This is the second post of what is intended to be a three-part series looking at various aspects of Pelikan’s nibs.  The first post was a discussion of the PF and P|N hallmarked nibs.  This post will explore how Pelikan’s collars, feeds, and nibs have changed over time and will also discuss compatibility across the various models.   I think that these nibs are deserving of this attention because their interchangeability by the user/owner is one of the defining traits across much of Pelikan’s Souverän and Tradition lines which has always been a boon to hobbyists and collectors.  Before proceeding I would like to reaffirm that I am simply an enthusiast and the information presented below is what I have gathered from my years of collecting and should in no way be taken as authoritative or exhaustive.

• The Collar

The majority of Pelikan’s nibs, going all the way back to their first release, have featured a screw-in type collar that allowed for the nib to be removed and replaced.  I’m sure that this was intended to be done at the factory or by an authorized retailer but the simplicity of the design has allowed the hobbyist to swap nibs relatively easily giving one pen a chance at multiple applications.  Since nib sizes have been relatively constant, nibs from one model are often compatible with another.  That said, caution should be exercised when swapping nibs.  Vintage nibs can be frail such that Pelikan themselves had a special tool for removing the ebonite feeds due to their fragility though these are incredibly rare and hard to come by. Also, just because the nib of a different model may fit into a section does not necessarily mean that there is enough clearance in the cap to accommodate it. 

Friction fit nibs. Top: 400 (1950’s), Bottom: M481 (1980’s). Pictures courtesy of Christof of FPN; http://goo.gl/b7C7PA

The earlier screw-type collars appear to have been made of hard rubber and have historically been very durable without significant reports of failure.  In 1951 when Pelikan introduced the 400, there was an experimental attempt at a friction fit feed.  These collars were smooth, without threading, and fit into the section via a friction fit.  It seems that Pelikan abandoned these after only a short run and it is unclear how many remain out there.  Interestingly, Pelikan again attempted the friction fit experiment in the early 1980’s with the introduction of the M400.  They apparently drew similar conclusions and switched back to the threaded collar after only a short time.  Several examples of the M481 which followed in 1983 can also be found with friction fit feeds.

In the 1950’s and 60’s when space age plastics were all the rage, Pelikan made collars from a clear plastic material known as polystyrene.  These collars were brittle and have had significant failures over time in all of the models in which they were employed.  In fact, a cracked or damaged collar has led many to erroneously believe that they have a friction fit feed rather than a failed collar.  The tell-tale trait, however, is that all friction feeds should still have a collar (as depicted above) whereas a cracked collar will leave you with just a nib and a feed.  This will be explored in more detail in the final post of this series.  Thankfully Pelikan learned its lesson and today’s collars are made with metal and are incredibly durable.

Clear polystyrene collar. Picture courtesy of jgrasty of FPN; http://goo.gl/xHAqXf

Threaded collars. Top: Standard, Bottom: Merz & Krell

I would be remiss if I didn’t point out one final issue where the collar is concerned.  For a time in the 1970’s, Pelikan outsourced some of their production to a company called Merz & Krell, notably the 400NN and the 120.  I won’t go into the details regarding the small differences in the design of these pens (I’ll save that for a future post) but suffice it to say that many a collector has been upset to buy a pen only to find that another nib is not compatible.  The Merz & Krell nibs had a different collar entirely and cannot receive any other nibs nor can their nibs be used with other non-Merz & Krell pens.  It is certainly something to be aware of and watched for closely if buying one of these models on the used market.

Modern collar made with metal

• The Feed

Much less needs to be said about the feed.  The vintage nibs can be identified by their ebonite design with longitudinal fins.  This is a very good system and provides a great writing experience with delivery of generous ink flow and a fair resistance against drying out.  The problem with the ebonite is that it becomes fragile over time and needs to be handled gently.  I never remove an ebonite feed lightly due to the risk of breaking one of the longitudinal fins.  It certainly can be done but care must be taken.  When new, Pelikan themselves had a special tool for removal as described above which should be reason enough to respect their delicate nature.  That tool can be seen depicted here on Martin Lehmann’s site.

Above: Vintage feed and collar (400). Below: Modern feed and collar (M400). Pictures courtesy of Konis of FPN; http://goo.gl/D2dZri

Today’s feeds on the Souverän and Tradition series pens are made of modern plastic and have horizontal fins but still deliver generous ink flow.  These are much more durable and can be exchanged with relatively little worry for damage.  There is a tool that was sold with the calligraphy sets (MC110 & MC120) which can be used for unscrewing M1xx – M4xx nibs but this is not necessary.  Finally, many of Pelikan’s lower tiered pens have various feed designs made from solid plastic, lacking the fins seen on the higher end models.

Comparison of a vintage feed (left) with a modern feed (right). Picture courtesy of Konis of FPN; http://goo.gl/D2dZri

• The Nib

14C-585 monotone logo nib from an M250

The nib has had some design changes over time but generally has retained its basic shape.  The materials used have varied depending on the model.  Gold is prevalent with 14K and 18K nibs being the most common on the upper tier models but 12K nibs are known to exist as well.  Many of the special edition pens will have rhodium plating as well.  The older gold nibs are usually monotone in color while the more recent nibs have a two-tone finish.  The Tradition series uses nibs that are stainless steel in design with gold plating.  The plating can flake off with use, revealing the base metal.  During war-time, palladium and chrome nickel steel was used when other metals were scarce and these nibs can be identified by their ‘Pd’ and ‘CN’ imprints.

Chrome nickel script nib from a wartime 100N

The tipping material of the nibs has also changed in character.  Older nibs, those produced prior to the mid-1990’s, had a flatter tipping material which seemed to impart more character to the nib and the strokes produced by it.  This is often much preferred to today’s ball-like tipping material which is designed for more general use in order to cut down on end-user frustration from the non-hobbyist.  In addition to the tipping, the flexibility of nibs has changed.  Many people seek out older nibs for their flex or semi-flex properties because these can be taken advantage of to produce beautiful script.  Over-flexing though can cause damage and result in a sprung nib which is often beyond rehab or even induce stress cracks in the metal.  Again, in order to reduce failures from pens in the hands of the modern, average user, Pelikan has made today’s nibs firm, with little to no flex.  While gold is often lauded for its ability to spring more and have a softer feel than stainless steel due to the softer nature of the metal, there is a strong belief (myself included) that the older stainless steel M2xx nibs are quite springy and a joy to write with.

One interesting feature of the nibs is the number and shape of the breather holes over time.  On the early model 100’s circa 1929, the breather hole was heart-shaped.  These nibs were produced by Montblanc for Pelikan and are highly desirable and valuable in today’s market.  After Pelikan assumed the production of their own nibs, the  breather hole became round.  Some nibs will have two breather holes visible and this is indicative of an extra firm manifold nib for writing on carbon copies.  Finally, in addition to the breather hole some nibs will have an additional hole at the base of the nib, often obscured by the collar.  These are seen on pens like the 400 and the 140 and generally have no significance.

Gold plated stainless steel logo nib from an M150

Two-tone 14C-485 nib from an M400 white tortoise

Pelikan has had many nib imprints/engravings over the years, more than I could possibly detail here.  Vintage pens will have ‘Pelikan’ written across the nib either in a single line or parallel lines.  Below that was usually the designation of the gold content of the nib (or other metal).  These are known as script nibs and were included on Pelikan pens until around 1954.  At the end of 1954, the logo nib was introduced which has included the company’s logo circumscribed by the company’s name and gold content of the nib.  For a nice pictorial of many of the different variations, see this page hosted by Werner Rüttinger.

14C-585 monotone logo nib from a 400NN green striated

• Nib Compatibility

 Note: Though not listed, some nibs will fit into the section of another model but they will not have enough clearance with the inner cap of the pen, possibly resulting in damage (i.e., M2xx nib into an M1xx section)

That concludes my overview of the many iterations that Pelikan’s nibs have taken over the years.  I hope that this information is of interest and useful.  While not exhaustive, I have tried to be as accurate as possible.  I’m sure that there are many more facets and details that I may have inadvertently omitted but this hopefully will serve at least as a primer.  Please feel free to leave any commentary, feedback, or even corrections that you may have and stay tuned for the third and final post in this series about nibs; “Polystyrene – What is it Good For?“

Clear, cracked polystyrene collar. Picture courtesy of jgrasty of FPN; http://goo.gl/xHAqXf

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING (at least as far as collars go)!  Welcome to the third and final installment of a series of posts dealing with Pelikan’s nibs.  The first post endeavored to clarify the presumed meaning of the PF and P|N hallmarks while the second detailed some of the steps in the evolution of the collar, feed, and nib over time.  Now you may think that I was overly harsh with my opening statement but allow me to convince you of the truth of that declaration.  Polystyrene’s roots are deeply German in origin.  It’s initial discovery was in 1839 by Eduard Simon but almost one hundred years had to elapse before the substance was formulated as we know it today.  The properties of this material are that it is clear, hard, and (most distressingly) brittle.  It began being mass-produced for various applications in the 1930’s and was prized for being relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Fast forward to the early 1950’s as the world embarks on the jet age.  High tech plastics and their myriad of uses were all the rage.  Pelikan began to manufacture collars from this abundant and inexpensive material.  I’m sure it seemed like a perfect application at the time.  The problem that has arisen for Pelikan aficionado’s in the ensuing years is that polystyrene is a brittle material.  As such, when used as a collar, it is prone to cracking due to the stresses placed upon it.  The result of this can range anywhere from undetectable with normal use to a leaking section or an unstable nib and feed.  These eventually always declare themselves as a collar failure at some point.

