Limited Editions - Are Lower Numbers Worth More?

[kozmokr]

let's say that a series of 1000 pens is issued. Will pen number 41/1000 be worth more in the future than pen number 841/1000? Or does it have no significance whatsoever?

 

My Jonathan Swift set is such a number, and although there were 1100 sets, the 2 digit pens are labeled (on the box) out of an 100. i.e. 41/100. Should it be worth more than the exact same set labeled 841/1000?

 

 

[tfwall]

I wouldn't count on it.

 

Maybe if you can get #1, 8, 88, 888 or one of the unnumbered prototypes, you might be able to get a little more in some markets, but I wouldn't count on it being worth significantly more. Certainly not enough to make tracking these numbers down if you can't do so with minimal effort.

Edited July 9, 2015 by Chemyst

[jar]

Maybe to those who want a low number.

[chrishenline]

From my experience, there are a few buyers out there whose first question is: "What's the limitation number?" And it is very important to them to get a low one. On something like a Writer's Edition, I have had less serial number requests, but with items like the Patron of Art series or some of the Atelier, uber-limited pens, the number is very important. I heard of a Montblanc Apollo 11 for sale the other day, and it was serial number 11! Any kind of correlation or significant number is also important. Naturally, serial number 1 would be the most important one in any series

[torstar]

#33 of the limited edition of 15,000 is worth more than #....

 

wait.... what????

 

how is 15,000 pens honestly limited in the first place?

[wanderlust]

#33 of the limited edition of 15,000 is worth more than #....

 

wait.... what????

 

how is 15,000 pens honestly limited in the first place?

Nowadays the marketing concept of limited edition pens is grossly overused by so many pen manufacturers. It is absurd.

 

Going back to the original poster's question, low number will be favored by some. It will only be worth more if the buyer collects a specific number serial number like Mr Briggs, who collects limited edition pens with serial number #25.

[Pen Nut]

#33 of the limited edition of 15,000 is worth more than #....

 

wait.... what????

 

how is 15,000 pens honestly limited in the first place?

 

Yep I am with you on that. If you are talking some of the very limited editions I could see number 1 out of 50 made being a bit more appealing than say number 24 but as to the increase in value that all depends on the buyer ( as most thing s do ).

[torstar]

All depends on the buyer you can locate that is interested.

 

A friend took his beat up hockey card collection to a country club flea market event and was offered $1,500 for the whole thing.

 

He turned it down and thought it might be worth a a lot more, then found he couldn't get $15 in total from the card shops or collectors.

 

Live and learn...

[penmanila]

I have several MB and other LEs but never thought much of the numbers or even of the overvalued exclusivity of LEs. A Hemingway is a Hemingway, an Agatha an Agatha.

[meiers]

Not to me.

[pen tom]

I think that in most cases the number of pens in a limited number series is close to the number that the marketing dept thinks that they can sell. And there are so many LEs. There seems to be no end to the limited editions.

 

I have an Omas Ogiva Arco brown FP. I bought it because I loved the looks, and the way that Omas pens write, not because it was limited. Even thou it is limited to 527 (I believe) pens, when I bought it, there did not seem to be a shortage of them. How many $750 pens can you sell anyway. Especially when there is always a new limited edition coming along

[Z-Tab]

Fancy numbers are worth more and low numbers are more likely to have personal significance to people. In those ways, I would offer a conditional yes. They're worth more, but unless the numbers are truly special (e.g. 1/10,000 or 10,000/10,000) then it may take a long time to find a buyer willing to pay a premium.

[FredRydr]

A "1" or "8"/"88"/"888"/"8888" will make a difference, but otherwise, I would't inflate a sales price for a low number on an LE pen and expect a quick sale.

 

Fred

[meiers]

"4", "44" and "444" are considered harbingers of misfortune in some circles. I'm not kidding.

[pen tom]

666 is also of interest in some circles. A person's birthdate, 7s, 8s, 4s are desirable to many. 1 is good

[astronautcowboy]

I don't know if pen collectors typically value lower/specific numbers, but in other communities where collectibles are numbered (like statue collecting), low enough numbers are "artist proofs," meaning they don't go out to the general public. Sequential or "brother" numbers are also desirable, as are whole numbers (100, 200, and so on) and whatever comes last (1000/1000).

[cooljatt18]

A "1" or "8"/"88"/"888"/"8888" will make a difference, but otherwise, I would't inflate a sales price for a low number on an LE pen and expect a quick sale.

 

Fred

 

Why are the eight's special ?

[cooljatt18]

The first and the last of any limited edition are highly coveted, rest vanity numbers have a better appeal say 111/1000 or 123/1000 like that.

Edited July 12, 2015 by cooljatt18

[FredRydr]

 

Why are the eight's special ?

Oriental superstition for luck.

 

Fred

[j1020]

I have two Conway Stewart LEs.

 

One is a Coronet No.2 of an LE of 2.

 

The other is No.3 of 750 of the CS Churchill Excalibur LE.

 

I don't think either has much extra value by virtue of the low number.

 

My Churchill Excalibur LE (003/100) may have been one of the last pens out the door the end of last August. Mr. Alistair Adams personally shipped it just before they closed their doors. I had bought and paid for the pen but they had not shipped. I made contact with Alistair and I suspect he searched the office and found mine which just happened to be No. 3! Anyway, before I received it by British Post, the Company had closed its doors. Sad.