Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew’s fountain pen valued at US$23,000-US$39,000 up for auction

The engraved ‘SM Lee Kuan Yew’ Montblanc fountain pen was previously estimated to be worth several thousand dollars at a 2003 auction

Singapore auction house Hotlotz said on Wednesday that the pen, engraved “SM Lee Kuan Yew”, was previously sold at the Lee Kuan Yew Family Collection charity auction in July 2003.

Hotlotz has valued the silver Montblanc Meisterstuck No 146 fountain pen at S$30,000 (US$23,000) to S$50,000 (US$39,000). At the 2003 charity auction, it was estimated at S$4,000 to S$6,000.

Lee is widely regarded as the founding father of modern Singapore. He was prime minister when Singapore separated from Malaysia and held the post from 1959 to 1990, later holding the title of senior minister for 14 years until 2004.

He later became Singapore’s first and only minister mentor from August 2004 to May 2011 before stepping down from cabinet. Lee remained an MP until he died on March 23, 2015.