I'm a novice collector and relatively new to FPN but I'm hoping you can help - my insurance company wants some proof of value on two of my fountain pens - the 75th anniversary rose gold #149 and the Marcel Proust collector's edition.

I've had both these pens for ages - don't know why they need this info now, but hey, I'd like to get replacement cost if the house burned down. I haven't seen either of them on EBay and don't know how else to get current value.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

For insurance claims, you need the written opinion of a professional in the business or your claim may not be respected when you need it most. A professional appraiser would be someone who has had their opinion accepted before, such as in court proceedings or in tax matters. Make enquiries starting with dealers in vintage pens, such as Bert Heiserman of Pen Haven, though he may be very busy. They will give you leads.

Of course, if the pens are still available new, then the replacement cost is the new price at the time you make your claim.

Fred

Can't they just ask Mont Blanc?

Brad

I dont know about the Rose gold, but here is a proust that just ended... http://cgi.ebay.com/Limited-Ed-MONTBLANC-F...1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks for the ideas and the links to the other Proust pens....

I tried to post earlier, but apparently it didn't make it. There is a previous thread on valuing pens for insurance claim purposes. See, http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...ic=36498&hl=

Your situation is a little different in that it appears that you are being asked for a valuation pre-loss. One way or the other, you must have informed your insurer of your expensive pens and they are now angling to create an exclusion or raise your premium. It would probably be a good idea for anyone with pens (or a collection) worth more than $500 or so to pull their insurance policy and take at look at what types of coverages available. Sometimes the overall limit is pretty low to cover a house full of goods. As well, there may be exclusions for 'collections' (although that would be rare) or for individual pieces of personal property worth in excess of 'x' dollars if not individually disclosed and listed.

It would certainly add insult to injury to run into a hassle with your insurance company if you were subjected to the loss of your pens.

You're absolutely right. I already have a rider policy covering certain personal articles that are worth more than is covered under the general homeowners policy. But as typically happens, time flies and it needs to be updated. When I went to do this, they asked fro proof of value on these particular pens (though I have several others that they didn't question - go figure.)

So with the Forum's kind help, I now have info on the Proust but am still looking for documentation on my Rose Gold 75th Anniversary 149.

I don't know if it helps but on the last pen show in Germany (7. June) in Nuremberg I saw a 149 from the limited 75th Anniversary 1924 edition in Rose Gold for 800.00 Euro (which is 1240.00 US$) without box and papers . . .

Best regards,
Axel

Thanks!

Maybe a "firebox" for your collection would be a good investment

That certainly never occurred to me! Of course, then I don't get to look at them all the time - I'm a user, not a hoarder.