Dupont Standard Editions
- Classique (1973)
- La Plume Ultime (Early 1980s)
- Gatsby (1980s)
- Lady Mascara (1980s)
- Montparnasse (Late 1980s)
- St.Germain (Early 1990s)
- Olympio / Orpheo & Fidélio (1990s)
- Ellipsis (Mid' 1990s)
- Line-D / Caprice & Elysée (Mid 2000s)
- Néo-Classique (2008)
- Liberté (2010)
- "Mon Dupont" by Karl Lagerfeld (2011)
- Défi (2009)
- Jet 8 (2013)
- Streamline-R (2015)
- Atélier Line-D (2016)
- D-Initial (2017)
Disclaimer on Pricing and Valuation
Classique
- Dupont started producing pens with a request from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis back in the 1970's, when she asked for a ballpoint pen that matched her Dupont lighter, and thus was born the Dupont Classique, designed by Jean Malamoud who sought inspiration from the design and format of the roller piece of a Dupont lighter - the first models were finished in metal with various guilloché patterns and a thin stripe of lacquer on the clip. This was such a tremendous success that the pen is still in production today (only the ballpoint / pencil) with some very slight alterations from the original design. The Classique was also the inspiration for the more recent Néo-Classique range. Note that Dupont stopped producing pencil-only versions in all ranges when a specific pencil refill was designed to be compatible with the newer ballpoint pens.
A year later the fountain pen was introduced and the range was soon extended to include a mechanical pencil and a rollerball/fineliner as well. The nibs on all versions are mono-tone 18-carat gold, with the exception of the last version, the Classique L2, which had a dual-tone gold nib similar in design to the nibs used by the Olympio range.
With over 40 years of production, the Classique range has been produced in many finishes and materials, although it is best known for its Chinese lacquer finishes and it was also used in the late 1980s as the basis for some of Dupont's first limited edition productions.
"La Plume Ultime"
- Following on the success of the Classique range, a few years after its launch a new pen was introduced. Originally called "La Plume Ultime", it has also become known as the Gatsby Version 1, as it is slightly smaller and thinner than the later Gatsby of the 1980s. This initial version used the same 18-carat gold nib format as the Classique Version 2, whilst the later model used the wrap nib as found in the Montparnasse range. As with the Classique it came in many varieties of finishes, although the Chinese lacquer versions are the most usual and desirable.
Gatsby
- The Gatsby was introduced shortly after "La Plume Ultime" and its design form was very similar - just slightly thicker and longer, and the nib format was now the wrap style that would also be used in the Montparnasse, the Lady Mascara and the Saint-Germain ranges. At the same time a ballpoint was also launched.
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| Gatsby Ballpoint and Fountain Pen |
Lady Mascara
- Shortly after the introduction of the Gatsby a shorter and clip-less range was introduced by Dupont and targeted at the feminine public, the Lady Mascara range of rollerballs and fountain pens. Just like its predecessors, it came mostly in lacquer finishes, although a few metal "guillochè" versions were also produced. The nibs on the fountain pens were mono-tone 18-carat gold in the same format as the Gatsby and the Montparnasse.
Montparnasse
- Around 1989, Dupont launched one of its most successful pens, the large to extra-large Montparnasse range, which remained their flagship model until the introduction of the Olympio range. Similar to the previous models, the Montparnasse came in several types of finish over its solid brass body: precious metals guillochè, and Chinese lacquered. All the nibs are mono-tone 18-carat gold.
Since the section of the fountain pen is internal, Dupont devised a specially designed swing out handle that sits on the base of the barrel and allows for the section to be unscrewed from the barrel - once again, an inspiration from their lighter range.
The Montparnasse range included two ballpoint pen variants (a medium-sized and a large girth version), a rollerball pen and two sizes of the fountain pen (medium and the XL).
Dupont launched a special edition of the Montparnasse range that differed from the normal range due to its intricate guillochè work coated with several layers of semi-transparent lacquer - it named it the "Chairman" Series and further details can be found here.
St.Germain
- In the early 1990s, Dupont launched a lower-priced pen range with some of the design features of the Montparnasse, called the St.Germain range. These were made available only with metallic finishes and resin caps, available in two sizes (medium and larger) in either silver or gold-plated "Godron" finish barrels with different resin-coloured caps. The nibs were steel with either rhodium or gold plate in the same design style as the Montparnasse.
The thinner range of pens was also known as the St.Germain Lady in some markets. This collection was not very popular and its production lasted only for a few years.
Olympio / Orpheo & the Fidélio
- In the middle 1990s, Dupont launched a new range of pens that would eventually replace the Montparnasse as their flagship product - This was the Olympio (also initially known in some markets as the Orpheo) whose curved form and soft lines provided a simple, timeless elegance. Initially the range was introduced with 2 sizes (the Large and the XL Large) - later Dupont also introduced a smaller sized Olympio, naming it the Fidélio, and a much smaller (purse size) ballpoint pen called the Mini Olympio with the barrel in several bright colours. The range included ballpoint, rollerball, fountain pens and pencils.
Like all Dupont pens, the range was a cartridge filled pen or could use a converter - standard sized international cartridges or converters so there is a broad selection of inks available. Also, the Olympio range use 18-carat nibs while the smaller Fidelio use a 14-carat nib in a distinct design shape. Both the Olympio and the Fidélio ranges were manufactured with many different finishes, including highly intricate guillochè patterns and, of course, Dupont's well known Lacque de Chine variants. The classical design of the Olympio would remain the pen of choice for Dupont on which to base their Limited Edition series up until the launch of the Néo-Classique in 2013.
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| Mini Olympio Ballpoint Pen |
Ellipsis
- The Ellipsis was launched in complement to the first Olympio pens, as a lower priced and smaller sized pen, with a less curvilinear shape and an interesting clip. The initial Ellipsis were made in resin and later some versions appeared with metallic caps and bodies, silver, palladium and gold plated. This pen was never offered with a Laque de Chine finish. The Ellipsis was offered with an 18-carat gold nib and was also a cartridge/converter pen.
Because of its similarities and price point, the Ellipsis was produced only for a short while, being eventually replaced in terms of product positioning by the Fidélio.
Line D / Caprice & Elysée
- The Line D (also known for a while as the Caprice) and the Elysée ranges were an evolution of the Olympio range, with a few differences between them. The Olympio came in 4 distinct sizes in its final iteration (Mini, Medium (Fidélio), Large (standard) and Extra-Large). The Line D is similar in size to the standard sized Olympio. The Olympio used 18-carat gold nibs while the Line D nibs are 14-carat, similar in format to the Olympio's Extra Large nib, with a longer section and more of the nib hidden.
With the demise of the Olympio range, Dupont's Limited Editions began to use the Line D range as their basic pen format.
Néo-Classique
- The Néo-Classique range was introduced as an upgraded and revisited version of the famous Classique range, in two variants: the large sized Néo-Classique and the much larger Néo-Classique Président, and in two pen variants: a rollerball pen and a fountain pen.
Originally, Dupont launched a few versions of the Néo-Classique (and the Président variant in black lacquer with a 4GB USB flash-drive), but soon it came to employ this range only for Limited Editions, starting with the Shanghai pen in 2009.
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| Néo-Classique Président (XL size) with USB Flashdrive in Black Lacquer |
Liberté
- To cater for a growing market segment, Dupont launched a feminine product line called the Liberté designed by Dominique Tissier. This was a range of slimmer pens in the ballpoint, pencil, rollerball and fountain pen formats.
The rounded ends, emphasised by a slender, slightly cone-shaped body, illustrate the perfect proportions of an object imbued with noble sensuality. The beautiful contrasting materials, palladium and lacquer, highlighted the exquisitely refined details of the range. The top of the cap, perfectly faceted like a brilliant cut diamond, bears the seal of the brand.
The Liberté range became well known for their bright and pastel shades of lacquers, with some variants sporting 2 colours within the same pen. The nibs were all 14-carat gold and the trim varied between yellow gold, rose gold and palladium plate.
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| The Liberté Fountain Pen in red lacquer finish |
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| The Liberté Ballpoint Pen in red lacquer finish |
"Mon Dupont" by Karl Lagerfeld
- The result of a collaboration between S.T. Dupont and the designer Karl Lagerfeld, the "Mon Dupont" product line was launched in 2011.
Lagerfeld was inspired by a fan-shaped perfume bottle to create this collection with some inspiration from the Néo-Classique pen. The pens features a somewhat triangular profile that fits perfectly in the hand for fine writing comfort. The flat sides ensure the pen will not roll off the desk. The sophisticated "Mon Dupont" Karl Lagerfeld pens were available in red, black and white lacquer finish with either palladium or gold-plated accents. The arched clip is engraved with the S.T. Dupont logo and features a red agate gemstone cabochon. The nibs were made of rhodium-plated steel, much like the Défi range.
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| The "Mon Dupont" complete collection, included a ballpoint, a rollerball, a fountain pen and a lighter |
Défi
- The Défi was a new design departure from the traditional, more conservative shapes of the previous ranges of pens from Dupont. Very sleek in shape and design, using completely different materials and sporting a steel nib, the Défi was an audacious departure for Dupont, and one which played well. It is, by some, considered one of the most beautiful pens ever designed (myself included!).