Nib and feed shown with cracked and broken polystyrene collar. Picture courtesy of Pbets2n of FPN; http://goo.gl/SiUoW0

Now that I have you worried, lets talk about how to identify one of these collars.  Perhaps the biggest give away is the fact that the collar is a clear plastic which is in contrast to the black and, more recently, metal collars.  Pens that utilized polystyrene were those produced in the 50’s and 60’s.  These would include the 400NN, 120, and 140.  These collar failures often give rise to the misperception that a pen has a friction fit nib when the truth is that the collar is actually retained in the section.  The easiest way to distinguish this is that if the nib and feed pull out of the section without a collar, this represents a collar failure.  Even a friction fit nib will have a collar, albeit a non-threaded one. 

Friction fit nibs. Top: 400 (1950’s), Bottom: M481 (1980’s). Picture courtesy of Christof of FPN; http://goo.gl/b7C7PA

Whenever a retained collar is suspected, I encourage everyone to closely evaluate the section to see if any remnants of a collar can be identified once the nib and feed are removed.  If a collar is visualized, it can often be removed by inserting a small knife into the section which can act as a screwdriver to allow removal of the collar.  If you have a modern M1xx or M2xx collar available, it can be sacrificed to rehab the now orphaned nib and feed.  The link below for Richard Binder’s site will walk you through the necessary steps.  I will add that a rat-tail needle file can be had very cheaply from sources such as Amazon.com.  If undertaking the described procedure, I would encourage proceeding with care.  The mantra should be file, fit, file, fit, file, fit, and done.  This way, a good fit is ensured without overdoing it. I have employed this method with success in the past.

Repaired nib with metal collar shown aside cracked polystyrene collar. Picture courtesy of MarkTrain of FPN; http://goo.gl/kfAH2s

Finally, I will say that do it yourself repair is not for everyone, nor should it be.  Given the age of these collars, Chartpak is not likely to service them but it is my understanding that Pelikan in Germany will replace these for a nominal fee if any charge at all.  If you’re interested in contacting them for a quote, that form can be found here.

For further reference

Repair Tutorial by Richard Binder

Custom Pen Parts – Pelikan Compatible Collar

Merz & Krell factory circa 1920

In my post “The Evolution of the Collar, Feed, & Nib,” I mentioned a company called Merz & Krell who manufactured pens for Pelikan for a period of time in the 1970’s.  The company’s full name was Merz & Krell GmbH & Co. KGaA and it was founded in 1920 and headquartered in Gross-Bieberau, Germany.  Friedrich Merz was born in 1884 and grew up to become a pharmacist.  He had invented several water-soluble topical creams and beauty aids which he put into production in 1908 when he built a factory in Frankfurt.  Twelve years later he turned his attention to writing instruments and along with his brother Georg Merz and Justus Krell, a machine lathe operator, founded Merz & Krell, a subsidiary of Merz Pharma.  Merz Pharma still exist today and is involved in research in the area of Alzheimer’s disease.  The company had modest beginnings, employing only a dozen workers initially.  Aside from having to shut down production during World War II, the company has continued to grow and thrive.  When approached by Pelikan, the company already had a history in designing and manufacturing writing instruments and are probably best known for their Melbi, Senator, and Diplomat lines of pens.  In January of 2006, the company changed its name to SENATOR GmbH & Co. KGaA and continues to make pens today and is a leading manufacturer of promotional pens and related items.  In the 1970’s, two models of pen were produced by Merz & Krell for Pelikan under contract and should be considered genuine Pelikan products since they were factory authorized.  The two models that I speak of were the 120 and the 400NN.

Model 120

The original model 120 made by Pelikan was produced from 1955-1965 and is known as the Type I.  Production dates of the 120 made by Merz & Krell range from 1973-1977 and this pen is known as the Type II.  The Type I models are shorter, measuring a total length of 4.92 inches whereas the Type II is 5.20 inches.  The reissued model came in only two variations as depicted in the table below.

Green & black Merz & Krell 120’s.

While these were factory authorized re-issues, there were distinct differences between the two runs which I will endeavor to outline below.  When compared with the Type I 120, the Merz and Krell version can be distinguished by;

1. A flatter, less curved grip section
2. Broader clip
3. Longer barrel
4. Absence of a lip between the barrel and piston knob (no step between the two pieces)
5. Beveled cap lip
6. Different cap threading (not compatible with Type I)
7. Different nib collar & feed (not compatible with other Pelikan models)

Side by side comparison of capped 120’s. Top: Type I, Bottom: Type II

Side by side comparison of posted 120’s. Top: Type I, Bottom: Type II

Model 400NN

The 400NN was reportedly reissued as the result of a request from Japanese retailers.  The original model 400NN made by Pelikan was produced from 1957-1965 whereas production dates of the 400NN made by Merz & Krell range from 1973-1978.  The original issue is 5.12 inches in total length with the reissue just a bit shorter.  The Merz & Krell versions seem to be in demand in today’s market and are somewhat harder to locate.  The reissued model came in the variations depicted in the table below.

Merz & Krell 400NN’s from left to right; Tortoiseshell Brown, Black, Green Striated. Picture courtesy of Tony Rex of FPGeeks; http://goo.gl/pYRFFs

When compared with the Guenther Wagner 400NN, the Merz and Krell version can be distinguished by;

1. A slightly broader clip
2. Shorter barrel
3. Absence of a lip between the barrel and piston knob (no step between the two pieces)
4. Different cap threading
5. Different nib collar & feed (not compatible with other Pelikan models)
6. A threaded, screw-type piston mechanism (versus friction fitted as demonstrated by Tony Rex here)

Side by side comparison of capped pens. Top: Merz & Krell 400NN, Bottom: Pelikan 400NN. Picture courtesy of D. Caspersz; http://goo.gl/qXorQm

Side by side comparison of uncapped pens. Top: Merz & Krell 400NN, Bottom: Pelikan 400NN. Picture courtesy of D. Caspersz; http://goo.gl/qXorQm

Close-up view of the interface between the piston knob and the barrel. Top: Merz & Krell 400NN, Bottom: Pelikan 400NN. Picture courtesy of D. Caspersz; http://goo.gl/qXorQm

Side by side comparison of the nib collars. Left: Merz & Krell 400NN, Right: Pelikan 400NN. Picture courtesy of D. Caspersz; http://goo.gl/qXorQm

I hope that this helps clear up some of the confusion surrounding these variations and provides some insight into who Merz & Krell are.  Feel free to post any comments, thoughts, or critiques that you may have.

Pelikan 120, 140, and 400NN

When I bought my 400NN tortoiseshell brown (perhaps one of my favorite Pelikan’s of all time), I was incredibly excited and couldn’t wait for its arrival.  Imagine my utter disappointment then when it finally arrived and I found the cap threads to be stripped, or so I thought.  When the cap was screwed or unscrewed, there was a very disconcerting clicking sound and resistance halfway through the turn.  This was a completely foreign experience for me as this behavior was unlike anything I’d ever experienced before in my other Pelikan pens, modern or vintage.  After extensive searching online, I found very little information about this phenomenon.  It wasn’t until I met and spoke with Rick Propas of the PENguin at the D.C. Fountain Pen Supershow in the summer of 2013 that I realized my pen was not broken but was actually demonstrating a factory designed behavior.

What follows is what I learned from Rick as well as a small tidbit of information gleaned from a read through of the book “Pelikan Schreibgeräte.”  Since I had so much trouble finding this information out for myself, I wanted to share what I learned in the hopes that it may help others.

The resistance that I described halfway through screwing or unscrewing the cap which needs to be overcome for removal or replacement of the cap  is there by design.  I don’t believe that it was a marketed or widely publicized feature nor do I believe it was ever officially named/trademarked.  I refer to it as the secure locking cap.  The mechanism is actually a safety device which was employed on the 120, 140, and 400NN circa 1958.  The resistance provided a way to prevent the unintentional uncapping of the pen.  One of the nice things about the Pelikan cap is that even though it is a screw-on cap, it can be removed and replaced quickly due to the threading.  This has the unfortunate side effect of a pen occasionally coming undone in the pocket if the cap is not secured tightly.  This secure locking cap does indeed protect against that.  I guess that the feature wasn’t widely appreciated as it did not seem to expand into other models or be incorporated for very long.

Old & new style M250’s

Pelikan has released many special editions over the years, usually at the request of its customers.  Sometimes these are brought about by the company and other times, they are special order pieces for companies that contract for a limited run.  Many special editions are depicted in The Aviary which includes pens such as the M150 Bols, the M200 Deutsche Telekom, the M200 Citroenpers, and the M250 Tortoiseshell Brown.  There is a much lesser known model out there that qualifies as a special edition and it is known as the M201.

The M201 was released in the year 2000 and was a run of roughly 3000 pieces.  This was a clear demonstrator with a black piston assembly/mechanism which has the same design/dimensions as the M200.  Since it is a post-’97 model, it is distinguished by a crown cap top, single cap band, and has a single trim ring at the piston knob.  The nib is gold-plated stainless steel.  It is an M200 for all intents and purposes but was manufactured for the Japanese market and branded M201.  I am not familiar with any other pen being branded as an M201.

M201 clear demonstrator for the Japanese market

A clear demonstrator in the M250 line was also produced which is identical to the M201 with the exception of having a 14C – 585 gold nib instead of the stainless steel.  This was made at the request of the Levenger company (the same company that sold the M250 Tortoiseshell Brown).

M250 clear demonstrator for the Levenger company

If anyone can provide definitive documentation or evidence to support the existence of other pens branded as 201, I would be very interested in seeing that.  If the information is verifiable,  I will happily addend this post accordingly.

Pelikan Schreibgeräte 1929 – 2004

by Jürgen Dittmer & Martin Lehmann

A.H.F. Dunkmann GmbH & Co. KG, 2004, 188 pages (ISBN 3-909485-88-X)

Pelikan Schreibgeräte is a book that was last printed 10 years ago.  It is very hard to find in today’s market and when a copy is found for sale, it often commands prices upwards of $250+ dollars.  Why then review it now?  While many people save and search for their grail pen (a dream pen that often borders on unobtainable), my grail has always been Schreibgeräte.  Don’t get me wrong, as far as pens go, a Pelikan Toledo would be my grail but, believe it or not, the Toledo is likely more obtainable than this now long out of print book.

The book detailed here is the second and last edition to be printed, covering pens from 1929-2004.  The first edition was published in 1997 and covered pens produced from 1929-1997.  Both editions were authored by Jürgen Dittmer and Martin Lehmann.  Schreibgeräte is the German word for ‘writing instruments’  and anyone serious about collecting Pelikan writing instruments, especially those prized vintage models, should seriously consider finding a copy of this book.  It would not be an exaggeration to describe it as an indispensable resource.

In the interval since the first printing, Dittmer and Lehmann undertook to provide more extensive information on the different models as well as include more pictures of the various pens described.  The book itself is a survey of models from 1929 to 2o04 and, while not an encyclopedic catalogue, it often gives information on special and limited editions that is not readily available elsewhere.  Not only are Pelikan’s writing instruments detailed but so is a thorough history of the company.  All of this was made possible by having unlimited access to the Pelikan archives in Hannover as well as through the help of many Pelikan collectors who are well-known across the globe.

The book is essentially written in a chronological progression.  It starts with the company’s history and then proceeds from the first model of pen released in 1929 to the latest limited edition release as of 2004.  Not only are the Souverän and Tradition lines addressed but also many of the lesser known models as well as an extensive description of the development of the Pelikano.  The last several pages detail a list of fountain pens as well as denoting their relative desirability and demand to the modern collector.  Along this journey are many high quality photos which really help to illustrate the descriptions in the text.  The photos were made by Claus Schüssler and are unequaled in any other text about Pelikan that I have seen.

One interesting note is that the book is written in both German and English.  Each page is split into two columns with the left column written in German and the right in English.  This format only takes a few pages to get used to but there are certain areas where it is noticeable that the book was written in German and then translated into English.  That said, the translator Marjalien D’hose did an excellent job and it is very readable.

What I like about this book is that it screams class.  It is a hardcover publication with a very  high quality binding.  There are two ribbon bookmarks and the pages are printed on high quality paper.  Physical design aside, much of the material covered cannot be found elsewhere and the insight provided is indispensable to the dedicated Pelikan collector.  The high quality photos make identifying pens easy and the guide in the back really helps with identifying and valuing vintage models.  What I don’t like is the lack of an index.  It takes a bit of time when searching for a specific piece of information and finding a small paragraph amongst the 188 pages can be tedious which degrades its value as a reference slightly.  Also, it is not an encyclopedic listing of Pelikan’s pens.  This was perhaps my biggest misconception before I obtained my copy.  A great many of the pens are detailed but there are also many others that are not so this book is not the final and definitive word on all of the makes/models.

At the end of the day, Schreibgeräte is probably the most definitive and complete resource out there for the Pelikan collector.  If you don’t already have a copy, finding one is not easy and, when you do,  expect to pay handsomely for it.  Still, it is worth the investment, especially since there is no third edition anywhere in sight.  This book will hold a place of honor on my bookshelf.  If you have a copy and haven’t looked at it in a while, perhaps it’s time to dust it off and take a fresh look at the beautiful photos and interesting information contained therein.

PDF Sample Pages

In 2012, Pelikan hosted a special auction in which 11 pens done in the Maki-e style were sold.  These were unique pieces, never to be reproduced.  The final sale prices ranged anywhere from $4400 to $19,000 plus.  While these prices are out of the price range for most of us, it is still fun to look at these beautiful pieces (and perhaps dream of hitting the lottery).  Two years later, Pelikan is again hosting a special auction, this time with 17 pieces up for sale, again done in the Maki-e style by renowned artist from Japan.

According to Pelikan, these pens will be available for purchase in successive auctions held at one-week intervals during November.  For those that don’t know, “Maki-e is a complex Japanese lacquer painting technique, which requires a great deal of patience and skill. The artist applies lacquer as well as gold and silver particles in multiple layers, which are repeatedly polished, giving a 3D effect. Only a few artists in the world have mastered the technique of Maki-e painting; it takes years to learn.”

These pens are designed off of either the M800 or M1000 models and starting prices are promised to range from $1,267 to $23,315.  The pens feature medium 18C – 750 gold nibs and 24 karat gold furniture (though some have rhodium trim).  Each pen will come with a certificate and unique packaging.

The pens up for auction are depicted below with links to pages detailing their individual stats.  My personal two favorites of this series are Lines of Fire and Seikaiha.  Don’t forget to check out the link at the end of this post for more information and the link to sign up directly from Pelikan.

1. Lines of Fire

2. Seikaiha

3. Milky Way

4. Blue Mount Fuji

5. Crane & Turtle

6. Ichimatsu

7. Feathers

8. Playing Cats

9. The Beauty of Nature

10. Paper Cranes

11. Ivy

12. Sunset

13. Wealth Violet

14. Health Green

15. Wealth Gold

16. Health Gold

17. Sharakku & Utamaro

More information and a link to register can be found at Pelikan.com/auction.

I have long been perplexed by the existence of various Pelikan ballpoints and fountain pens that feature a cap with a nib on a chain rather than a clip.  The extra nib hangs off of the cap, almost like a charm would.  That is not an entirely foreign concept as Pelikan tried something similar with their ‘Happy Pen’ in the 1970’s.  This variation of the tradition series is not well documented, however, in any of the materials that I have ever found.  No mention of it is made in either edition of Pelikan Schreibgeräte.  It certainly seems to be an odd choice of design and not very practical.  After much fruitless searching, I inquired from the most knowledgeable source that I know, Jürgen Dittmer of the Pelikan archives.  What I learned was also corroborated by information from Regina Martini, a well-known Pelikan retailer.

Pelikan Happy Pens 1973-77

The truth, it turns out, is nothing that exotic.  Jürgen tells me that in order to reduce an overstock of nibs, Pelikan produced a limited edition of fountain pens and ballpoints with a nib in place of the clip.  The limited edition must have occurred sometime before 1997 as I have only seen this variation on the older, pre-’97 trim pens.  I have also only seen this on M200 and M250 series fountain pens and their corresponding ballpoints.  If nothing else, it was an interesting way to reduce stock.

Pelikan M200 & K200 Black Nib-on-a-Chain Editions

Pelikan M250 & K200 Blue Marbled Nib-on-a-Chain Editions. Picture courtesy of Daenghafez of FPN.

While this site is dedicated to the Pelikan brand of fountain pens, I feel it reasonable to promote any cause that advances fountain pen awareness and the joys of handwriting.  For those of you who are unfamiliar, Fountain Pen Day occurs on the first Friday of every November.  This year, the event will fall on Friday, November 7th and will mark the third year that this day is observed around the globe.  According to the official site, the goal of the day is to, “embrace, promote, and share the use of fountain pens in day-to-day life, as well to help revive handwriting as a whole.”  There are a reported 61 vendors signed up this year who have pledged to support the day, many of whom will provide special deals/discounts.  When that day rolls around just 10 days from now, take a moment to write a letter, handwrite your posts to social media, or pass along the joys of writing to someone else.  Most importantly, take the day to unplug and express yourself with pen and paper instead of the all too pervasive ones and zeros.  For more information, check out the official web page, FountainPenDay.org

The M101N Tortoiseshell Red was recently released in September of 2014 and I wanted to mark the occasion by reviewing all three of the pens available in the series.  The M101N is the modern version of a line of pens that Pelikan first introduced in the 1930’s.  There were several variations released in that series, all of which command top dollar in today’s market due to their desirability amongst collectors.  Included in the original series were pens such as the highly sought after Lizard and the Tortoiseshell Red.  This new series pays homage to that lineage with an updated design while still retaining the original’s dimensions.  The first pen released in the series was the  Tortoiseshell Brown followed by the Lizard and then the Tortoiseshell Red. 

• Tortoiseshell Brown:  This model was released in 2011 and has a tortoise patterned barrel and cap with a brown piston knob, section, and cap top.  There are two cap bands, a green ink window, and the furniture is gold.  The cap top has an etched one chick logo and the nib is a monotone 14C-585 gold nib with ‘Pelikan’ inscribed across it.

• Lizard:  This model was released in 2012 and has a lizard pattern, though it is rather different from the historical model from which its design was inspired.  The piston knob, section, and cap top are black in color.  Like other M1o1N’s, there are two cap bands but the furniture on this model is rhodium and the ink window is grey.  The cap top has an etched one chick logo and the nib is a monotone 14C-585 rhodium plated nib with ‘Pelikan” inscribed across it.  

• Tortoiseshell Red:  This model was released in September of 2014 and has a tortoise patterned barrel  with a red cap, piston knob, and section.  There are two cap bands, an amber ink window, and the furniture is gold.  The cap top has an etched one chick logo and the nib is a monotone 14C-585 gold nib with ‘Pelikan’ inscribed across it.  This pen was released with special packaging that includes a bottle of Pelikan 4001 ink with vintage labeling.

