A VINTAGE CARTIER PEN AND PROPELLING PENCIL SET, 14 CARAT GOLD, ca. 1950

New York, USA, each with hallmark '14k' and signature 'Cartier', one with serial number '3456'
Makers box, handwritten label by Neil Marrs

Early and complete pen and propelling pencil sets from this period are extremely rare, as indicated by the low serial number and an inquiry at Cartier New York, which confirmed that the house does not hold this set in their own archives. The design shows abstracted bamboo segments held together by miniature rivets. Both can be unscrewed easily to release the pencil lead and ball pen for exchange.

Weight: 48,7 grams
Dimensions: Length 10.2 cm (both have exactly the same length)
Condition: Both pen and pencil come in perfect working condition and show only minor wear
Insurance value: This set of pen and pencil was recently appraised with an insurance replacement value of 7.500,- Euro; the original certificate will be handed to the winning bidder
Provenance: Austrian private collection
Literature recommendation: Cf. F. Chaille, Cartier Creative Writing, Paris, Flammarion, 2000, front piece for pen and pp. 103-107 for pencil.

Auction result comparison: FINE JEWELS, Sotheby's, 14 DECEMBER 2017, GENEVA, lot 561. (compare with a single propelling pen of similar design) GENTLEMAN'S LIBRARY SALE. Bonham's, 19 January 2011, LONDON, lot 110. (compare with another Cartier 'bamboo' pencil from the estate of the private secretary of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor)