September 1st is always a day of reflection for me since it heralds the anniversary of The Pelikan’s Perch going live. That’s right, The Perch turns six today! I always like to take this time to look back and see where the blog has been and try to visualize where it’s going. The last year has seen incredible challenges to our way of life. Hyper-partisan politics, economic devastation, a spotlight on racial inequality, weather extremes of biblical proportions, and the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic seemingly leave little to celebrate. These real world concerns have adversely impacted every facet of daily life including this blog, limiting my ability to bring you the same volume of content that I have in years past. Still, while lacking in quantity I hope that I have made up for that with quality. In addition to my family, the blog has been my refuge, helping to keep me sane amid the turmoil and uncertainty brought about by the coronavirus. The engagement with the pen community that the blog has afforded me has allowed me to retain faith that we may indeed overcome these hardships. I thank you all for that and hope that you will continue to keep up your engagement with the site, either via email or the comments feature. To those who have been content to spectate, that is fine too, but I encourage you to join the conversation. My personal goals for the site have not changed and I will continue to endeavor to expand the Pelikan knowledge base for as long as I’m able. The Perch remains a labor of love. As such, I will continue to forbid advertising, refuse solicitation, and not accept gifted products of any type for review. This allows me to bring you a clean viewing experience and allows me to remain free of bias. The integrity of the site is of utmost importance to me. The one downside to this approach is that it limits me from being able to host very many giveaways. My prior two contests were in honor of The Perch’s birthday and I’m thrilled to be in a position to bring you The Perch’s third annual anniversary giveaway. As a thank you from me to this amazing community of pen lovers, I am offering up a 2020 Pelikan M205 Moonstone Demonstrator fountain pen and ink gift set. I’m only able to do so thanks to the consideration afforded to me by the world class crew at Fritz Schimpf. Read on to learn how you might enter for a chance to win.
UPDATE 9/27/20: The Perch’s 6th Anniversary contest is now over, and I sincerely thank everyone for their participation. I really enjoyed reading all your shared sentiments. It’s amazing how so many of us have found solace during these turbulent times in letter writing and journaling. With everything seemingly virtual these days, it’s nice to see that there is still a place for the analog. With over 176 entries to comb through this year, choosing a winner was difficult to say the least. I’m pleased to announce that Katja Stokley was selected as the winner of the M205 Moonstone fountain pen and ink gift set. Hopefully it will bring some sparkle to her flock. While the contest may be over, I hope that your engagement here on The Perch is not. Please feel free to continue to contribute to the conversation and be sure to keep an eye on The Perch for all your Pelikan news and in-depth analysis. Hopefully I will be able to do this again in the future. Stay safe everyone.
Pelikan’s M205 Moonstone fountain pen has been a highly anticipated release. Due out in October, the newest demonstrator of the Classic line will feature varying shades of translucent gray material married to a shimmering finish. Not only is it a piston filling model, it comes from a lineage of durable everyday carry fountain pens that should serve whoever owns one well. You can find out more about this model here. Pelikan’s own sales literature states;
“Inspired by the gemstone Moonstone, this series gives the mystic aura of the moonstone an outline and transforms the fascinating sparkle into a writing instrument. The magic grey color reminds of moonlight rays and is sparkling as soon as the writing instrument comes in touch with the daylight. A special material combination realizes this unique effect and creates more than one shade of grey.”
Here is how to enter;
1. Click to subscribe to this site via e-mail (or your WordPress account if you have one). You can use the link below, the button at the bottom right hand corner of the page, or you can sign up via the widget in the side bar to the right. Don’t worry, The Perch never spams you. If you are already following the blog, you can skip directly to step 2.
2. Leave a comment below. This year, I would like to hear how fountain pens and/or writing have helped you cope with the isolation brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Also, feel free to let me know what you have enjoyed the most from The Perch and please do let me know if there is any topic that you would like to see addressed in a future post. Finally, let me know why you would like to add the M205 Moonstone to your flock and what winning such a pen would mean to you. The two steps outlined thus far will earn you one entry into the contest.
3. Similar to last year, I will again allow one additional entry via the social media platforms of Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram. Pick whichever one you prefer. All you need to do is make sure that you follow my account and then post a picture of your flock tagging me and using the hashtag #GrowMyFlock2020. Caption it by telling me why this Moonstone set should come home to roost with you. If you don’t already have a few Pelikans in the nest, that’s OK. Show me what you do have and tell me why you’re interested in trying a Pelikan. Please make sure you’ve also left a comment below and not just on social media.
That’s all there is to it. I’ve tried to keep it straight forward and fun. The contest will run from September 1st though the 22nd and be governed by the rules set forth below. Everyone 18 or older is welcome to participate (except residents of Quebec, Canada and where prohibited by law). By subscribing to the site, you may choose to be alerted to new posts which will ensure you are up to date with all the latest Pelikan news, events, and my own extensively researched articles not available anywhere else. Please make sure to spread the word about this contest to any pen lovers in your acquaintance before the deadline so that all lovers of the Pelikan brand and/or fine writing instruments in general can get in on the fun.
Contest Terms & Conditions
- The contest will run from the time of announcement on Tuesday, September 1st, 2020 until midnight eastern standard time (23:59 EST) on Monday, September 22nd, 2020. The winner will be notified via e-mail within 72 hours of the close of the contest. They will then have 72 hours to respond before they forfeit the prize and an alternate winner is chosen.
- One winner will be chosen to receive a Pelikan M205 Moonstone fountain pen and ink gift set. The pen and ink combo are brand new. This pen and ink set has a U.S. MSRP of $270. The prize is not transferable to another person.
- The contest is open to people worldwide (excluding residents of Quebec, Canada and in countries where such a contest is prohibited by law) to persons age 18 or older. Up to two entries are allowed per person in accordance with the instructions outlined above and below. Myself, my family, or anyone else directly associated with The Pelikan’s Perch are excluded from consideration.
- To take part in the contest, first click to subscribe to this site via e-mail or your WordPress account. You can use the link above, click the button at the bottom right hand corner of the page, or sign up via the widget in the side bar to the right. If you are already subscribed, you can skip to the next step. Once subscribed, just leave a comment below letting me know how fountain pens and/or writing have helped you cope with the isolation brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Also, feel free to let me know what you have enjoyed the most from The Perch and please do let me know if there is any topic that you would like to see addressed in a future post. Finally, let me know why you would like to add the M205 Moonstone to your flock and what winning such a pen would mean to you. Both tasks must be completed for an entry to be considered valid. All comments are subject to review and approval before becoming valid entries. In rare instances, a genuine comment may inadvertently be flagged as spam by Akismet and may not be available for consideration though every reasonable effort will be made to prevent that occurrence.
- A single extra entry via the social media platforms of Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram will be available again this year. Pick whichever site you prefer. To gain an additional entry; follow my blog, post a picture of your flock tagging me, and include the hashtag #GrowMyFlock2020. Caption it by telling me just why this Moonstone set should come home to roost with you. This is not a substitute for subscribing to the site and commenting on this page. Any social media entries not following steps 1 and 2 above will not be considered.
- The winner will have submitted a valid entry or entries and be selected by me based on the response provided below and/or via social media. The judge’s decision is final.
- Neither Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Slack, Pinterest, Reddit, nor any other social media entity is in any way associated with this contest. This blog has no affiliation with Pelikan International and this contest is completely independent of that entity as well. There is no sponsorship for this contest. The pen was purchased by Joshua Danley of The Pelikan’s Perch from Fritz Schimpf for the sole purpose of this contest. By providing your information in this forum, you are providing your information to me and me alone. I do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting the winner.
- The prize will be mailed to the winner via the United States Postal Service. I will ship the pen within 7 days of me receiving the package from Fritz Schimpf in Germany. It takes an average of two weeks from the date of release for me to receive overseas items (further delays may be anticipated due to recent issues with USPS) but can take up to four weeks depending upon U.S. customs. I appreciate your patience. The winner’s response to my notification e-mail must include a valid shipping address. The Perch is not responsible for misdirected or lost packages.
- The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary.
- Persons may only win one prize from this site within a 12 month period meaning the winner from the year prior (2019) is ineligible for this contest.
- The Pelikan’s Perch reserves the right to publish the winner’s name to this blog. Neither the blog nor its administrator can be held liable for lost/delayed e-mail, typographical errors, or technical failures.
Thank you for your entry and good luck to all!
I’ve found myself keeping a daily COVID diary of data & thoughts. Helping me process information & keeping my thoughts grounded in data. Then, I have another stream-of-consciousness journal.
My pens have allowed me to just retain another simple focus on things other than what has been happening in the world around me and concerns for my families safety. In this time I have bought and sold still and continued to love my collection and also plan for the future and check on new developments. Thank you for the insights I receive on the world of Pelikan and all that you do. Sometimes it is the simple pleasures in life that we need to focus on when the world gets a bit scary for us all. Be safe and strong.
I have been using my pen hobby as an escape from the realities of the pandemic. Writing helps to process all of the crazy thoughts also.
I currently own 3
Twists. I love them. I would love to win the moonstone set. It would be a great back to school gift as well as a great anniversary gift to celebrate 20 years of marriage.
I have been able to take writing back in my life. I’ve started a book using my fountain pens!
During Covid pandemic, my writing has kept me from being isolated from my friends and family. I do my daily journaling and keep in touch with my pen pal friends. I have a couple of Pelikan pens. My favorite being the M800. I do miss the Annual Pelikan Hubs that I have attended the last 3 years. The New M205 would be a great addition to my small Pelikan collection. I love the way Pelikan issues Pens with corresponding inks. Thanks for the opportunity to get one.
Congratulations and Happy 6th Anniversary!!! Writing and doodling ink art was a HUGE help to me during this difficult time. Fountain pens are my joy, and my M400s are my constant writers. The Perch is a big help in keeping up with Pelikan news, especially the new pens! Winning the M205 Moonstone will be a milestone — I haven’t won a Pelikan before. And if I win this one, I’ll do a most comprehensive review in my blog! In the future, I’d love to read about Pelikan nibs. Any topic about nibs will be okay. Thank you and more power!!! 😀
Lockdown has forced me to spend more time considering how and why I do things, and in this process I have allowed myself time to return to handwriting, rather then the word processor, and using my fountain pen, Pelikan of course. (Well I have two really nice ones, and an everyday use outside one). I have come to appreciate of the joy of writing by hand again. Somehow this allows more time for reflection, and slows the writing process, which of course is how lockdown has affected our lives.
Stay Safe.
Fountain pens have helped me cope during this pandemic. I was able to reconnect and practice calligraphy. The 205 will be a great addition to my flock. It’s gonna be called a pandemic pelikan 🙂
I’m excited to know more M800
1: Fountain pens and writing have been a great way to focus my thoughts and process all the stress brought about from this pandemic. Staying somewhat connected to pen pals with the use of pens has also been very rewarding. Sending email just isn’t the same!.
2: I have really enjoyed all the brand history and information you have presented. My love for Pelikan pens continues to grow, and it’s great to know more background information about the company.
3: At first I was hesitant about the M200/M205 line as I thought they might be a bit on the small side, but I have come to realize they are so great as a daily carry pens in a shirt pocket, or clipped to my shirt, and now I have several. Ultimately I want one for each day of the week! I absolutely love the way the Star Ruby sparkles, and I feel that look on a grayish pen will be fantastic.
I’ve found myself dipping into the world of fountain pens during the pandemic by learning how to draw better. Understanding the different types of inks as well as what nibs work best for me. It’s been a great stress reliever.
I’ve only gotten into fountain pens since COVID, starting with fixing an old pen of my mother’s. So far my pens are new Pilots and old Parkers. I’ve been wanting to add pens from the major European manufacturers but haven’t yet. This would be my first Pelikan!
Lockdown, whilst brief for me, really dragged me into a bad mental place, I’m very introverted but missed the buzz of the office, I repaired my TWSBI Eco and Faber Castell nibs which didn’t write well. My white m205 has been filled constantly with Montblanc LPP Rose Burgundy, a new favourite of mine. I’m not one to journal usually but my hobinichi has finally seen some use. Thanks
Fountain pens offer a look at beauty in the midst of all the ugliness of the pandemic. No matter what your taste in fountain pens, you can find beauty and peace in the particular fountain pen and ink you are using at any given time.
My pens have helped me have an analog break from a very digital world. I work all day using computers and am taking an 18 month college refresher course on web site development and so having something analog to take me away from all the digital is a very good thing.
The Perch has inspired my interest in Pelikan pens, kept me up to date on Pelikan news, and led to my small flock of three pens, and to my being a Hub master last year. I’m going to miss not having the hub this year, so winning this pen & ink set would be a great way to make up for it!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for continuing this terrific blog, Josh! It’s such a valuable reference source for “Pelikanheads“ and I have certainly enjoyed it from its inception!! I hope that you & your family stay safe & well.
All the best!
Mike
I’ve spent pandemic lockdown practising nib grinds, and have just gone public! Pens are so fun, and alowly shaping nibs to others’ specifications is a really medotative process for me.
Quarantine and lockdown have brought many changes. I had to forsake the gym and have taken up walking. I have been able to explore corners of the internet (domestic and foreign) for pens that I didn’t do before. (Anything to avoid the news!) I have become much more interested in vintage pens, forsaken what seem like over-hyped pen blogs in which the presenters seem to sell themselves. (I want to take my time.) I have especially enjoyed the histories of Pelikan that you have presented and have looked back to earlier posts (pre-my subscription). I have a remarkable 205 that I purchased thirty years ago (why did I ever need anything more?) but I have even purchased a couple of vintage Pelikans, too. I also have written a short essay about the Russian/American author Vladimir Nabokov and his pens. (My profession is in quite a different area.) When/if it appears in print I will share.
You would think I would write more and more since I’m always surrounded by my pens and journals, even while working. But somehow this lockdown has put me into a block on getting thoughts on paper. I find that very frustrating, and I suppose it’s a sign that a lot is wrong with the world right now. I’m an introvert so working alone, from home, is not depressing to me. I love the flexibility. I can work at 4a if I’m awake then, take a nap if I need to and generally do my job when my brain is most fully engaged. I like my co-workers, but our MS Teams meetings are fine for me. I don’t need much human contact that I don’t get from my husband and my daughter’s family (soon to expand to seven living children, with the addition any day now of her 2nd set of twins! Today is the one-year anniversary of the full-term stillbirth of a boy, and whose death changed us all. But I digress. I probably shouldn’t be trying to write concise contest entries today…) The silver lining that DOES make me happy during lockdown is the fact that I am surrounded by my beloved pens. I don’t have to make a selection of what comes with me today. They are all right here at all times. I’ve tried various things to jumpstart my moment by moment journaling, capturing thoughts as they arrive, and paying attention to task lists. Maybe something will click in.
I love the Perch primarily for the ability to search for information on any particular model when I want to know more about it, when I’m considering another purchase, etc. I also enjoy your insights on what Pelikan is thinking when various decisions are made. Congrats on your six years!
Why I would love to add this pen to my flock? I’ve long loved greys. I have many grey inks and enjoy teasing out the nuances of them. I find it a lovely, soothing color and this year’s Moonstone is right up my alley. I don’t have any of the previous ink-matching 205s but would particularly love this one. I’m not one who finds grey skies depressing. I don’t have the dreaded Seasonal Affective DIsorder. I think grey, melancholy days are perfect for reflection, doing “cozy” things that are good for mental health. And this pen is beautiful. I would love love to add this to my small flock of Pelikans. Thank you so much for running this giveaway, and again, congratulations on your 6th anniversary for your fantastic blog.
My fountain pens have allowed me to cope with the pandemic by keeping me in touch with my pen friends around the globe through the writing of letters. My 6 M200 series pens get regular use because of this. The Moonstone edition would be a lovely addition that I cannot afford at this time. Thanks for the excellent work you do.
Interesting color for this release. Looking forward to see the sparkle and add it to my flock of birds which is in the mid twenties.
Congratulations for a job well done.
Suresh
I appreciate and enjoy some of the Pelikan history that you sometimes delve into, as my history with fountain pens doesn’t go back too far and Pelikan is an interesting company.
To be honest, the pandemic has completely thrown off my regular use of fountain pens. My routines collapsed. The sameness of many days lulled me out of journaling. I miss my pens though, and I know getting back to regular usage will probably help me!
Winning a pen like this would help, as I think Pelikan pens are beautiful and I don’t have any! Regardless, thank you for the service you provide with this site. Here’s to many more years!
Finding time to reflect on life, ones goals, dreams and realizing, planing and focusing on what I need to do, to achive it is what helps me to pass the time. I hope you all and your loved ones are well.
I got my first Pelikan (a Jazz) last year, just in time for the Hub. I got my first Pelikan Ink at the Hub. I’ve adored both and have almost used up the bottle. This site is fascinating with all the information regarding the Pelikans. I’m enjoying exploring it and can’t wait to see what is in the newsletter.
Joshua, keep up the good work. Thank you
Josh, your site has helped me learn so much… often about something I end up buying! During COVID I have found my self writing more… rotating my inks more regularly and keeping a journal. COVID in California has been a long process and it certainly makes me appreciate the comforts I have at home. There is no doubt that I would rather be at home and unable to go somewhere else than being able to be anywhere except home!
During the pandemic, I’ve enjoyed shopping for (and buying!) pens on eBay. The pens & stationery blogging community have also been a source of entertainment and solace during this time.
The Moonstone pen and ink set will add luxury, elegance, and prestige to my collection. My current Pelikan collection only contains student Pelikanos and Pelikano Jrs., but now I will have an upscale Pelikan! It will definitely become my go-to pen for special occasions and important documents.
I also do not have any gray inks now, and I look forward to using this new color.
I have been staying contacted with people using my fountain pens, via letters through this year and have “met” some wonderful people. I also journal to assist with releasing of energies that could be harmful.
I have also shopped online for fountain pens, inks and paper. I ordered a M205 Star Ruby and am in love! The pen is gorgeous and is a perfect fit for my small hands – so there will be more in my future. Simple yet elegant.
Congratulations on six years of Pelikan’s Perch, Joshua!
I especially love hearing about new releases, and your perspective on how they fit in to the Pelikan universe overall. Your historical articles are great too.
As for fountain pens and the pandemic: My pens make it a pleasure to write cards and letters. That helps me keep in touch with people (I’m not much of a telephone person), as well as—I hope—brightening people’s day by letting them find something in the mail besides bills and ads and (lately) “Vote for me!” political pieces.
P.S. And I’d love to have a Moonstone M205, since I don’t have one of that type (in my tiny flock of 2 Pelikans) and because this one has not only sparkles but my beloved rhodium trim.
Being able to use my fountain pens to write to my pen pals has helped me feel less alone.
Being stuck at home has given me a lot more time to just browse around online. A lot of that has been spent ogling pens. I did decide that, since there will be no shows for the rest of this year (at least), that I would proactively reach out to people I had dealt with in the past and try to find some of those rarities I would otherwise hope to run across at a show.
Due to travel being restricted, I’ve used this time to write more letters and notes especially to my 95 year old grandmother. I would love to add the M205 Moonstone firstly because this pen is sparkly and I love the sparkles plus I absolutely prefer the silver/rhodium trim. Pelikan steel nibs are wonderful writers and I just enjoy them.
Fountain pens have helped me cope with the pandemic through anticipation of being able to use my pens at work in my home office, as well as the social connection of virtual pen meetups
Joshua, Love your site . I feel that fountain pens have allowed me to enjoy writing letters to family and friends during this isolated period. I know that I could easily have written emails but that would not have been as personal. As far as your site goes I really love when you follow the history of a particular model of Pelikan. I would really love to find a Pelikan that is actually imprinted with West Germany as I was stationed in West Germany when I served in the Air Force. Hope this finds you well
Fountain pens have made it easier to stay in touch via snail mail with new friends and old. I love each and everyone of them.
Writing has helped to focus my thoughts during the pandemic, as well as increased my interest in pens, paper,notebooks, etc. I enjoy your blog for the latest info about Pelikan as well as the brands history. It would be great to have a special edition Pelikan!
Fountain pens always provide a little bit of joy and they’ve been a great way of forgetting the madness and difficulties that have arisen for a while. I’ve also been keeping in touch with friends with handwritten letters and cards to remind each other we’re all still there and still caring even though we can’t see each other.
I really enjoy the info on new releases from the Perch – I always seem to see them here first!
Thank you
I’ve enjoyed fountain pens in the pandemic to write snail mail and postcards to friends and family. It’s been a way to escape the craziness outside my home that I’m fortunate enough to be stuck in… I’d love to win the pen as the first high end pen in my flock! I have a bunch of TWSBIs and Lamys that I enjoy but I haven’t taken a high end pen plunge yet. I’m torn between practical considerations of cost and indulging in something that I hope is just sublime to use.
During Covid I’ve been using my fountain pens to do snail mail and post cards to connect with folks outside my home that I seem to be in endless lockdown in. It’s been a real key to feeling connected!
I’d love to win the pen because until now I’ve used Lamys and TWSBIs as functional and reliable but not necessarily beautiful objects. I haven’t been able to justify a high end pen, so wining one would be amazing!
My pens took me through the Corona time as I relied on them – and the various colors of the inks I’ve gathered – to write letters to my loved one whom, due to complicated circumstances, I was not able to see, talk to, or otherwise contact much. So I wrote letters every day, almost, over altogether seven, eight months, amounting to some 1000 pages of love, longing, suffering, hope, joy, fear, mundane blathering, and the like. All unsent, all collected in batches, and eventually, recently, handed over in one fell swoop, as the happy end had finally arrived.
Three Pelikans were on the front lines in this effort.
… the Moonstone, meanwhile, would be the perfect pen to gift to the stepdaughter that I gained in that process, who is starting high school this fall. What an adult pen to have and take care of that would be. Better still than the historic Pelikano I have given her.
The original message which seems to have gotten lost in the loggin-in business:
My pens took me through the Corona time as I relied on them – and the various colors of the inks I’ve gathered – to write letters to my loved one whom, due to complicated circumstances, I was not able to see, talk to, or otherwise contact much. So I wrote letters every day, almost, over altogether seven, eight months, amounting to some 1000 pages of love, longing, suffering, hope, joy, fear, mundane blathering, and the like. All unsent, all collected in batches, and eventually, recently, handed over in one fell swoop, as the happy end had finally arrived.
Three Pelikans were on the front lines in this effort.
Congrats for the milestone! It’s hard to find good content online and I’m happy I found Thepelikansperch!
My fountain pens have given me a way of keeping grounded in reality. At least weekly, if not more often, I record some key things in my journal notebook: number of COVID19 cases in the US, number of deaths, summaries of the news headlines, and summaries of what is happening in my own little world. This isn’t journaling about how I feel or how I’m reacting to these things. It’s been so hard to keep track of the passage of time and the order of events with how bizarre the news has been in the US. This helps differentiate the days that feel the same in hindsight because there are no movements about the world to punctuate the memories.
Personally, I don’t have a pen in this model. I don’t go for pocket pens because I’m a woman, so my clothes don’t really have pockets. It would be nice to add this to collection and see what all the fuss is about.
I don’t own any Pelikans at the moment and I hear that the 205 series is a good start.
I have enjoyed writing out recipes with my fountain pens during this pandemic. My tv has been set to the Food Network, mainly Barefoot Contessa, since the shutdown, and I have been honing my cooking techniques.