M101N Tortoiseshell Red & Cobalt Blue Pen Stand

4001 ink packaged with the M101N Tortoiseshell Red

*Ratings below read from left to right and denote Tortoiseshell Brown, Lizard, and Tortoiseshell Red respectively

1. Appearance & Design (8, 7, & 10/10) – Striking, beautifully styled pens which cater to all sorts of taste

The M101N is a beautiful pen with an overall very striking appearance.  They are all styled very similarly in terms of size and trim.  In general, there are double cap bands but no other gold furniture aside from the cap clip.  The piston knob and section are color coordinated.  The nibs are styled after the vintage script nibs and are lacking the Pelikan logo seen on most of the nibs since the 1950’s.  The Tortoiseshell Brown is very beautiful and has a rich appearance.  The cap and barrel coordinate well earning this pen an 8/10.  The Lizard is the lowest scoring of the trio in terms of looks.  There is no texture to the pattern and while attractive, it is very subdued and underwhelming.  For that, it earns a 7/10.  The Lizard is a case where the vintage model remains superior in appearance.  The Tortoiseshell Red is stunning and has a beautiful red cap, piston knob, and section.  The striations of the barrel really stand out to good effect and the amber colored ink window is very complimentary earning this pen a 10/10.

2. Construction & Quality (10/10 across the board) – A pen that you’re not afraid to use

The M101N is no small investment but I feel a pen is meant to be used and not just admired.  I have put all three through a minimum of several weeks of use each and so far have not had any issues.  They seem durable and not at all fragile.  While light, they don’t feel insignificant in the hand.  I have had the Tortoiseshell Brown fall to the floor capped and survive none the worse for it.  I wouldn’t recommend dropping the pen as regular practice but it’s nice to know that it can take it if tested.

3. Weight & Dimensions (8/10 across the board) – A shorter, lighter pen with a good balance in the hand

These pens are 4.84 inches capped and 6.22 inches posted. It fits well in the hand whether posted or not.  I do like to post my pens but the cap does not post as securely as other pens that I’ve used and therefore this pen does not quite achieve that perfect balance for me that I’ve become accustomed to from my other Pelikans. That’s not to say you can’t post these pens, they just don’t post strongly and I have had the caps fall off the back of the barrel.  The weight of these pens is 0.52 ounces which is on the lighter side but they are neither cumbersome nor difficult to write with over longer periods which is a big plus.

Pen size comparison when capped. From left to right: M800, M600, M405, M200, M200, M101N, M150, M100

Pen size comparison when posted. From left to right: M800, M600, M405, M200, M200, M101N, M150, M100

4. Nib & Performance (9, 8, & 9/10) – Very smooth, wet writers as expected from a Pelikan

These nibs are 14C-585 gold done in the vintage style script nib featuring an inscription of the word “Pelikan.”  The two-tone logo nibs that we have known for some time are absent here.  The Lizard model has a rhodium plated nib whereas the others have monotone yellow gold nibs.  My Tortoiseshell Brown model has a medium nib and puts down a smooth, wet line that I would say is true to a medium.  I value smoothness and good ink flow and so give it a 9/10.  My Lizard has an extra fine nib which puts down more of a fine line.  The line is wet but there is some tooth to the writing experience.  This does not bother me in particular but certainly does put some people off.  For that bit of tooth, it gets an 8/10.  My Tortoiseshell Red has a fine nib and puts down a very wet and super smooth line that really is more of a medium than a fine.  Like most other modern nibs, these do not have any flex to them but they do have a very slight spring.  I generally find minimal to no line variation amongst my examples.  The iridium tipping continues to be the ball-type tipping pervasive on Pelikan’s since the mid-’90’s.  These are true to Pelikan’s habit of making very wet and generous writers though.  Of course actual line widths will depend on the ink type and paper used.  I have included a video of writing examples from each pen below.  Organics studio vintage style black was used on a Rhodia No 8 pad with each pen being dipped and not filled.

5. Filling System & Maintenance (10/10 across the board) – Pelikan’s tried and true piston filling mechanism

There isn’t much to say here.  The filling system is Pelikan’s legendary piston filling mechanism.  The piston is very smooth and consistent with the feel that all of the company’s piston filling pens provide.  One nice touch is that the mechanism is screwed into the barrel rather than being a friction fit like many of their other contemporary models.  It should be noted that the threads are left-handed though in the event you need to disassemble one.  While there is usually little to no reason to ever remove the piston assembly, it is nice to know that it can be easily done if need be.

M101N piston assembly

6. Cost & Value (7/10 across the board) – Somewhat pricey and not likely to be much cheaper on the secondary market

These are beautiful pens that appeal to a wide variety of taste.  Pelikan is certainly positioning themselves as purveyors of luxury writing instruments and, unfortunately, their prices reflect that.  The MSRP for these has been around $550 and the most recent model can be found for $450 – $520 at retail.  Given that these are produced in limited quantities and that the demand has been high, it can be hard to find deals on the secondary market and there have not been a lot of used models out there for sale.  Everyone has to determine for themselves if these pens are worth the price.  They certainly are sturdy and reliable writers with a definite level of panache but they don’t fit all budgets by any means.  I do feel that these pens will hold their value over time so purchasing one is not likely to result in a significant financial loss if you choose to sell it at a later date.

Conclusion –Excellent pens either as daily users or display pieces

• Tortoiseshell Brown: 52/60 0r 87%

• Lizard: 50/60 0r 83%

• Tortoiseshell Red: 54/60 0r 90%

I love the look and the feel of these pens.  The Tortoiseshell Red has clearly become my personal favorite but I understand that the design is not to everyone’s taste.  The more that I use it, the more I fall in love with it. These pens are durable, beautiful, and excellent performers. I would certainly recommend any one of these to anyone looking for a beautifully styled luxury pen that is also a joy to write with.  If you are looking for more character to your writing though, you will likely need to invest in a custom grind after purchase as there isn’t much variation inherent in these nibs.

Let me know what you think of this review and of these pens in general in the comments below.

Left: Pelikan M200 Cognac Demonstrator, Right: Pelikan M200 Amber Demonstrator

From time to time, I plan to focus on simple ‘How-To’ pieces that address fixes and/or maintenance that can be undertaken by the pen enthusiast at home.  Since I am not a pen repair professional, the advice that I convey should not be construed as coming from such and professional help should be sought for more advanced issues.  I will focus on issues that arise from regular use which can be repaired with a certain degree of ease resulting in a high likelihood of success.  My first such post was about lubricating the piston, perhaps the single most important maintenance a Pelikan piston filler would ever require.  While thinking about this post, I recalled one question that I see asked fairly often and it has to do with a loose piston knob.  While not necessarily affecting the function of the pen, it can be very disconcerting to an enthusiast who wants their pen to function according to factory specifications.   This is a problem that can develop on some models, especially lower tier ones, owing to the fact that they more commonly have a friction fitted piston assembly.  The normal behavior of the piston knob should be for it to sit securely against the barrel and not have any travel or play when the piston is in it’s fully retracted position.  Please note that I am not discussing the normal 1/8th of a turn delay in piston engagement which is actually quite normal.  What can happen though is that travel or play develops in the piston knob, even when the piston assembly is in the retracted position, keeping the knob from seating itself securely against the barrel.

Pelikan friction fitted piston assembly

Pens like the M101N’s, M800’s, M1000’s, as well as the Merz & Krell 400NN’s would not be subject to this phenomenon because they have threaded piston assemblies that aren’t likely to back out of the barrel.  Pens that have friction fitted assemblies have ridges in the barrel which the piston assembly locks into.  Examples would include but not be limited to the 400, 120, 140, and the pens of the M100 through M600 series.  When the piston is actuated, as in the act of filling the pen, the piston can be over-extended which serves to push the piston assembly out of the back of the barrel.  To avoid this problem, you should stop turning the piston knob immediately after the piston has reached the end of its downstroke.  A very stiff piston secondary to a lack of lubrication or a frozen piston due to poor maintenance and dried ink can also cause this issue.

Threaded Pelikan M101N piston assembly

The ridges that facilitate the securing of the piston assembly inside the barrel can be damaged/sheared, sometimes irreparably.  Also, a pen that has had the piston assembly removed for repair or service a few times can also become damaged.  That is why I stress that it is rarely ever indicated to remove the piston assembly of a Pelikan (if doing so, however, piston assemblies have to be pushed out from the front as pulling an assembly out will damage it).  There is a technique that can help fix the issue of a loose piston knob but I stress again that I am not a pen repair professional and that any damage that your pen may incur following the advice below, however unlikely, is your sole responsibility.  If you have any concerns or doubts, you should seek out the services of an independent pen repair professional or the repair services of Pelikan themselves.

Red Pelikan M205. Arrow indicates direction of force to be applied to the piston knob

The Cure:  With the piston knob in the retracted position (piston up), hold the barrel firmly in one hand (a non-slip material that helps provide sufficient grip comes in handy here) and push in on the back-end of the knob, pushing it towards the section.  I recommend removing the nib if feasible in order to prevent any accidents.  Hopefully this seats the assembly back into the barrel and solves the problem.  If this does not re-seat the piston assembly, it may be that there is another problem at work or that the locking ridges may be sheared and thereby not providing sufficient grip of the assembly.  In general, I would avoid any applications of heat by a novice as it can easily warp a barrel and render a pen damaged beyond repair.

A subtle distinction exist between limited and special edition pens.  Pelikan has manufactured many limited edition pieces which are characterized by production in limited numbers.  In contrast, special edition pens are often produced in an unlimited number but only for a limited period of time.  Since the mid-1990′s, Pelikan has released many limited edition pens.  These are often targeted at a specific consumer group with sufficient purchasing power as the price of these models usually comes at a premium.  Since these pens are only available in a known limited quantity, the company builds in an incentive to buy.  Examples would include; The Pyramids of Giza, The Hanging Gardens, The 1000 Years of Austria, Golden Phoenix, The Originals of Their Time series, Hunting, Golf, and Wall Street just to name a few.  These are pens designed to commemorate certain events in history, places, historic pen models, or activities.  There is also a subset of special edition pens produced in a  limited quantity which are made at the request of a specific consumer or for a particular region.  This practice within the company dates back to before World War II with the production of the Emege pens and has continued since that time.  This has resulted in several variations based off of mainstream model lines that were produced only in small runs for a specific customer though were not themselves numbered.  Six of those pens from the modern era will be detailed in this post.

