ST Dupont Writing Instruments: 20 Collectible Pieces to Get You Started (Jackie Kennedy Edition Included)
You know what caught my attention when I first started dealing with luxury writing instruments? It wasn't the gold nibs or the hefty price tags: it was the stories. And no story in the world of premium pens is quite as captivating as the one that started it all with Jackie Kennedy.
Picture this: it's 1962, and Jackie Kennedy receives a gold ST Dupont lighter from André Malraux, France's Minister of Culture. She's so enchanted by its elegance that she does something unprecedented: she asks if they can make her a matching pen. The problem? ST Dupont had never made a writing instrument before. They were known for their lighters, not pens. But when Jackie Kennedy asks for something, you figure it out.
That request led to the creation of the Classique: what many consider the world's first true luxury writing instrument. More than 50 years later, that same pen design is still making waves in the collector world.
The Jackie Kennedy Edition: Where It All Began
In March 2025, ST Dupont brought back the Classique with all the elegance of the original but updated ergonomics that work for everyone. When I hold one of these pieces, I can see why Jackie fell in love with it: that distinctive faceted body and vertical metal guilloche pattern just feels different in your hand.
The new Classique comes in five colorways, and honestly, each one tells its own story. You've got brushed palladium starting around $425, moving up to gold-plated versions with colored lacquer accents hitting $495. The vertical guilloche catches light in a way that makes even the most jaded collector stop and take notice.
What makes this piece special for beginners? It's approachable luxury with serious heritage. You're not just buying a pen: you're owning a piece of history that connects directly to one of America's most iconic first ladies.
Core Collections Every Collector Should Know
Line D: The Flagship Experience
If you're serious about ST Dupont collecting, the Line D is where you start building your foundation. These aren't just pens: they're statements. I've watched clients pick up a Line D for the first time, and there's always this moment where they realize they're holding something completely different from anything they've used before.
The Line D features 14k or 18k gold nibs, solid brass bodies, and hand-applied natural lacquer. The writing experience is so smooth it almost feels like the pen is doing the work for you. Available in palladium, gold, and various lacquered finishes, these pieces typically hold their value better than most contemporary luxury pens.
D-Initial: Your Gateway Piece
Not ready to dive into four-figure territory? The D-Initial collection is your entry point into the ST Dupont universe without breaking the bank. These pieces maintain that signature ST Dupont craftsmanship but with simpler designs that make them perfect for daily use. The twist mechanism is satisfying, and the lacquered finish develops a beautiful patina over time.
Limited Editions That Define Collections
Game of Thrones Prestige Collection
This collaboration hit different. We're talking about a Line D Eternity XL pen with a guilloché chainmail pattern in gold finish, complete with a cap decorated with the map of Westeros. The clip bears the 'King's Hand' insignia, and dragons are engraved on the grip section.
But here's what makes it really special: the complete set includes a Catspaw Dagger letter opener and medallion, all displayed on a miniature Iron Throne. Only 200 numbered pieces exist, and finding one in pristine condition is getting harder by the day. The fountain pen features an 18k gold nib with converter filling system, plus it includes a rollerball conversion kit.
Artist Collaborations: Andy Warhol and Karl Lagerfeld
ST Dupont's 2004 Andy Warhol collection brought pop art to luxury writing instruments in ways nobody expected. The 2011 Karl Lagerfeld collaborations pushed boundaries even further. These pieces represent a fascinating intersection of high fashion, art, and functional luxury.
What I tell new collectors about artist collaborations: they're not just pens, they're cultural artifacts. The market for these pieces tends to be more volatile but potentially more rewarding for patient collectors.
Jules Verne: Mobilis in Mobile Collection
The tribute to the legendary author features distinctive designs celebrating his imaginative legacy. These pieces combine ST Dupont's traditional craftsmanship with literary inspiration, creating writing instruments that feel like they could have been pulled from the pages of "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea."
Vintage Pieces That Started It All
Original Classique Models
Finding an original 1970s Classique is like discovering treasure. These pieces carry the DNA of everything ST Dupont became, and their value has steadily climbed as more collectors recognize their historical significance.
Gatsby Collection
The vintage Gatsby models represent ST Dupont's minimalist aesthetic at its finest. These pieces prove that sometimes less really is more, and their clean lines make them surprisingly contemporary even decades later.
What Every Collector Should Look For
Craftsmanship Markers
Every authentic ST Dupont piece features specific craftsmanship details. Look for the vertical metal guilloche technique, especially on Classique models. The palladium clips should feel substantial, not flimsy. Gold nibs should be properly chiseled and bear the ST Dupont mark.
All authentic pieces are manufactured in ST Dupont's workshops in Faverges, France. If someone's selling you a "ST Dupont" made elsewhere, walk away.
Condition and Completeness
Original boxes, papers, and accessories significantly impact value. A Game of Thrones set without its Iron Throne display loses much of its appeal to serious collectors. Cartridge converters, spare nibs, and documentation all matter.
Check for dings in the lacquer, scratches on metal finishes, and the functionality of mechanisms. A pen that doesn't write properly isn't much of a collectible, regardless of its rarity.
Value Retention Strategies
Limited editions typically hold value better than standard production models, but only if they're genuinely limited and well-executed. The Game of Thrones collection's 200-piece limit makes it significantly more collectible than open-ended "special editions."
Artist collaborations can be goldmines or disappointments depending on the artist's lasting relevance and the execution quality. Warhol and Lagerfeld pieces have maintained strong collector interest, but lesser-known collaborations may struggle.
Display and Care Tips
These pieces deserve proper storage. Individual pen sleeves prevent scratches, while display cases let you enjoy your collection daily. Avoid direct sunlight, which can fade lacquer finishes over time.
For fountain pens, flush them regularly if you use different inks. For display-only pieces, consider storing them with cartridges removed to prevent potential leaks.
Building Your Collection Strategically
Start with a Classique: preferably the Jackie Kennedy edition if you can find one. It's the foundation piece that connects you to ST Dupont's entire story. Add a Line D in your preferred finish for actual use, then branch into limited editions based on your personal interests.
Don't chase every release. Focus on pieces that genuinely speak to you, whether that's the literary connection of Jules Verne models or the pop culture appeal of Game of Thrones pieces.
The beauty of ST Dupont collecting isn't just in the acquisition: it's in understanding the craftsmanship, appreciating the stories, and sometimes, actually using these incredible writing instruments for what they were designed to do.
Whether you're drawn to the Jackie Kennedy connection, fascinated by limited edition artistry, or simply appreciate exceptional French craftsmanship, ST Dupont offers collecting opportunities that combine function, beauty, and investment potential in ways few luxury writing instrument brands can match.
Remember: the best piece for your collection is the one that makes you want to pick it up and write with it every day.