Map depicting West (blue) and East (red) Germany, 1949-1990.
As a Pelikan enthusiast and collector, I try to keep on top of the used pen market in an effort to stay apprised of the current trends in pricing. This has allowed me to understand at least some of the factors that drive prices either upwards or downwards. If you have done similar, I’m sure that you have come across sales of Pelikan pens listed as rare, very rare, or (my favorite) ultra rare. To a new collector or user who doesn’t know any better, these descriptions may seem fitting for the price being asked. More commonly though, these “tags” are applied to run of the mill models with sellers asking top dollar for pens that are in no way extraordinary. Perhaps this is being perpetrated by a shrewd salesperson that is trying to eek every penny they can out of their listing or perhaps it is someone who genuinely knows no better and gets caught up in the pricing frenzy that sometimes seems to grip the secondary market. Many features may be used to drive a sale but one in particular has recently been on my mind. What I refer to is the cap band engraving denoting the country of manufacture as either “W.-Germany” or “Germany.”
To briefly recount the significance of these markings, Germany was divided into East (controlled by the communist Soviet Bloc) and West (aligned with capitalist Europe) blocs following the Nazi defeat at the end of World War II in 1945. A wall was constructed along the border to divide the country and the two portions remained separated until the late 1980’s when the East German regime began to falter resulting in the reunification of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) and the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). On November 9th, 1989, the border between the two blocs was opened which was the first step in the ultimate destruction of the Berlin Wall. The year 1990 is credited officially as the year of reunification and the official date celebrated is October 3rd. In 1973, prior to the reunification, the Federal Court of Justice of Germany ruled that “Made in Germany” did not adequately distinguish between the two Germanys of the time and therefore “Made in West Germany” came into popular use. Items with that stamping date roughly 1973-1990. Given the stark contrast between the divided country and the political tensions of the time, for many, that engraving carries with it a significant emotional connotation. (This is only a brief recounting and I would encourage you to seek out more information about this fascinating and tumultuous period of time in world history).
Cap Band with “W.-Germany” Inscription
With that history in mind, I would like to discuss and solicit opinions regarding whether or not Pelikan pens stamped “W.-Germany” should command a higher monetary premium than those stamped “Germany.” Generally we see this stamp on the Pelikans manufactured from 1982 through probably around 1990. This would include the models M100, M150, M200, M250, M400, M600, and M800. I have had several recent conversations with various people in the business of selling pens and there seems to be the pervading idea that the “W.-Germany” stamping should impact the value of the pen allowing for a higher premium to be requested.
Cap Band with “Germany” Inscription
Most of the above lines were produced before, during, and after reunification so it is common to see two identical pens for sale which then are only distinguished by the engraving on the cap band. Given that these two pens are identical, I do not necessarily feel that a pen stamped “W.-Germany” should have a higher intrinsic value than one stamped “Germany.” I do recognize that there may be some caveats to that statement. For instance, pens of the M100, M150, and M200 series are likely otherwise indistinguishable due to their manufacture with a stainless steel nib. I do acknowledge though that many people (myself included) feel that the older Pelikan nibs are far superior to their modern counterparts. A stamping of “W.-Germany” allows for easy identification of pens from that more desirable time period and, to the right buyer, may certainly make that pen with a gold nib more valuable. The value of a pen ultimately lies in the eye of the beholder.
How much of a premium should these pens command? I say little to none. It is an interesting time in our history but the pen in no way reflects that other than it’s stamping which was merely employed for clarification after a ruling by Germany’s high court. The markings certainly help narrow down a time frame of production and some may favor a nib from that period over another but that is a personal preference. The fact that this stamping was only utilized on the models listed above for approximately 5-8 years does indicate that they are probably less represented in the secondary market. Indeed, in my collection of Pelikan fountain pens, only 12% bear the “W.-Germany” mark so there may be something one could say about the relative scarcity and its subsequent impact on value.
I ask you now to share your thoughts below and to please participate in the poll above (polling will be open for one week). Where do you stand on this issue? Should more money be expected and paid just because the pen has the “W.-Germany” stamp or should its value be considered no different from the otherwise identical pen produced a year or two after reunification. I look forward to your input and discussion on this topic.
I guess sellers like to use everything they can to get a higher price. I like to see the W, but think, like you, that it shouldn’t make much of a difference.
I don’t believe it should make as much of a difference as it seems to sometimes. I don’t believe any of my four have the W. and one is a 120 Merz & Krell, which as we know was built during the days of when the country was West Germany.
Good Morning. My name is Pier Paolo Marini and I write from Italy. I voted NO because the risk to pay more for a pen marked “W. GERMANY” is to pay more for a cap and not for the entire pen considering the possibility of a “marriage” between a cap marked “W.GERMANY” and the rest of the pen produced later.
I don’t think I would pay any extra for the marque, but I would like to have one, just because it is a reminder of a very dark element in world history. I wonder how may pens in total we are talking about and I doubt we will ever know. Surely enough that they could not be considered ‘scarce’
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In the case of the Toledo M900, wouldn’t the W Germany mark indicate one of the original examples? If so, I would argue that in this case, the marking should suggest higher value.