Left to right: M150 Bols, M200 Deutsche Telekom, M201 Clear Demo, M200 Citroenpers, M250 Nib-on-a-Chain, M250 Tortoiseshell Brown

M150 Blue Transparent Demonstrator

The blue transparent M150 was released in 1994 for the Bols Company of the Netherlands.  Lucas Bols is the world’s oldest distilled spirit brand dating back to 1575 and  one of the oldest Dutch companies that remains active today.  This model was released the year after the M800 Blue Ocean and is made in a slightly different shade of blue.  The run was limited to just 3000 fountain pens.  This pen comes in the pre-’97 trim package and is distinguished by a derby cap top, gold-plated furniture, absence of a trim ring on the barrel, and beveled cap band at the lip.  The nib is gold-plated stainless steel.

M200 Magenta/Grey

The magenta/grey M200 was released in 1994, the same year as the Bols M150.  It was a special edition release of just 5000 fountain pens for the Deutsche Telekom AG phone company (rollerballs and ballpoints exist as well).  The pen was made at the time Deutsche Telekom was transitioning their company color scheme.  This pen demonstrates the pre-’97 trim package with a derby cap top, absence of a trim ring on the barrel, and two cap bands.  Interestingly, this is the only M200 to feature rhodium plated furniture as opposed to gold (commonly seen on the M205/M215).  The nib is made of stainless steel.  The words “Telekom Germany” are engraved on the cap band but there were a number of pens made available for sale with the standard Pelikan cap ring engraving sold through Galleria Kaufhof.  

M201 Clear Demonstrator 

The clear demonstrator M201 was released in the year 2000 and was a run of 3000 pieces.  This was a clear demonstrator with a black piston mechanism which had the same dimensions and furniture as the M200.  Since it is a post-’97 model, it is distinguished by a crown cap top, gold-plated furniture, single cap band, and has a single trim ring at the piston knob.  The nib is gold-plated stainless steel.  It is an M200 for all intents and purposes but was manufactured for the Japanese market at the request of retailers and branded M201.  It is nearly identical in appearance to the M250 clear demonstrator which was made later for the Levenger company.  A version of this pen was re-released in 2012 which differs in that it has a gold band surrounding the crown cap top and the piston assembly is transparent instead of black.  Related Information

M200 Creme Yellow

The creme yellow M200 was released in 2002 and limited to only 1200 pieces.  This run was commissioned by Aldert Walrecht (1931- 2009) to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his company, Citroenpers Publishing of the Netherlands.  The pen was available with a limited edition art book with color prints made by the publisher’s youngest son, Rogier Walrecht.  Citroenpers translates into English as Lemon Press.  There was a second run of this pen sold through Galleria Kaufhof sometime later.  The Citroenpers edition is distinguished by two chicks in the nest on the cap top versus just one seen on the re-issue.  Since it is a post-’97 model, it has the crown cap top, gold-plated furniture, single cap band, and has a single trim ring at the piston knob.  The nib is gold-plated stainless steel and the ink window is clear instead of the usual colored variant.

M250 Blue Marbled

This special edition blue marbled M250 does not have as clear a lineage as some of the other pens described here.  At some point in the mid-1990′s, Pelikan had an overstock of nibs and, in order to reduce inventory, released a limited edition of pens with a nib-on-a-chain in place of the clip.  This was seen on the M250, M200, K200, and D200.  This pen has the pre-’97 trim package which includes the derby cap top, gold-plated furniture, absence of a trim ring on the barrel, and two cap bands.  The nib is made of 14C-585 gold.  It is unclear just how many of these are out there.  Related Information

M250 Tortoiseshell Brown

The tortoiseshell brown M250 was released in the late 1990′s.  It was a special edition commissioned by the Levenger company and sold for $159 when new.  There was also a matching rollerball released.  This pen is composed of a pre-1997 M600 barrel and M200 cap.  The M250 has a brown tortoise barrel, a thick trim ring at the piston knob, no trim ring on the section, double cap bands, and a derby cap top with an etched two chick logo.  The furniture is gold-plated, the cap and piston knob are dark brown, and the nib is monotone 14C-585 gold.  It is also unclear just how many of these were ever produced.  Related Information

Select Special Edition Releases

*The above list only refers to the number of fountain pens produced and is by no means meant to be an exhaustive list.  It is provided for your reference only.

There are many reasons, some subjective and others objective, as to why Pelikan pens are as popular and lasting as they are.  Undoubtedly, one feature that clearly endears them to novices and enthusiasts alike is the fact that the nibs are interchangeable and, by and large, have been so since the inception of the model 100.  The nib is the business end of the pen and if it is not performing as expected or becomes damaged, even the most beautiful fountain pen in the world is rendered useless.  I previously discussed  these nibs and their ability to be easily exchanged (amongst other attributes) in my post, The Evolution of the Collar, Feed, & Nib.  What’s more, not only are the nibs interchangeable but that this can be accomplished by the end-user and does not require a sometimes lengthy trip back to the manufacturer or a certified dealer, certainly a boon to the user.  These facts combine to allow one pen to take on a significant amount of character as Pelikan’s catalogue of nibs over the years has contained a wide variety of expressive options, not to mention the variety of custom grinds available from third parties today.  Even if you only own one nib, the ability to change nibs can come in quite handy in the event of accidental damage (why is it that all uncapped pens insist on landing nib side down?).  I could continue to expound on the virtues of the interchangeable nib but that is not our purpose today.  Today, I want to review for you exactly how to safely remove and replace a nib because this can be an area of confusion for many and some forethought should be employed prior to attempting.  Rest assured, however, that this is a safe procedure which can be carried out without much difficulty or skill.

What You’ll Need:

1. No special tools required

Procedure:

To Remove

1. Unscrew and remove the cap from the pen thereby exposing the nib and feed.
2. Placed the feed of the pen in the crook of the index finger of your non-dominant hand with the tip of the nib pointing towards the ground.
3. Take the thumb of that same hand and apply pressure to the top of the nib, thereby preventing the nib from shifting on the feed.
4. Now, with your dominant hand, turn the BARREL counterclockwise to unscrew the nib from the section (the nib itself should never move in your hand).

To Replace

1. To replace the nib or install a new nib, repeat the above steps, only this time turning the barrel clockwise.
2. Seat the nib firmly and securely in the section but there is no need to apply excessive torque.  You want the feed snug but not over-tightened.

Discussion:

The procedure described above will work for any of Pelikan’s fountain pens that incorporate a removable nib with a threaded collar (note that not all do).  This would include but not be limited to the 100, 100N, 101N, 120, 140, Ibis, 400, 400N, 400NN, all Souverän, and all Tradition series pens.  Care should be taken to remove the nib in a safe environment and precautions put in place to minimize potential damage from dropping the nib.  The above procedure can be performed in a pen filled with ink, what I term a “hot-swap” of the nib.  The procedure is the same as described above except that the nib tip should be pointing up towards the sky or else you are liable to spill the ink from the reservoir.  Once the new nib is installed, I gently advance the piston until a drop of ink comes out of the feed in order to prime the feed and nib for writing before retracting the piston back to its resting position.  While it is true that no special tools are required for the removal of the nib, I will demonstrate in one of the videos below how to remove a nib should you have one of Pelikan’s nib removal tools on hand (sold with the MC110 and MC120 sets).  While convenient, this is certainly not necessary nor is it worth searching out one for this sole purpose.

Pelikan’s nib removal tool sold with MC110 and MC120 calligraphy sets

Special Considerations:

• All nibs, both modern and vintage, can become stuck in the section.  This is usually the result of an accumulation of dried ink which acts like cement or glue.  The cure for this is repeated soaking of the nib, feed, and section as well as flushing the pen in order to dissolve any ink and free the feed.  If there is any significant resistance to removal during step 4, I soak the nib.  If necessary, I also employ a dilute ammonia solution to help with dissolution of any old ink.  Failure to do so can result in damage.  With nib removal, it never pays to be hasty.  I also do not favor the application of heat routinely as this too often can be done incorrectly resulting in warping of the barrel.  Ultrasonic cleaners have been employed with success but I would be very cautious as damage can occur, especially to vintage pens with prolonged exposure.

• Vintage nibs from the 1950′s and 1960′s may have a polystyrene collar (clear plastic).  Pens at risk for this would be the 400NN, 120, and 140.  This collar becomes very brittle and is often found cracked.  A nib/feed might twist and twist in place before pulling out leaving the collar stuck in the section.  This is not uncommon on those models and needs to be handled with care.  You can either attempt replacing the nib and feed into the collar but you may be prone to leaks in that scenario.  In this situation, the collar most likely will need replacement.  See my post on polystyrene collars for further information regarding this unique situation.

• Vintage feeds with the longitudinal fins are made of ebonite, a type of plastic that can become brittle over time.  These are very reliable feeds but are easily prone to cracking/chipping.  If any significant torque is applied during removal of the nib, especially if the feed is stuck in the section, damage can occur.  The fact that Pelikan had a special tool just for the removal of these nibs (now nearly impossible to find) should be very telling about their delicate nature.  It is very important to soak these nibs thoroughly and exercise extra caution when removing.  Rather than just the crook of my finger, I favor using a soft cloth or paper towel for added cushioning/protection but the procedure for removal is otherwise the same as described above.  Due to the inherent risk of damage to the vintage ebonite, I try to refrain from removing vintage nibs unless absolutely necessary.