I was already a Pelikan pen lover when I discovered this blog. I love the articles and history but my favorite articles are of the new releases (and the excellent photography) that often sends me straight out to make a purchases. This moonstone combo is gorgeous.
My father entered hospice at the beginning of the year and died a few weeks after sheltering in place began. During that time, I discovered that the hospice social worker was a fountain pen user/collector/enthusiast. And to my surprise, I discovered my brother also used a fountain pen….a Pelican M800! I used fountain pens throughout my college and professional career, and despite being happily retired now, I not only continue to use them but have started to buy those that intrigue me (within my budget, of course). I “discovered” Pelikans from the social worker (who would show me his different, and expensive, pens every time he visited us) and from my brother, who only has the one Pelikan, but, as he says, what more does he need? He’s a user, not a collector. I’m a bit of both, but I use every pen in rotation from my collection. My first Pelikan was the Violet-white, and it is my favorite looking pen, and among my favorite use pen. I have since added two M205, the Smoky Quartz and the clear demonstrator. I would love to have the Moonstone join its siblings in my flock, as well as my entire brood of FPs, which includes my grandfather and father’s Parkers, and a recent acquisition. I was gifted a Lady Scheaffer pen and pencil set for high school graduation by an Aunt. I discovered late last year that a FP was made in the same model and I scoured the internet to find it. I was ecstatic to find it, bought it and that “bubble” is now complete.
I’ve been using my FPs for a variety of projects, but the biggest impact has been transcribing Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. The practice of transcribing as well as the content have had calming effects on my brain. Thank you for all your hard work and congratulations on 6 years of The Perch!
Writing always calms me down. By writing I managed to keep my thoughts clear and well organized. Unfortunately I only have one Pelikan in my collection, a Pelikan 140 with a semi flex nib. I heard this blog by this giveaway and even with a quick look I have already loved it. I wish I was aware of it sooner.
My fountain pens have helped me sketch my Covid diaries, my daily sketch journal.
I’ve been writing daily to process emotions and maintain mental clarity. I also write lists and do a lot more writing as a result of working from home. I’ve started transcribing has become like a meditative process and is quite enjoyable to quiet my mind.
I’ve really enjoyed The Pelikan Perch. Thanks for all the work you put into it!
I have tried to do calligraphy during lockdown but still can’t quite master it. I guess I have had 3 months practising but need more!
The reviews are brilliant, so many different pens. I wish I could pick one a month.
I would love to add the M205 Moonstone to my collection – it looks so stylish and maybe my calligraphy attempts would improve if I won it.
I have recently began writing a small story based on an anime setting, but using characters from my local hometown, so it has a lot of humour added to the mix. I am lucky to have friends that enjoy reading and get a few laughs out of my writings, so this has been a great way to bolster my morale against the overall negativity created by the pandemic. I have been writing it with my semi-broken black Pilot Metropolitan (feed gets out of my place sometimes and I need to reinsert it – my fault, as the pen fell a few times too many from the desk), and my gunmetal Platinum Plaisir.
I find that using fountain pens helps me get more creative and involved in the writing process. I have checked your site several times in the past months concerning the Pelikan M2xx and M1xx series as potential a “next-step” pens (aside from the usual suspects from Japan), as I have been entertaining the though of getting an upgrade.
The M205 would therefore be the first official Pelikan in my fountain pen roster and a magnificent addition, especially since it is a piston-filler pen. It would allow me to write for longer periods without having to refill as much (blast that Pilot CON-40 converter!).
Really appreciate the giveaway and I’m glad for the website entering its 6th year!
I think if it were not for the joy of sitting down and writing letters or writing in my journal with my fountain pens, I would have gone insane during the lockdown. Digital communication has its place, but there is nothing better than the joy of analogue writing with a fountain pen.
Thanks for the giveaway. My fountain pens bring me daily joy, which has been so important in this pandemic. I’ve journaled with them every day for 123 days straight. It’s been very grounding.
I love your historical posts. I love history anyway, and FP history is the best. Just keep doing what you’re doing. I don’t have any recs beyond that.
I’ve love the 205 Moonstone because I actually don’t own a Pelikan yet. I gave a Pelikan 205 to my sister when I finished my dissertation as a thank you for all the help see gave me with proofreading. I’d love to have one as well, and this month it’s my 40th bday. Lol.
Thanks for all you do.
I only had one fountain pen before the pandemic started… now I have a dozen. Oops. This time has allowed me to learn about pens, inks, and papers. It’s made working from home more enjoyable, and allowed me to be conscious of the moment as I know journal every day and keep track of my schedule in an analog way. Plus, the fountain pen community I discovered has been AMAZING! I can’t wait until I can officially see and meet others at shows or meet ups and discuss and see more pens.
My pens have helped me through the pandemic by bringing me joy when I write which I’ve been doing a lot more of. I’ve enjoyed your histories of the Pelikan company and products. I do pay attention to your reviews of Pelikan products, it gives me pens to shoot for. Ever since I read about Charles Darwin’s use of grey ink in his journals I’ve been a fan of grey ink. The moonstone is a beautiful grey and appeals to me sense of beauty. It would be a wonderful addition to my flock.
My pens have helped me relax with a little calligraphy from time to time. And I’ve enjoyed some virtual pen meets and pen shows, too.
I’d love the Moonstone – I have nearly all the M200 demonstrators, and I find Pelikan comes out with much more subtle colours than most other makers of demonstrators. Olivine for instance was wonderful, and has actually replaced the Amethyst as my favourite.
I started writing with fountain pens after discovering them while in high school. I fell hard for a Sheaffer No Nonsense pen and used it for everything–signing checks, writing, drawing, everything that used ink, really.
Then my adult life took over and fountain pens took a back seat until about 4 years ago. Since then, I’ve rediscovered the pleasure of fountain pens. There’s just something so meditative and soothing about the ink flowing from the nib, of having the act of writing pull the words out of my head and painting them onto the page, of making my thoughts solid.
In these COVID times, creating order out of chaos is a balm to the daily irritation of staying quarantined, of having to second guess the safety of favorite activities, of keeping one’s distance from everyone you’d normally be close to.
This November I will be participating in NaNoWriMo and I would love to get the first draft of my novel done in longhand with a really good pen. Pelikan has a wonderful reputation as a precision instrument that’s a pleasure to write with. What better occasion to inaugurate my first Pelikan than NaNoWriMo?
I do hope I win, but even if I don’t, thank you for this wonderful opportunity to win a world-class pen. Thank you and good luck to everyone! ^_^
During COVID I’ve been journaling the most I have since high school. During this time I’ve also acquired my first Pelikan. I’ve found that the M200 size is absolutely perfect for me, and when I first saw the moonstone material, my heart skipped a beat.
We find ourselves adrift, in large part because of online media that seems out of control, always ready to interrupt and manipulate us; technology adopted unblinkingly with a steeper price than we could have imagined.
Writing with fountain pens may seem to non practitioners odd, quaint, possibly even a luddite retreat from the storm; but there is a lot to be said about continuity of thought and longer attention spans in our current context. In fountain pens I have found a reliable medium that can get out of the way, facilitate and even inspire thoughts, for work or for what I term “mental hygiene”; first they enabled me to improve my handwriting, which was downright illegible.
It’s a medium not without its quirks, from the need for patience to the sometimes surprising interaction between inks, pens and paper. thepelikansperch has been a welcome respite, a useful and interesting source to appreciate and make the most of this peculiar medium, centred on a storied brand; Pelikans were some of my first pens, but it took me a long time to appreciate them, from their second to none reliability to the ideas behind their design, but mostly their ability to consistently produce inks in the same colour, without going darker because of evaporation. I cannot presume to suggest future posts, beyond perhaps the myriad topics on what we do with these instruments.
A grey demonstrator has long been on my wish list, ever since I stumbled upon a photo of the Anthracite M200, although I prefer the silver finishes of the m205, precisely like those of the new moonstone. A very logical explanation in my mind, sheer madness for friends and family!
In any case, prize or no prize I would like take this opportunity to thank you for the thepelikansperch, if we could all think of what we can learn and contribute, as you do with this site, the world would be a better place.
I started writing a journal several years ago to help cope with anxiety issues and I’ve really found it to be especially beneficial this year with all the craziness due to the pandemic and the social issues present in our world today. Fountain pens make the writing experience even more enjoyable.
I found The Pelikan’s Perch last year when I was looking for my next new pen and had stumbled upon Pelikan. Your wealth of knowledge on the brand really has been a huge help in deciding which pen to get and which ones to look for at pen shows (when we were fortunate to have them still held anyway) and it has been a fun experience learning about all the little differences between models and years of this pen brand. I wish you many more years of success with this ‘labor of love’.
I have two reasons for wanting to win this pen. One is that I would love to add it to my small flock of Pelikan pens but maybe I’d like to introduce a friend of mine to the fine quality from Pelikan by giving it to them and maybe spark a love affair between them and the Pelikan brand. Let them see what they’re missing out on!
Over a decade ago I learnt the joys of writing with a Fountain Pen, and since then I have been keeping a journal. From my initial single Fountain Pen I now have over 10, which though it isn’t a huge number, I love each and every one of them.
With COVID times present all around the globe, writing down my thoughts, and observations is a little something to ease my mind. It is a way to sort through the jumble that is inside my head, and try a make it a little more cohesive.
Fortune was kind to me and I have the M205 Olivine release, which i love. The Moonstone edition looks amazing, and if luck was to show me favour then it would be cherished.
I always go your site to learn about all things Pelican. One day I will own an M800/M805, but first now my M600 is part of my daily task list work that helps get me through the days.
During the pandemic I consolidated a habit of using my fountain pens to write about books I’m reading, movies or series I’m watching and games I’m playing. It helped me cope with these strange and uncertain times by being mindful and spending less time thinking about stuff I cannot control.
I really enjoyed the historical posts at the Perch in 2020. I also like your coverage on new releases.
When I saw the Moonstone ink news I immediately thought “oh I am so getting the m205 special edition if they make it shimmery gray”. A few months later it felt really special to read the news here.
I have been doing a fair bit of working from home during covid, which has allowed me to use some of my more expensive pens on a daily basis, without having to leave the house with them.
What I enjoy about your page is seeing the wide variety of different and beautiful pens – as someone new to Pelikan I always associated it with quite conservative designs, but your page curates everything so nicely – and it’s easy to see the breadth of the Pelikan catalogue – esp the Maki-e and raden models.
In terms of why i would like it to join my flock, I only own one Pelikan – an Ocean swirl – and I think it is getting lonely in the nest. I would enjoy the chance to try and experience different pens, and branch out into Pelikan a little more
I’ve been using my pens to write letters and cards to my friends I haven’t seen since the beginning of the year.
I enjoy my M205 Smokey Quartz my wife gave me, and think the Moonstone Gray looks equally as stunning. As for your blog, I cannot get enough history of the fountain pen and your history is always well-written and interesting.
I enjoy writing with my fountain pens because I work with computers, so it’s nice to get away from everything digital and just write to myself about ambitions or vent any frustrations. The moonstone would be a bit of a milestone in my collection as the first limited edition pen I own, though the Blue Dunes might take that spot fairly soon if I’m not careful!
I have used my pens for notes during mostly virtual meetings since the pandemic began. I appreciate the detail this site on the various Pelikan models. The M205 would be a great addition to my small collection of black (mostly cartridge-converter) pens!
Spending over 5 months away from home during the lockdown, bringing my pens and inks with me was a real comfort. I use them everyday for my morning pages and my work and my to do lists. With your blog, I always enjoy getting an early scoop on the Pelikan releases as well as your thorough write-ups of models from the last. The post that you published year that meant the most to me, though, had nothing to do with pens. I loved your words on Black Lives Matter, and while I definitely use the pen world to escape matters political, it was great seeing you use your forum this way. Thank you. I’d love to get the new Moonstone pen, I love the shimmery designs that Pelikan has been dabbling with, and it feels unique and classic in this model. Thanks for the opportunity and for all the work you do on your blog!
Wow, such a generous giveaway ! I actually found the website “by incident” as I searched for pelikan reviews to buy for my dad’s birthday. I swear to God I thought to buy him the moonstone as a nice expensive introduction to the fountain pen world because the pen looks so professional and pelikan is a known brand for non fountain pen user. I really hope I win ! I will buy him a new pelikan anyway I saw that he is interested.
I’ve been keeping a journal during the pandemic. Nothing special, just writing. It helps me relax before bedtime and gives me an opportunity to use my pens.
Happy Anniversary Joshua!
My fountain pens have helped me deal with the COVID quarantine by motivating me to attend to my ink sample testing backlog!
The thing I enjoy most from The Perch is reading about the new ink and pen releases from Pelikan. (I really like reading about the history of Pelikan inks and pens too, but I had to pick “the most”.)
Topic idea: any ideas/plans for a “virtual” Hub this year?
I would love to add a M205 Moonstone pen and ink set to my flock. It’s a perfect color for a “serious but not stiff” everyday working pen and ink combo. And because my budget is too tight for new pens this year, winning one would be an incredible gift. 🙏🤞
First of all thank you Mr. Joshua and congratulations for this 6 years of amazing content, news and information, i have to say during this lockdown i took out one of my birds which are among my most valuable collected pens, that is the special edition of the M800 Renaissance Brown a pen that i usually don’t carry away because of it’s uniqueness so i keep it only for special occasions, but in the safeness of my home it’s been on my desk for more than 4 months now, and i am enjoying it more than ever.
This pen and the pelikan perch are related to me because this blog was my starting point into pelikan’s and my final decision to buy this pen was made after consulting with you about some nibmaster that had a good deal back in those days, so i could say you were that push that i needed to pull the trigger on my M800, i also own other birds but the M800 has this special story related to the pelikan perch, so speaking of the blog it has been a great influence to me on pelikan’s pens, if you would like to take one suggestion from me it would be to post more or longer videos reviewing the pens to see and appreciate them in real life.
Finally i have to say i own other birds, my first one was a M200 Aquamarine, so the special editions of the M200 are some kind of special thing to me too, i really like the M200 and i use it more on daily basis do to its size, for everyone of us who love pelikan pens there will always be free space and time to enjoy one more bird in the flock and even more if it is be attached to a story
Such a nice pen! It’s looks like a good workhorse pen. Your blog is great to stay connected to the fountain pen news. However, I don’t buy the pens you post about because they are too expensive for me. I have to stay with my Lamy and kaweco😐
My pens help me through quarantine because they where my back to school gift. This year my mom didn’t allow me to go shopping so I had to order everything online. As a price she allowed me to order from over the sea stores so I could order special stationary we don’t have at my home country. I used that opportunity to buy my first two starter level fountain pens after I was hooked on fountain pens for more than two years and never had the courage to ask my parents for one
C19 lockdown has meant more pens in use, more inks in use, more paper and more experimentation. If it wasn’t for the restriction on leaving home (for my own and the community’s good) this would almost be fun!
It seems pretty
Thank you for this chance to win one ! During this trying time, fountain pens helped me to find peace through writing, through letters and through connecting with others. It was great fun picking a pen up and journaling down what I’ve watched and how that made me feel. Or reply a letter from someone who is also similarly in isolation.
Without fountain pens, my social circle would be very much smaller and less active in general. I don’t know how I would survive the isolation without the distraction and company of like-minds.
I would love to win this M205 because the Pelikan M20x series is my favourite ! The size is just right for my hands, it’s light and allows me to write for ages without tiring and did I mention … the moonstone is SHINY ?! I love the sparkles ! Being able to welcome another awesome writer to my collection and pen able another innocent passerby would be great !
My pens have allowed me to journal, which I’ve found very therapeutic as a way to process my emotions in this tumultuous time. I find it’s a very grounding exercise, writing by hand. The flow of nib along the paper, that feel of pleasant weight from the pen. It’s calming to me.
Writing with a fountain pen brings me so much joy, choosing which pen to use, pairing it with the perfect ink, deciding what to write, what writing style to use and where to place it on the paper. All of these things help distract me from the crazy and uncertain world we now live in. So many people have mentioned how they’ve struggled with lockdown purely because they can’t get out and about as much as before but I’ve felt fairly content to spend my time exploring new pen and ink combinations.
I’m fairly new to the world of fountain pens but I quickly fell in love with Pelikans and signed up to your blog. I find it so fascinating to read your articles about the history of Pelikan, the new products coming soon and older products that are no longer available and that I sadly missed out on. Congratulations on reaching this milestone and thank you for all the effort you put in to making us all a little wiser.
I would love to add this pen to my collection. The M200 Smoky Quartz was my first Pelikan, it is still one of my favourite pens. I love the simple design of the M20X line and the moonstone grey with a little added sparkle is simply beautiful.
Hi,
I enjoy writing since i was little, but especially in this year during quarantine times i met with fountain pens. Seeing the ink flow on paper has become one of my favourite things and this helped me a lot to clear my mind and opened a gate for another worlds for me.
Hello to everyboby! Josh, thank you for the opportunity of winning a Pelikan and congratulations for a new aniversary of this blog!
During the lockdown I found myself in locked in campus and my fountainpens helped me not to get bored trying to learn a long ago deceased language that I need for my reserch. In this perod from time to time I was repairing or adjusting my friends’ fountain pens or regrinding nibs and by doing I’ve lerned a few new things too.
Pelikans are expensive here and even second hand they are not easy reacheble for me. This Pelikan M205 Moonstone would be a nice adition to my Parkers, Senators and another few old Chinese pens and I hope that when I will write with it, since it will be something different then what I already have and use, more of my collegs will see it and start to get interested in or use fountain pens too. In this part of the world ballpoint and mechanical pencil are the king and quin of the writing instruments and I am surprised that a lot of students have never seen or used a fountain pen before.
This pandemic really showed how fountain pen people support each other through thick and thin – we had FP-loving frontliners who got infected and recovered and gave back by donating their blood (plasma), members of the FP community who donated time, talent, money and pens and inks for a chance to help defray medical expenses of frontliners who got infected (one of whom we sadly lost a couple of weeks ago), and members of the FP community who just reached out to each other to make sure anyone in isolation knew that there was a great big FP-loving family out there that they could lean on, even if it had to be limited to email, text messages or video calls.
The M205 Moonstone would be my reminder that I belong to a worldwide virtual family of fellow FP-lovers – and that whatever sorrows this crisis has brought, FP-people will always be there for each other.
basically my fountain pen kept me not insane during lock down. i made it a habit to ink up my pen and clean (not in that particular order). I learned a lot about fountain pen maintenance and i think i am ready for a new one
Joshua, it was my pleasure to meet you at the BWI 2020, unfortunately about the last pen show pre-pandemic. I’ve been using my pens to keep a “health” diary. As you noted, staying home is not great, but like you I have the support of family and my fountain pen hobby. Please keep up the great work you do on this blog as I am a big Pelikan fan and look forward to the amazing information and insights you share with us.
Thanks for the post, Joshua.
Fountain pens are for me often a great refuge from an otherwise stressful existence. The tactile experience of putting ink to paper with a nib, the freedom of expression, and generally the slower, more thought-out process of communicating with the hand-written word all come together to provide an escape from keyboards, databases, and process controls, among other necessary, but sometimes soul-crushing necessities of the modern world. Especially in this pandemic, when my usually hectic travel schedule has all but disappeared, and I have more time daily for myself, I have come to appreciate better many subtleties of writing with fountain pens—the shading of the ink, the feedback of the pen on the paper, even the design elements of individual pen components.
I always especially enjoy technical and historical content on The Pelikan’s Perch as it relates to Pelikan products, and I personally would welcome on The Perch more content on the technical side of design and manufacturing of Pelikan pens (e.g., what parts are machined, which are molded, how are the finished and assembled, and maybe even some history on things like the design of the cap bands or the Souverän finial). Another interesting topic would be the creative side of how Pelikan researches, conceptualizes, designs/develops, and brings new products to market. I suppose even the choice of new colors and material patterns for new models has some quite interesting considerations and trade-offs.
Oh, where to begin… maybe I will just say that this year has been particularly difficult, not just because of the forced isolation COVID-19 has brought us to bear… Just trust me on that.
But on fountain pens and how they have helped me maintain my sanity through this all… fountain pens have been a kind and gracious hobby for me. I have enjoyed chatting and posting about them (mainly post WWII Pelikans) on reddit and FPN, sharing my knowledge to help others when possible. I have also not been below just banally posting photos of my vintage Pelikans and related items just to stoke discussion and earn some praise & likes.
The pens themselves, hunting for them, maintaining and restoring them and yes, playing and even writing with them. 😉 They have provided me with a much needed space where I can concentrate on something other than the everyday toils and indignities, if at least for a while. I do keep a diary in the form of loose leaf papers that I scribble something on almost daily, although sometimes I resort to just doodling things out with fantastic vintage Pelikan nibs just to see and feel the ink flow.
This community has also shown itself to be not just gracious and engaging, but also warm and kind. They are my kind of people, people who want to help others.
The things I have enjoyed here… well, all kinds actually. I love reading historical and reference articles that for example deal with vintage Pelikans but I am also interested in learning about more modern pens and product news also. What I might want to see more… maybe a more comprehensive look on 100N/101N? 😉
Ok, why would I want to add the M205 Moonstone to my flock? Because it is a Pelikan fountain pen? 😀 Honestly, I find the M200/M400 design/form factor to be just perfect for me even with my XL paws. That is why I have resorted to buying vintage 100N & 400-series pens pretty much solely for the last five or so years, they just work for me.
Now, the M205 Moonstone itself… grey has been one of my favorite/signature colors since when I can remember but the problem with that one is the fact that it is really hard color to pull of right (as in, getting the shade etc. right for the use or object in question). Pelikan’s design team really hit it out of the ballpark with this one with sparkles to boot! So yeah, it is a really, really nice design for the money and I can’t wait to see one in person. 🙂
But what would winning that one mean for me? TBH, it would be a little salve to soothe some of the grief that I have had to go through this year. It would also be a very nice and welcome addition to my collection. I mean, I really like the design but do not know when I would feel justified buying one at this moment in time. Due to a recent loss in the family I am dealing with up and coming inheritance taxes and other associated costs while helping the rest of the family with theirs, as much as I can. Like I said, this year has been a bear.
For myself, My fountain pens have been a source of comfort since they really force me to sit down and contemplate my thoughts and feelings when I journal. I love the way my pens let me just really take my time and think things through.
The Perch is great, because even though I don’t own a Pelikan myself, I really appreciate the updates and the transparency I’ve read here on the blog.
For my winning a M205 Moonstone would be fantastic as it would be my first Pelikan, and what a lot of people forget is that Moonstone also a birthstone of June, and as a June baby I love the lesser known birthstones of my birth month.
I’m a biochemical engineering student and most of my classes have gone online. Luckily I can still use my fountain pens to take notes and practice my math. My pens really are making the semester more joyful!
I loooove when you write posts about the history of certain pen models or Pelikan in general. It really makes me feel closer and more attached to the brand when I can learn so much about it.
I would like to have an M200 Moonstone because it would add to the small collection of limited edition Pelikans I have and it would surely get plenty of writing time in my pen rotation for notes and journaling.
During the beginning of the pandemic, i wrote letters to the people in our church. This helped me feel connected in some way and hopefully helped them feel that sense of connection. Many reached out and said as much. Of course, I wrote the letters with fountain pens!
I appreciate these giveaways that you put together! I would enjoy this pen because i currently don’t have a piston filler and have never owned a Pelikan. It would be my first!
I use a fountain pen for work notes, usually when I’m trying to figure out a problem, I’ll write out what I know, and possible ideas. Writing things down helps me think in a way that let’s my brain slow down and focus, which helps when there’s the stress of living through a pandemic hanging overhead. 🙂
I find writing by hand to be meditative and calming, and that’s been important during this pandemic. Also, the fact that fountain pens and inks are so colorful these days helps me infuse a little fun and beauty into my life easily when I need it.
I was never much into journaling before I became interested in fountain pens and inks about two years ago. Since then, I have gone through a self guided penmanship course to make my writing worthy of good pens and started journaling to enjoy my collection and my inks. Since I have been stuck at home during the pandemic, I find that journaling has allowed me to process a lot of the high-speed anxious thoughts that bounce around in my head. I don’t know if it would have occurred me to start journaling to help during this time if it hadn’t been an adjunct to my newfound love of fine pens.
I have not had the opportunity to write with a Pelikan pen but it is next on my list for a future writing instrument. It will still be some time before I can add one to my collection so it would be an honor to receive one in this giveaway earlier than I had expected. I am a huge fan of subdued colors in my pens and inks so that my words are allowed to truly shine. The Moonstone is a true gem and I would love showing it off in my collection.
Writing by hand is meditative, and fountain pens let me add some fun, color, and beauty to that meditation, which is very welcome during this pandemic.
I always appreciate your content about a brand I don’t have much experience with. It helped me have the confidence to buy a 400NN on ebay AND it helped me know what the issue was (cracked collar) when I had trouble with ink flow and how to fix it, so thanks!
I want to add the Moonstone set because I’d like more experience with Pelikan as a brand and because I’m a sucker for everything grey, silver, and especially anything called “moonstone”.
Since COVID, I’ve been spending more time writing letters to my friend across country which has been therapeutic.
I love your historical posts, so keep those up!
I’m interested in experiencing more of the Pelikan steel nibs. Plus, the Moonstone is awful pretty.
Well, I don’t really have an issue with the isolation honestly. I have housemates around that were here when it started, so we’re still around eachother. I work for now, in a hospital as the IT admin for the nursecall system. So when this whole thing started, I had to get a lot of stuff sorted and had to physically arrange a lot of things and do a bunch of moves and help people think things out. So while I didn’t use my pens to cope with isolation, I used them for notes to keep track of which devices went where, or to explain things to people, or to keep a list of items to do. I keep a pen holder for 4 pens, so I always have a number of colors to write and use for underlining, important details, etc. That’s how I used them!
Writing daily in my journal continues to take my mind off the ongoing global struggles. In addition, I have found some fountain pen blogs (including this one!) that have cause me to delve deeper into this hobby. I probably spend far too much time reading reviews, looking at pictures of neat pens, and writing with my own. Adding the M205 Moonstone to my flock would be my second Pelikan. I purchased my first, M600 in green, earlier this year. I am a big fan of grey (and green!) and would thoroughly enjoy the looks of this pen. In addition, it would be a good way to mark some big accomplishments I’ve had this year (new job, first house, completing a MSE, and publishing an article).
Thank you for the opportunity!
Calligraphy is a way of meditation. Much needed to free my mind and let the ink flow this year.
Calligraphy is a way of meditation for me. It’s been much needed to empty my mind and just let the ink flow this year.
I have written a journal on an irregular base. I used the “Journal in June with Goulet Pens” blog to get inspired on what to write about. Sometimes it was easy and the fountain pen was running on the pages, but some subjects got me thinking very hard. I felt writing kept me grounded and focused. It was nice to actually take the time to do it although I was working from home and still was very busy.
I have been attending the Pelikan Hub for a few years so I own a few of the Edelstein inks. However, I have never bought the pens that go with the ink. This year, when I saw it, I thought “it looks gorgeous, maybe I should buy it!” But if I win it, that’s way better! 🙂
Writing has always been a big part of my life, so it was the natural fallback when the world fell apart. Months of unease and uncertainty, fear and anxiety. All bleed away when I touch that pen to paper.
I am a lawyer and I have been working at my dining room table for the past six months. I am also a writer — I have written memoirs, short stories, novels. A few weeks into quarantine, perhaps due to the ergonomics of my home work set-up, I started having horrible repetitive strain in my right hand. After experimenting various ways, I figured out it was constant mousing on the computer that was causing the pain. So, for several weeks, I needed to return to as much longhand writing as possible. Fortunately, I have been collecting fountain pens for years. I inked up a bunch of pens and felt like I was returning to the 19th century. The novel I am currently writing is partially set in Lyon during WWII and then in Los Angeles. I love Pelikan pens, but I am finding that I needed to use smaller ones to help keep my hand pain in check. My big red-striped M800 will need to wait for another month or year.
My little Stresemann and the iconic blue M120 have been the perfect things. Plus, they make me feel like I am living in the times I am writing about. I wrote a piece about some of this on my website. https://kathleenohanlon.com/2020/06/23/starched-linen-1/ How lovely would it be to have another Pelikan brother to join them!
I’m a bit of a classicist with my pens. I prefer black, moody blues, greys with inks to match. The Moonstone fits perfectly in my preferred zone.
I have used your website to better understand the numbering and sizes of the Pelikans. You provide a wonderful amount of information!
In quarantine, as one seldom goes out, writing (of course with fountain pens — as how else can one write, then again writing this contradicts such a statement, but nevermind it), has helped me escape to new worlds of my own creation, understand reality, and otherwise explore.
I love how this website keeps one up to date with information pertaining to Pelikan. It really is a great source for information.
Coping: I’ve been doing a fair amount of letter writing. Of course with fountain pens. Writing about one’s health and asking of others’ takes on significance when the connection is by mail and thus slower. And more so when the person you correspond with lives in a hard hit area.
I enjoy your news of events and releases from Pelikan. You keep us up to date very well.
How can one not enjoy a sparkling gray pen and matching. It would make up a little of our loss from not being able to gather at a Pen Hub this year
My pens and inks have made journaling during this time a joy, and I’ve been spending more time in online pen groups sharing swatches. The Moonstone would be my first Pelikan and may be my first Pelikan purchase regardless of this giveaway outcome.
My fountain pens have helped me connect with my sister through writing letters during the pandemic. I enjoy your posts about the smaller Pelikan models. I wish they had more colors but I know they’re niche. And M205 would be my second Pelikan! My first was a gift from my boyfriend.
My fountain pens have helped me during this time by bringing me pleasure in my writing. Very relaxing to me.
I use my ocean swirl 805 for journaling in my Hobonici techo This helps me get my thoughts and life changes down and out of the swirl of my brain. Love my pens for this purpose but also for writing cards to friends through the pandemic lockdown. Congrats on your anniversary.
How paper and pens and ink helped me through the ‘crisis’ well that’s odd because I think I am one of those that really isn’t affected much other than the pain of being unable to have your colleagues around… Other than that writing utensils play an important role in the analog side of my life. A bulletjournal, a Studio Note to keep a journal and an MD page-a-day to keep track of appointments and daily habits and as a scratchpad…
I think, for me as many others, the quarantine and Covid in general has made me feel more isolated and just generally less overall happy and positive. I used fountain pen purchasing as a form of retail therapy to make myself feel better. I know, not the most responsible form of therapy, but it’s better than others lol. Then using fountain pens brings me joy as well, so it was a win-win.
I actually haven’t used Pelikan’s Perch before. I was introduced to the site through this giveaway, but I’m glad I found it and look forward to all the future content.
Ah yes well retail therapy is at least three orders of magnitude cheaper than being in hospital. I’m doing this kind of therapy a bit longer already and never was really into Pelikan until I found out about the Signum series which was sort of logical being into eighties metal pens. And from there I ventured into the Level series which are great really. They’re holding a metric ton of ink and are your typical Pelikan smooth writers…
I always learn so much about Pelikan from your posts. Thank you!
Journalling about how life changed during the quarantine has helped tremendously. I used your blog early on to help in deciding which new Pelikan to purchase and am thoroughly enjoying a new M600. I have two M205s and would love to add a third to the collection!
