with an 18K gold nib. It dates back to his tenure as Senior Minister between 1990 and 2004. This item previously appeared at a Sotheby’s charity auction in 2003, where it sold for S$52,000.

The auction also saw record-breaking results for Singaporean art. A 1976 painting titled “Singapore Chinatown, Temple Street” by the late artist Chua Mia Tee sold for S$107,900, surpassing its estimated value and setting a new auction record for the artist.