Left: Modern feed with horizontal fins. Right: Vintage feed with longitudinal fins

• If I do have the nib out of a pen for any reason, I favor applying the smallest amount of pure silicone paste to the threads of the collar to prevent the nib assembly from ever seizing in the section should removal again become necessary in the future.  I see no downside to this practice provided PURE silicone paste is used.  Other products may contain petroleum which can damage plastics over time.  This is completely optional and only a matter of preference.

Removal of a Modern Pelikan Nib

Removal of a Modern Pelikan Nib Using a Nib Removal Tool

Removal of a Vintage Pelikan Nib

This is the first installment of a multi-part series looking at what I consider to be the middle child of the Souverän family, the M600.  This first post will explore the history, features, and variations of the M600.  In a follow-up post, I will be reviewing both the old and new style M600 pens in a head to head match-up.  The M600 has one of the more interesting histories amongst Pelikan’s Souverän line-up and therefore is also prone to generate confusion amongst collectors.  As I’ve described previously, the year 1997 saw many changes to the trim styles of both the Souverän and Tradition series of pens.  Perhaps no pen was more affected than the M600 because not only did the trim change, the actual physical dimensions of the pen did as well.  The M600 was originally introduced in 1988, the year after the M800 was debuted.  At that time, it had the same exact dimensions as the M400 but included an upgraded trim package, more in line with that of the M800.  The initially available barrel colors included black and the familiar green striated variations.  Burgundy and tortoise versions also exist but these are much less frequently encountered due to their limited production run.  

During the M600’s first year (1988), it was included with a monotone 18C-750 gold nib.  In 1989, a two-toned 14C-585 nib was employed.  Finally, in 1990, Pelikan settled on a two toned 18C-750 nib which was utilized until the trim change (1990-1997) at which point they returned to the 14C-585 two-toned nibs for all but their special editions.  It should be noted that many of the older 18C-750 nibs have the PF and E|N hallmarks depending on the market to which they were destined.  When the trim styles changed in 1997, Pelikan opted to also adjust the physical size of the M600 in order to bring it more in line with the size increase inherent in the line-up as you progressed from the M400 through the then newly introduced M1000.  The total length of the pen was increased as well as the diameter of the barrel, fitting it as far as size goes squarely in-between the M400 and the M800.  Since that time it has held an interesting spot in the line-up, being that in-between option size wise but also having the lighter feeling of the M400 owing to its lack of the brass piston assembly found on the larger models.

Size comparison of the modern Pelikan Souverän line-up excerpted from the 2013 Pelikan product catalog

• Old-Style, Pre-1997 M600:  This model was released in 1988 and is most commonly found in black and green striated variations (burgundy and tortoise models exist but are much rarer).  The cap is black on these two more common pens with a black piston knob and section.  There are two cap bands, a trim ring at the section, and a thicker trim ring at the piston knob.  Some of the pens manufactured before the re-unification will have “W.-Germany” engraved on the cap band.  The furniture is gold-plated and the cap top has an etched two chick logo.  The barrel exhibits transparency to allow the ink level to be viewed on the striated model whereas an ink window serves this purpose on the solid colored models.  The nib, if original, can be used to date the pen.  They are all “logo” nibs which were 18C-750 monotone gold in 1988, 14C-585 two-tone gold in 1989, and 18C-750 two-tone gold from 1990 until the pen’s design was changed in 1997.  These pens have the same dimensions as the M400 as depicted in the table above.  The ink capacity is approximately 1.29 mL.

• New-Style, Post-1997 M600:  This model was released in 1997.  It’s chassis has been used to launch multiple special editions such as the M620 Cities series and the M640 Beauty of Nature series as well as others.  The M600 itself has commonly been available in black, green striated, blue striated, and red striated.  Amongst those more common color variations, the piston knob, section, and cap are black in color.  There are two cap bands, a trim ring at the section, and two trim rings at the piston knob.  The furniture is gold-plated.  The cap top has a painted two chick logo from 1997-2003, a one chick logo from 2003-2010, and a 24K plated one chick logo cap top from 2010 to present.  The nib depicts the Pelikan logo and is a two-tone 14C-585 gold (special editions more commonly have 18C-750 nibs).  The barrel exhibits transparency to allow the ink level to be viewed on the striated variations.  As noted above, the dimensions of the pen are larger, placing it squarely between the M400 and M800 in the Souverän family.  The ink capacity is approximately 1.37 mL.

Both of the M600’s feature a friction fitted piston assembly.  It is not until you step up to the M800 that you begin to find a threaded assembly.  While this is not usually an issue, I have seen reports of the piston knob becoming loose as the assembly has inadvertently backed out of the barrel.  For more information about loose piston knobs, see my prior post on that topic.  Once the M600 was redesigned, it became a platform for the release of many special and limited editions based off of the chassis.  The M640 is one of these special editions in the M6xx family but actually is a significant departure in design from the other models in the 600 family and so I’ll be reviewing and discussing it separately in the final post of this series.  A list of all of the various models that have been included in the M600 series over the years will be shown at the end of this post.  All told, there have been 42 different variations released in the M6xx series over its 26 year existence.

Side by side comparison. Left: Old-style M600, right: New-style M600

Excerpt from a Pelikan sales catalog circa 1990. Picture courtesy of Mark of FPN; http://goo.gl/TCdpMI

Excerpt from a Pelikan sales catalog circa 1995. Picture courtesy of Mark of FPN; http://goo.gl/TCdpMI

Examples of various M600 nibs and years of availability. Picture courtesy of Mark of FPN; http://goo.gl/TCdpMI

Pre-1997 Trim  – M600

Post-1997 Trim – M600

* Limited edition of 3500 pieces produced for Sony Malaysia in 2001.  Equipped with an 18C-750 gold nib.

**Special edition models

Post-1997 Trim – M605

§ All of the above pens are distinguished by rhodium rather than gold-plated furniture. 

Post-1997 Trim – Special Editions M620/M640

§ All of the above pens have 18C-750 gold nibs.  Color schemes vary based on the edition.  The M640 series notably is without an ink view window and has a barrel which bulges in the middle, a design not found on other pens in the M6xx series. 

Post-1997 Trim – Miscellaneous

§ All of the above pens have 18C-750 gold nibs.  The M625 series has silver piston knobs.

This is the second installment of what I intend to be a three-part segment looking at the M600.  The first post, “A Tale of Two M600’s,” looked back at the history of the M600 and the design changes which occurred in 1997 that forever altered the physical appearance as well as the fit-in-the-hand of the pen.  Where that post focused on the origins of these pens, this post will be a direct review, a head to head comparison of the pre-1997, old-style M600 versus the post-1997, new style M600.  It is important to look at the two side by side because even though they share the same moniker, they are very different pens and will therefore appeal to different people.  Interestingly, years ago when I looked to branch out and try a bigger pen, I decided to seek out an M600, mostly due to it’s more budget friendly appeal when compared to an M800 or M1000.  Not knowing much about the pen at all and not having the knowledge of sites such as this one, I purchased an M600 on the used market only, much to my surprise, to find it the same size as the few M200 and M400 models in my collection.  I thought that a mistake had been made and, at first, was upset until I learned what I have already shared with you in part one of this series.  Once I realized that the confusion was all mine, I was actually very pleased with my acquisition and soon followed it up with the post-1997 variant that I had initially envisioned.  Those two pens from my personal collection are what I will review for you today.

• Old Style, Pre-1997 M600:  The pen up for review is the green striated variation.  It has an 18C-750 gold fine nib which is two-toned indicating this pen’s manufacture date was roughly between 1990-1997.

• New Style, Post-1997 M600:  This is also the green striated variation with a 14C-585 gold extra fine nib.  This pen’s manufacture date was likely 2003-2010 given the one chick painted logo on the cap top.

*Ratings below read from left to right and denote the Pre-1997 and Post-1997 M600’s respectively

1. Appearance & Design (8.5 & 8/10) – Classic Pelikan Stresemann.  Not overly ostentatious but immediately recognizable

Both of these M600’s have a very striking design without being particularly showy.  They are as well suited for the board room as much as they are for use in the home or anywhere a pen may be needed.  The big difference that strikes you when these pens are held side by side is the size of the pens with the new style being noticeably larger (as discussed below).  Other than that, the old style has a single, somewhat thicker trim ring at the piston knob whereas the new style has the double trim rings now very recognizable across all modern Souverän pens.  The cap tops also differ in that the older model has an etched logo and the newer model is the screened/painted version.  Both have Pelikan beak clips, double cap bands, two-toned gold nibs, and a trim ring at the section.  Size not withstanding, the differences between the two are subtle and certainly any preference for one over the other would be a matter of subjectivity.  That said, I do favor the old style M600 ever so slightly given the overall appearance when capped with that single trim ring at the piston knob and the etched cap top with the painted green Pelikan logo.  For that, the old style pen scores an 8.5 while its more recent sibling gets an 8.

Winner: Old style, Pre-1997 M600

2. Construction & Quality (9 & 9/10) – Durable pens that feel solid in the hand

Even the most beautiful pen in all the land is essentially worthless if it is too precious or fragile to be used on a regular basis.  Thankfully, these pens do not come off as fragile at all.  They have a robust feel in the hand and never have I ever had any concern about their durability.  They have a nice fit and finish and no appreciable seams.  The striated barrel which allows some translucency to evaluate ink levels is particularly attractive and functional.  There are some reports amongst those in the community and I have seen photographs of the barrel snapping off cleanly at the section when the pen is dropped.  I’m sure that this is a stress point for Pelikan pens in general and is not specific to the M600.  I have never encountered this problem myself but I am also not in the habit of dropping my pens.  If you are, this may be something worth considering.