The Défi was initially available in ballpoint, multifunction (ballpoint, pencil and fineliner), rollerball, and fountain pen formats, with the latter two having a new design from around 2016 - the difference between the older style and the newer is the cap and the clip - the older versions had the traditional cap with the clip on it, whilst the newer variants have the clip mounted on the body (just as with the ballpoint) and a cone shaped cap to cover the section.
The Défi has had many finishes over the years, a few Special and Limited Editions, and the latest models are again a departure for Dupont - the first ever "skeleton"-pen type from the Maison.
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| The latest variant - the "skeleton" version of the Défi Ballpoint |
Jet 8
- The JET 8 pen is a ballpoint pen with a unique sleek and stylish shape, combining a metallic fuselage and a lightweight body made of high-tech resin. Easy to use (with a dynamic push opening system), light and extremely well balanced, the JET 8 pen fits perfectly in the hand. Its special ultra-glide ink provides exceptional writing comfort, and its articulated clip – engraved with the “JET 8 S.T.Dupont“ signature – makes it easy to carry everywhere. The pen comes in a stunning range of colours to suit every personality and mood, inspired by the colours of the rainbow, the range extends from cool grey chrome to fiery red, light and dark blues, girly pink, vivid orange and yellow, finishing with the smooth darkness of night.
Streamline-R
- The Streamline-R design is inspired by the Streamlining Movement, one of the most important design trends of the 20th century - an evolution of Art Deco developed in conjunction with the birth of mass production, speed and scientific fervour, and has become such an important part of modern design that it has been transplanted from vehicles to domestic objects. Today Streamlining is associated with the glamour and style of the roaring and adventure filled era of the beginning of the 20th century.
The dynamic design of these pens with clean, slightly curved lines is inspired by a falling drop that symbolises the perfect aerodynamic shape. The Streamline-R range, with its unusual design, is made mostly of Ceramium A.C.T., a revolutionary new material created by Dupont - this combination of ceramic and aluminium is incomparably light yet extremely resistant.
The range consisted of a ballpoint and a fountain pen in black and silver finishes and it included a pen stand in the stylised format of a racing car from the 1920s. The trim was done in palladium plate and the nibs were 14-carat gold, rhodium coated. The Streamline range was also used for a number of Limited Edition pens, namely the "Star Wars" editions of 2015.
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| Streamline-R Ballpoint Pen in the Silver finish |
Atélier Line-D
- In 1953, the S.T. Dupont Atélier collection was first created in Faverges, where special orders of exceptional objects for exceptional people were created. It encompasses the company’s secrets of manufacturing with precious lacquers and perfectly illustrates the art of goldsmith and lacquer.
The Atélier pen is one of the finest pens that Dupont has to offer, using natural Chinese lacquer, hand gathered in Tonkin, and then blended together like wine. It has a sheen and depth that no synthetic varnish can equal, a silky pearl-like feel and is exceptionally hard-wearing and highly resistant to knocks, scuffs and scratches, as well as to heat. The ballpoint, rollerball and fountain pens of the range are offered in various lacquered mixes of colours and sport a 14-carat gold nib.
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| Atélier Line D Brown Fountain Pen |
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D-Initial
- The D-Initial range, introduced in 2017, is a modern tribute to the original Classique range of pens launched in 1973, and is currently available in ballpoint and rollerball formats with black, gold and chrome finishes. It is the price entry point for Dupont pens.
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| D-Initial Ballpoint and Rollerball Pens |
The prices given here are the low and high average found on the international market between the years 2014 and 2017. The difference between the lowest and the highest values can be due to such factors as the state of preservation, the provenience, the reputation of the seller, and the completeness of the offer (original case, documentation, ink accessories, etc.). Every collector should be fully aware of the difference between selling prices and purchase prices, and between passion and investment.
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Against the normal "market pricing", the following table provides some guidelines for the valuation and negotiation of collectible (not current) fountain pens as per their condition.
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WEIGHT |
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No signs of use, New Old Stock, boxed and fully documented, not inked ever
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No discernable user markings, boxed, dipped or once ink filled
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All parts original, slight signs of use, slight surface scratches, minor discolouration, crisp imprints, trim or body with no significant brassing, no dings, may be boxed, fully working
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All parts original, some signs of use, surface scratching, brassing, light discolouration, fully functional
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Not all parts may be original, heavy sign of use, worn imprints, used look, may need repairs, dings/stratches, medium discolouration
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Not working, missing parts, cracks, strong discolouration, very visible dings
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Another devaluation scale may be considered for particular typologies of damage
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