Thank you all for your replies and for participating in my first ever poll. Polling is now closed and it seems that after 59 votes, the majority opinion is that the “W.-Germany” stamping does matter more often than not. It seems that being able to accurately date these older Pelikans is quite valuable to many. It was a close vote though and it seems there is no overwhelming consensus. I guess at the end of the day it is up to the consumer to decide if any premium requested is truly worth it. Thanks again everyone!
Hi There, I also found a Pelikan “W-Germany” Model in the household of my parents and even though I personally don’t think that a premium should be paid for that “version” I am very happy that I found that one. What it would make it economically uninteresting for buyers is that my beloved Dad who past away almost 16years ago also had his Name engraved on the cap. So besides that I would never ever be interested into selling this fine piece of write-utensil, it makes me happy to have found this so that I’ll have a very special reminder of him which I’ll and can use everyday by writing letters and notes. And to my surprise when I bought Ink for the pen I thought it might not write as good as a new one or leak while writing, but it writes better than any other -high quality pen- I was using, and has ever used before. I will hopefully keep this till the end of my life and if the right woman will show 🙂 up who presents? – or give? – me children to my own I would be very proud to pass on this pen to my own kind and the grandchildren of my father. And I am sure this pen will live long enough to can be passed on to generations further down the road. Nevertheless this is as I said one of the finest manufactured pens I ever wrote with and it’s an honour for me to have it and I am sure (sorry for Offtopic), that it will help me to make my way through rehab from my opioid addiction since I’ll use it every day to write in my journal and believe in its power it will give me which I will need so urgently. I love you Dad and thanks to the universe that I found that – your – pen 😉
Thanks for sharing your story Oliver. A memento like that is priceless and well worth holding onto. Best of luck with your rehab.
Hello from Brazil. I bought a used Pelikan M600 online and was pretty happy to see that it is engraved with a W.-Germany, somethng I haven’t noticed when I bought. I understand why it may sound interesting to some collectors but to me the real satisfaction came from the fact that I finally aquired the pen that I was looking for (and it wasn’t overpriced). If the W.-Germany engraving adds to the value of the pen so be it, but I really don’t see any relevance besides the fact that it’s a great pen.
Congrats on the M600. I really like those older models. Enjoy it!
If W. Germany indicates different/superior nib quality to the current offerings, then yes. But in general, it shouldn’t affect the price unless it’s a very rare specimen indeed.
I have to add, that current Pelikan’s offerings in their Souverän series are less appealing to me due to the omission of ink window/translucent barrel in certain models. That means that the older models are actually more appealing to many enthusiasts and collectors alike, and I think that the sellers of West German models are well aware of it and are asking for ridiculously higher prices.
Yes, I would agree. Hard to fathom some of the prices being asked these days. Some are borderline absurd for what they are offering but such is the free market.
I bought last Saturday my new/old M800 with W.Germany engraved. I am really happy ,to have a kind of historic time in Germany. In 2017 I was at the check point in Berlin. And for may surprise may desirable pen reflects this historic moment.
A very historic moment indeed. It’s a great pen in its own right only made better by the special connection you have with its history.
Made In Western Germany, et al, was used since 1949. I have unopened folded “envelopes” of rhinestones and such stamped with some form of “Made in W Germany” that my grandfather brought back from his post-war tour in 1951. You can find MANY more just like these on sites that sell vintage jewelry making components. If I’m reading your article correctly, you’re saying this Made In designation wasn’t really used until 1973. Maybe with pens. But definitely not products for making jewelry. I also have a few pairs of unworn earrings with this mark, no doubt no older than the 1950s. Or did I misunderstand? Just an FYI in case I didn’t. I’ve been studying and researching many vintage things for a long time, but anything involving jewelry from the Victorian Eras (yes, plural) to the 1970s. Thank you for your information on these pens! A day without something learned is a day that is not over!
Maya, hello and thank you for your message. I was very specifically only referring to Pelikan’s stamping on their fountain pens. No Pelikan pen from the late 40s, 50s, or 60s that I’ve seen have ever been stamped W.-Germany. All have said Germany. Certainly other products from other industries/manufactures may have been and were very likely stamped differently. Thanks for your insight about German gems/jewelry.
Depends. Isn’t that always the correct answer?? The W.-Germany mark can help identify some Pelikan pens versions (nib and cap combinations) that were made for only 2 or 3 production years. For example, the combination of the W.-Germany marking and a nib can identify an M600 model version that was only produced for 2 year. Generally speaking, I will pass on Pelikan pens with the German marking and focus on acquiring pens with the W-Germany marking. The W.-Germany marking saves me time by helping narrow my choices. Will I pay a premium? I would probably pay more for a first generation M800 (2 years production). How much more? Not much, but I will pay more.
I think that you are correct. There are no absolutes and many variables will come to bear. Thanks for your sharing your opinion.