Winner: Tie

Left: Old style M600 etched cap top (’90-97); Right: New style M600 painted cap top (’03-10)

Left: Old style M600 cap; Right: New style M600 cap

3. Weight & Dimensions (9 & 9.5/10) – Both light pens but differing in length and diameter

These pens definitely provide a different feel in the hand which is the most likely reason that one would favor one variant over the other.  The old style M600 is 5 inches capped and 5.83 inches when posted.  It has a diameter of 0.46 inches and a weight of 0.53 ounces.  This is contrasted against the new style M600 which is 5.28 inches capped, 6.02 inches posted, has a diameter of 0.49 inches, and a weight of 0.61 ounces.  The difference in length is certainly noticeable.  I would say that the change in weight that the size difference confers is rather negligible.  Make no mistake about it, these pens are light.  If the weight of an M2oo or M400 hasn’t suited you, the M600 may not be to your taste and an M800 with its brass piston assembly may be more to taste.  I find both pens comfortable for long writing sessions.  I post all of my pens and both pens have excellent balance when posted.  If you don’t post, the new style M600 is certainly a bit more comfortable to use.  I have medium-large hands and can use both pens without difficulty.  Given the slight step up in both diameter and length, the new style M600 just feels a slight bit more substantial and therefore edges out the its older sibling with a score of 9.5 versus 9.

Winner: New style, Post-1997 M600

Left: Old style M600 (’90-97); Right: New style M600 (’03-10)

4. Nib & Performance (8.5 & 7/10) – Smooth, wet writers  that are true to their size designations

As previously mentioned, Pelikan went through three variations with the nib of the M600 after they were introduced in 1988.  My version is the later nib from 1990-97 so this review is not applicable to the 18C-750 monotone nib used in 1988 or the 14C-585 two-toned nib used in 1989. The 18C-750 gold nib of my old style M600 is quite springy with perhaps even a hint of flex and puts down a smooth fine line that is generally wet like most Pelikans but perhaps less so given the fineness of the line.  The new style M600 also puts down a fine line but, like most other modern Pelikans, the nib is without significant spring, often described as a “nail.”  That is not necessarily a bad thing but if spring and flex are your interests, than this is not the nib for you.  One could argue that the lack of spring is because one nib is 18C and the other is 14C but this lack of spring extends to the modern 18C nibs so I believe it is more likely a characteristic owing to the date of production rather than the materials used.  Between the two, however, I would favor the springiness of the old style 18C-750 gold nib.  Going in favor of both pens is the ability to remove and replace the nibs which is a great boon for maintenance, repair, replacement, or customization.

Winner:  Old style, Pre-1997 M600

Left: New style M600 14C-585 gold nib (’03-10); Right: Old style M600 18C-750 gold nib (’90-97)

5. Filling System & Maintenance (10 & 10/10) – Pelikan’s historic piston filling mechanism

The filling system employed by both of these pens is Pelikan’s legendary piston filling mechanism.  As such, the piston has a noticeably smooth travel and provides nearly a full fill on a single stroke.  These are friction fitted assemblies though so removal is not straight forward and repeated attempts to do so can lead to damage.  Thankfully, the reliability of the piston means that this is rarely ever necessary and these piston seals are quite durable when properly cared for.  The nibs can be unscrewed to help facilitate flushing as well as allow the reapplication of silicone grease when necessary making these pens very user-friendly and serviceable.

Winner:  Tie

6. Cost & Value (7 & 6.5/10) – Older models are somewhat hard to find and newer models continue to rise in cost

It is here, when examining cost and value that I feel the most let down by the pens.  The old style M600 is somewhat more difficult to find these days and commands an average of $250-300 in the auction market.  Pelikan has continued to increase the cost of their pens over the years such that the new M600 has an MSRP around $500 and is often found for sale between $300-400 with special editions more commonly in the $400’s.  I understand that the expense of production rises over the years and that there needs to be a certain amount of that passed onto the consumer to remain viable.  One of the things which initially attracted me to the brand was the affordability of even some of their more premium lines which was in stark contrast to some other well-known high-end pen manufacturers.  This distinction has become much less over the years but I still find the brand to be a good buy, just not as well suited to the variety of budgets that it once was.  There is a thriving secondary market out there so many deals can be had if you choose to purchase used rather than new.  The old style M600 edges out the new style here as the consistent demand for it is likely to help maintain its resale value.

Winner:  Old style, Pre-1997 M600

Conclusion – Both excellent pens

• Old Style, Pre-1997 M600: 52/60 0r 87%

• New Style, Post-1997 M600: 50/60 0r 83%

I love both of these pens and am happy to have them in my collection.  I think that the design is classic, the dependability is without question, and both pens provide a comfortable writing experience.  Much of choosing one pen over another comes down to personal preference as much of the distinction between the two is subjective.  At the end of the day, I don’t think that you could go wrong with either pen.  Both have their place.  If I had to pick one over another in terms of looks and writing performance only, I would most likely choose the old style M600.  If size is what mattered to me at the time, then I would be very happy with the new style M600.  The rising cost have made the M600 less of a bargain with many turning to either the cheaper and smaller M400 or the heftier M800 but the M600 does satisfy a sweet spot for many users and should not be discounted.

A Look At Old & New Style Pelikan M600’s Side-by-Side

Old & New Style Pelikan M600 Writing Samples

Part 1: A Tale of Two M600’s

Part 2: Review: Old & New Style M600’s Head-to-Head

Part 3: Review: The M640 – An Oddity Amongst M6xx Special Editions

This is the third and final installment of my series exploring the M600.  In my first post, I endeavored to explore the differences between both the old and new style M600’s.  The second post reviewed those pens from the two different eras in a head to head comparison.  For this post, I wanted to focus on another member of the M6xx family, one that defies the usual styling of the series and makes it somewhat of an oddity in the line-up.  The pen up for review here is the M640 Mount Everest, released in 2008.  This pen is part of the “Beauty of Nature” series which is composed of six pens in total released from 2007-2011.  The theme behind these pens is centered upon celebrating the beauty of the natural world around us.  What makes this series somewhat unique is that there are several departures in design from most of the other pens in the Souverän series, regardless of model, which I will try to highlight below.  This departure in design has polarized some of the fan base as many have found it difficult to embrace certain design elements.  The pen being reviewed today is from my personal collection but this review should be able to be generalized to all of the pens in the series.

• M640 Mount Everest (2008):  The M640 line-up all have similar characteristics.  The barrel is made of metal and the various models have engraving/lacquer/filigree work to achieve their artistic visual effects.  The pattern itself is not tactile though as the finish of the pen is smooth.  There is a single trim ring at the piston knob and one on the section.  There are two cap bands and the cap top has a painted one chick Pelikan logo surrounded by rhodium trim.  The traditional “crown” cap top is absent here.  The cap clip is also not the traditional pelican’s beak but rather more broad and less beak-like.  The cap, section, and barrel are made of matching colored resin.  The furniture is rhodium plated and the nibs are a monotone rhodium plated 18C-750 gold except for the Sahara and Mount Everest which feature a two-toned nib.  There is no ink window or visualated section and the barrel has a slight bulge in the middle rather than being a straight cylinder.

1. Appearance & Design (7/10) – A departure from the standard design that is a mixed bag

The M640 is a departure from the standard Pelikan aesthetics.  I like the variety that this line injects into the series but I understand that the looks of this pen do not suit everyone.  First, the clip is not the traditional pelicans beak which I have seen some people very upset over.  It is true that this clip is much broader and less stylized but it does not feel out-of-place and compliments the other design elements well.  I like that there is only a single trim ring at the piston knob and the plated, reflective finish at the apex of the piston knob is a nice flourish.  There are six different designs that have been released over the course of the series and I tend to favor Niagara Falls, Sahara, and Polar Lights.  While the others are still nice, I don’t find them as striking as the first three releases.  I like that the design on the barrel is not tactile but rather a smooth lacquered finish.  What is interesting is that the barrel bows out at the middle.  I find that this is surprisingly comfortable in my hand, even for longer writing sessions but I have heard some take issue with this element.  The choice in design that is the biggest let down for me is the lack of an ink window.  I love how I can gauge the remaining ink level on almost all Pelikan’s.  It is by far and away one of my favorite features.  These pens have no way of gauging the remaining amount of ink which is perhaps my largest gripe about the design.

2. Construction & Quality (9/10) – A very solid feel evoking a sense of confidence

There is no evidence of fragility here and I have no reason to believe that these pens will not endure.  With regular use, my pen still looks like new.  I imagine with heavy use and the accumulation of multiple years, there could be wear to the lacquer finish and perhaps damage to the underlying design but only time will tell.  The piston mechanism is a thing of precision and the overall feel of the pen conveys confidence that it is a sturdy writing implement.

Left to right: Pre-’97 M600, Post-’97 M600, M640 Mount Everest

3. Weight & Dimensions (8.5/10) – A heftier pen which is bigger than its siblings

These pens are very different from the others in the M6xx family.  The metal barrel provides a certain degree of heft which is not insubstantial and is not found on others in the family.  It weighs 1.16 ounces which is about 0.55 ounces heavier than the modern M600.  In fact, it is actually heavier than the M800 (1.03 ounces) and only just under the weight of an M1000 (1.20 ounces).  The pen is 5.31 inches long when capped and 6.14 inches when posted.  The diameter is 0.55 inches.  As you can see in the picture below, the pen is a bit taller and wider than the modern M600 and much more significantly so when compared to the old style M600.

Left to right: Pre-’97 M600, Post-’97 M600, M640 Mount Everest

4. Nib & Performance (8/10) – Smooth and wet but generally firm

The nib on my pen is an 18C-750 gold two-toned nib.  All of the other pens in the series except for the Sahara have an 18C-750 monotone rhodium plated nib.  The two-toned nature of the Mount Everest nib compliments the topography of the barrel nicely.  In terms of performance, it is exactly what I would expect from a modern Pelikan.  My version of this nib is fine and does indeed put down a line relatively true to its designation.  The line is wet and generally smooth, without significant tooth.  Like most other modern nibs, there isn’t much spring to speak of as the nib is rather firm.  This is not an issue for me as I do not have a good command of a flex nib but certainly is a consideration for some.  The nib is removable like most of Pelikan’s other offerings and therefore can be swapped or customized very easily.

