A rare Parker Awanyu Aztec pen, valued at $40,000-80,000, is to headline a sale of fine writing instruments at Bonhams on December 18 in New York.

The pen's design was inspired by a trip George S Parker took to Mexico in 1910

The Parker number 60 Awanyu Aztec gold-filled fountain pen dates to 1911, and is one of just a handful known to exist.

The design came about as a result of a journey Parker's founder, George S Parker, took to Mexico, and features a mix of Aztec and Native American motifs.

The Awanyu in the pen's title refers to an Aztec design that he discovered there and appropriated.

In 2000, a sterling silver example sold for £54,300 ($87,895) at Bonhams London.

A Watermans Three Snakes sterling silver fountain pen is another notable lot, valued at $25,000-35,000. It features six green emerald eyes and is the only recorded example.

Three limited edition pens from Montegrappa will be offered, including an artist's proof Dragon 18k yellow gold and brilliant white-cut diamonds fountain pen that carries an estimate of $70,000-100,000.

A Dragon Mediterranean blue celluloid with 18k yellow gold and blue sapphires pen could make $60,000-100,000. A Dragon cinnamon and red celluloid and sterling silver rollerball, thought to be one of a kind, is valued at $30,000-50,000.

Ivan Briggs, director of fine writing instruments at Bonhams, commented: "Demand for rare and unusual fountain pens, both modern and vintage, is escalating rapidly, with interest in Russia and Asia especially strong.

"To meet this high interest level, we are previewing 20 of our most spectacular pens in Hong Kong in November, including some quite rare and important vintage Parkers, Watermans and Montblancs."

All 260 lots come from the same single-owner collection, which will be sold off in a number of auctions over the coming months.

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