18C-750 two-toned nib in fine

5. Filling System & Maintenance (10/10) – Tried and true piston filling mechanism

The filling system is based on Pelikan’s historic piston mechanism and is not any different from their other models.  It travels smoothly and the piston knob seats nicely against the barrel.  These modern pistons are very durable and should provide trouble-free service for quite some time.  As stated above, the nibs can be unscrewed to facilitate flushing and application of silicone grease when necessary making these pens very user-friendly and serviceable.

6. Cost & Value (8/10) – Can be found for more reasonable prices than some other special editions

Whether it’s the odd shape or the atypical appearance, it seems that these pens are somewhat more affordable than some other special editions that have been released.  No longer in current production, any examples would have to be picked up as left over stock or found on the secondary market.  Prices at auction range from $235 – $400 depending on the model.  These are nicely styled pens that have a substantial feel in the hand and are unique in the Pelikan line-up.  Given that they provide the type of writing experience that you would expect from a Pelikan, I think that it makes them a good buy.

Conclusion – An unusually styled pen that stands on its own merits but is marred by the lack of an ink window

• M640 Mount Everest: 50.5/60 0r 84%

I find the M640 somewhat refreshing in terms of the unique barrel design and really appreciate the heft of the pen without having to step up to the M800 or M1000.  If you prefer a heavier pen, this may be a more affordable option than either of those.  Some of the earlier designs are more eye-catching to me but that is purely a matter of taste.  Many people take issue with the design elements chosen but I feel they work well with this model and are not at all out-of-place.  This pen is classified as an M640 but it has neither the shape, size, or weight of any other pen in the M6xx line-up so while that is its technical designation, it feels more like it was placed there for a lack of a better location.  At the end of the day, my biggest complaint about this pen and the whole series is the lack of an ink window.  I value being able to gauge how much ink is left in my pen because I only carry one at a time.  While you could fill the pen regularly to avoid running out, I like that my other Pelikans are hassle free and don’t require this of me.  Despite that issue, I like my M640 very much and would certainly pick up others in the series if the opportunity presented itself.

A Look At The Pelikan M640 Mount Everest

Pelikan M640 Mount Everest Writing Sample

Part 1: A Tale of Two M600’s

Part 2: Review: Old & New Style M600’s Head-to-Head

Part 3: Review: The M640 – An Oddity Amongst M6xx Special Editions

M600 Vibrant Green

In keeping with my vision for this site, The Aviary continues to grow with the addition of the Souverän M6xx family of pens now available for your reference.  Conspicuously, this follows on the heels of my recent in-depth look at the M600 series of fountain pens which I hope was able to provide some useful information on this middle child of the Souverän line-up.  The Aviary now includes a page detailing all of the variations of the M6xx family available at the time of this post, including the special editions.  You will find write-ups detailing the features of these pens as well as photographs of nearly all of the 41 known variations to aid in identification/reference.  Also, in case you may have missed it, below you will find links to my 3 part series looking at the M6xx family.  In the future, I hope to grow The Aviary to include a similar treatment of the other members of the Souverän line.  Also, don’t forget to check out the M75, M1xx, M2xx, M481, and M101N pages that have previously been added.

Part 1: A Tale of Two M600’s - A look at the similarities and differences of both the old and new style M600’s.

Part 2: Review: Old & New Style M600’s Head-to-Head - A review comparing both the old and new style M600’s.

Part 3: Review: The M640 – An Oddity Amongst M6xx Special Editions - A review of the M640 Mount Everest (and the series in general), one of the more usual special editions released.

M805 Stresemann

In the early morning hours of Saturday, December 13th Pelikan announced to the community via its Facebook page for Pelikan International that something new was coming.  It was described as the reinterpretation of a classic and an image of just the silhouette of a pen was provided with a short caption.  Of course, this generated no shortage of speculation and commentary throughout the weekend.  I saw quite a range of guesses as to what was in store, many of which seemed to be hoping for some new variation of tortoise.  Thankfully, Pelikan did not keep us waiting for long and, just 48 hours later, they have made the announcement that in 2015 they will be releasing an M805 with a new binde (pronounced BIN-duh) dubbed Stresemann.  Binde is a German word that describes the colored/patterned sleeve that is fitted around the outside of the barrel of a pen.  It is more of a historical term as the old birds had a barrel with a separate binde to provide the coloration.  I believe that this is still the case though for the M8xx series and up but does not hold true for the smaller Souveräns.

 What then is the reinterpreted classic?  The famous Stresemann binde previously available in green, red, and blue is now going to be available in ANTHRACITE, a rich charcoal color.  For those of you not familiar with the term Stresemann, it is a term that has been used to describe Pelikan’s classic pinstripe appearance with green and black stripes.  It is the nickname of the Souverän series and was derived from the Secretary of State of the Weimar Republic, well-known for wearing striped trousers.   It looks like this color will be available as a fountain pen (M805), roller ball (R805), and ball point (K805).  An exact release date is not available at this time.

Personally, I like the looks of the new M805 and appreciate the bit of variety that this new color injects into the line-up.  The M805 is a nicely sized pen and fits the ideal for many enthusiast though will prove too big for some.  The color is subtle and conservative but still striking and very much in keeping with the classic cultural sensibilities out of Hanover.  I’m very much looking forward to its release in 2015.  What do you think about this new addition?

M805 Stresemann

R805 Stresemann

K805 Stresemann

Update:  Some information suggest that these will likely be available in the first quarter of 2015 with February looking like the probable month.  MSRP is anticipated at 470 € but I expect the fountain pen will have a street price of 20% off or approximately 100 € cheaper ($470).

FB Post #1: “2015 a classic is going to be reinterpreted. What do you think, what model could it be? The solution is going to be presented on Monday ;-)”

FB Post #2: “Gracious, precious and elegant: Next year the ‘Stresemann’ is going to be presented in a classic anthracite. Do you like it?”

M200 Café Crème

It certainly seems that Pelikan is in step with the holiday spirit this season as new product announcements continue to roll out of Hanover ahead of the new year, much to the delight of Pelikan aficionados.  It was just this past Monday when Pelikan announced the M805 Stresemann which introduces a new anthracite binde paired with a very complimentary rhodium trim.  The early chatter seems to indicate that the pen community has received the news of that new model quite enthusiastically.  Now, just three days on the heels of that announcement, Pelikan is at it again, this time with a new pen in their Classic line.    Their last release in this line was the M200 Cognac Demonstrator which debuted in 2014.  It seems that the upcoming year will bring us another beverage inspired model, the M200 Café Crème. 

This pen is described by Pelikan as, “A dreamy color combination inspired by the world of coffee.”  As you can see by the pictures, the creme colored barrel and brown cap, section, and piston knob certainly are reminiscent of a nice cup of java.  Those pieces will be made of high quality resin and complimented by gold-plated furniture.  As is standard with this line, the nib will be a gold-plated stainless steel available in EF, F, M, and B sizes.  In addition to the fountain pen, a ball point will also be available.  It appears that the MSRP is going to be around 125 € for the fountain pen (~ $154) and 115 € for the ball point.  This is a special edition release which will only be around for a limited time.

On their website, Pelikan further describes this release by saying, “If you treasure the finer things in life, chances are high that you’ll know how to savour things – be it a perfect cup of coffee, a latte or a smoothly working fountain pen that glides effortlessly across paper. The beautiful coloring of a latte macchiato drink inspired us to create this fountain pen. It was made for the connoisseurs among you – those who know how to enjoy the things that count.”

Whatever your feelings about the product line over the last few years, you have to admit that Pelikan has been hard at work and presents us with a definite vision for 2015.  I think these new releases are anything but stale and look forward to seeing what may still be in the pipeline.  Based on the Café Crème’s looks, I think that it won’t stay on shelves for long.  I do not have a definitive release date available at this time but will update this post once I know more.  What do you think about the Café Crème?  Personally, this is one that I will definitely be adding to my collection and I expect it to pair nicely with Pelikan’s 4001 Brilliant Brown ink.

M200 Café Crème

K200 Café Crème

This week has been very exciting as Pelikan rather unexpectedly announced two new pens to be released in 2015.  The new products coming out of Hanover aren’t limited to pens though as they have also announced the Edelstein (pronounced EY-dell-shtine) 2015 Ink of the Year.  This upcoming year will feature Amethyst, marking the twelfth addition to the Edelstein line-up and the fourth Ink of the Year. 

If you will recall, this year’s selection is the result of a contest held by the company to allow its fans to design their own ideal color of ink.  Amethyst was the winning entry, submitted by Jennifer from Germany who received a Souverän M400 for her efforts.  The annual release of an “Ink of the Year” began in 2012 with Tourmaline and has continued to follow Pelikan’s convention of styling the Edelstein’s line of colors after gemstones (the German word Edelstein translates into gemstone).  The Ink of the Year releases have been limited runs produced only for one years time, a strategy that Pelikan hopes will keep the line fresh and modern.  Despite their limited edition nature, the runs seem quite large and bottles often remain available in the retail pipeline well after production has purportedly ended, so there is little need to fear if you have yet to pick up a bottle of a previous year’s release.

Amethyst the gemstone is a violet variety of quartz, considered semi precious and often incorporated into jewelry.  It is also the traditional birth stone for February.  Amethyst the ink will be a deep purple and available in 50 mL bottles as well as cartridges.