Congrats on the anniversary! My fountain pens have been helpful, as always, to capture and send notes and letters with a personal touch. The Moonstone M205 would be a great companion to my black M600 and M215 Rings pens, and I am curious to discover the weight differences between the M215 and M20x versions.
I am new to the fountain pen world and tried a few before I found Pelikan. Now I am an enthusiast. Well an enthusiast with 2 Pelikan pens. Hardly does two make a flock. I have the M205 Blue and i was able to locate an M600 green stripe with an OM nib. I would love to make this pen part of my collection.
My Pelikans have helped me in this time of pandemic because the M1000 Green Ray came out just as lockdown was really beginning to wear on us, and I totally splurged and bought it as my “As a priest, I managed to figure out how to do Lent and Holy Week and Easter Sunday online with no warning or training” treat to myself. It was so incredibly gorgeous that I couldn’t resist. It is now my absolute favorite pen in my entire collection. I keep it inked with aqua or turquoise inks and it makes me so happy to look at and use. It brings me a bit of beauty every day. The M1000 Green Ray also showed me that I can enjoy large pens even though I have small hands, if they are light and well-balanced.
I use my pens every day for note taking and for journaling and for sermon-writing, and for writing notes to parishioners. During the lockdown the online fountain pen community has been a key social connection which is distinct from my work, which is very important.
A few weeks ago Appelboom had a special where you got a “Pelikan Cares” facemask with any Pelikan purchase. Since it would be a great way to rep my Pelikan passion in this time of mandatory mask wearing, I went ahead and ordered the M205 Blue Marble, which I’d always admired since I first saw one but hadn’t justified buying yet, so I could get the mask.
My M205s are my favorite everyday Pelikans that I can take with me anywhere. My M205 Aquamarine was my first bird, and got me hooked on the brand. Pelikan is one of two brands I’d say I come closest to “collecting” rather than “randomly acquiring.” So I’d love to add another M205, the Moonstone, to my flock, but given my earlier splurges in the “pendemic,” I’ve been on the fence about buying it.
The M1000 Green Ray was released just as we got into the most serious part of the lockdown here in Connecticut, and when I, as a parish priest, was trying to figure out how to have my parish observe Lent, Holy Week and Easter without meeting in person or entering our buildings or celebrating the sacraments. It was exhausting and challenging and certainly nothing I’d ever imagined doing. The Green Ray was so gorgeous (I love raden, and turquoise and pink are two of my favorite colors in anything), that I splurged and bought one as my treat to myself for dealing with the pandemic. It is now my favorite pen in my entire pen collection because of its beauty and the way it writes (it’s also the most expensive, but that’s not why it’s my favorite!). I keep it inked with aqua or turquoise ink and it brings joy and beauty into my life every time I look at it or write with it.
The online pen community has been a key source of social connection and community at this time when we cannot travel to see friends or family or even have lunch with friends. I have only been in my current town and parish a year, so haven’t had time to make many local friends yet, and non-parish friends are essential for clergy, so the pen community has been a godsend for me.
I use my pens daily for note taking, journaling, writing notes to parishioners, and writing sermons and reflections.
Later this spring Pelikan and Appelboom offered a free “Pelikan Cares” face mask with any Pelikan pen purchase. I took that as inspiration to order an M205 Blue Marble, which I’ve always admired, so that I could rep my love for Pelikan by wearing the mask.
The M205s are my favorite Pelikans for carrying everyday and not worrying about–their bouncy steel nibs, attractive materials, and (for Pelikan) reasonable price point make them a great pen. Even though I love my big M1000 and it showed me I can use large pens if they’re well-balanced and light, the M200-400 and M600 sizes are more my (and my wallet’s!) preference. My M205 Aquamarine was my first bird, and what got me totally hooked on the brand. Pelikan is one of the two brands I’d say I come closest to “collecting” rather than just randomly acquiring. (The other brand is Pilot, so you can see I like a smooth writing experience and a bit of bounce.)
(I tried to post an earlier version of this by phone but didn’t see it appear–apologies if this is a double post, and feel free to delete one or the other.)
Posted too soon…. I’d like to win the Moonstone because it would expand my M205 sub-collection, and because I want to support anything Pelikan does to make their more affordable pens also more interesting in materials! I love the stripes but heartily commend the move into sparkles!
As for the blog, just keep doing what you’re doing. I turn to you for all my Pelikan news.
I’m a history buff, so anything about Pelikan’s corporate history or place in German culture, especially during the world wars, would always be enlightening. Also, why on earth the US distributor prices themselves out of the online market such that so many of us buy our birds from overseas rather than support our local shops, because the price difference is too big to overlook.
thank you for connecting folks with Pelikan. They are one of my favorite pen brands, but I only have 1! During the past year, fountain pens continue to bring joy. I write a lot. From daily writing to list making to doodling I think how my pens have been a place where I can experience joy wherever I am. Holding the pen, feeling the paper, riding the ink, seeing that perfect combination of pen, paper, pigment … just, wonderful. A mini retreat with no demands or expectations. Thank you for supporting the pen community.
I’ve been reluctant to add many other Pelikans because I am on a very limited budget. I prefer larger pens so these more expensive pens are a bit out of reach. I do get enticed by some of the 205s because I prefer silver accents to gold. And I’m very excited about Moonstone because my favorite color is grey (seriously) and it is just a striking pen. It looks even better than the last few releases. I’m in love. I don’t “mind” smaller pens so I think this one will feel well fitted in my hand because it is just so lovely. I’m looking forward to it. What a great release. Kudos to Pelikan. Thanks to Pelikan’s Perch!
I find myself writing in a journal to deal with the stress of semi-isolation, and having a outlet makes it more bearable. Alongside this, writing to my significant other everyday had made a huge difference.
Personally, I have never had a pelikan pen, and I would love to diversify my collection a little, alongside that, my girlfriend loves smaller pens and pale greys, so she would love to try both of these.
1. Fountain pens have helped me cope because I have been buying more fountain pens in an effort to support smaller vendors and makers.
2. I have enjoyed the in-depth stories you publish in The Perch. I like that they are thoroughly researched and well-written.
3. I would like to win the M205 Moonstone, because I don’t have any sparkly pens, so this one would fill that yawning chasm.
Fountain pens have helped me to tide through this pandemic time through journaling. It is a process of reminding myself to always treasure each new day. I do not own a Pelikan yet but would really be excited to get my hands on one if I were to win this! This M205 Moonstone will definitely be a good starting point to build a flock in the future.
1. Writing has helped me release a lot of stress and anxiety.
2. I love learning new facts about Pelikans from your website!
3. It would replace my current Pelikan whose cap just cracked :/
Im very new to fountain pens and stationery. I got a lamy in July and some nice paper because I wanted to have meaningful tools to write letters to my family, that I had moved away from at the end of February. Between those letters and a newfound love of journaling, Ive been making my way through it all a day at a time. Fountain pens are, to me, a way to bring just a little bit of consideration back to the world which is so focused on being efficient and quick. The ink and pen choice are proxy for the physicality and style beyond my words and feelings.
Ill be very honest, I am new to this blog, but I look forward to following it! As Ive gotten more and more into pens, Ive been looking for more writing and video content to get into.
Adding this pen to my collection would be essentially the next fountain pen step for me. All of my pens come from the “starter pens” lists on suggestion pages, so the Pelikan represents a pen thats less assembly line than the ones I own currently. And I love my Lamy Safaris: they have been an encouragement- little reasons to keep writing for the joy of the physical act of writing. Adding in a pen of the quality of a Pelikan M205 would be the equivalent of going from a Volkswagen to a Mercedes-Benz. You can enjoy a drive in a Volkswagen, but you enjoy drive-ing a Mercedes.
🙂 Thank you for all your interesting posts about pens, inks and writing!
What a great Birthday Gift you’re giving one of us. However, I will refrain from entering your giveaway, as I gray is not really my color of choice (If you’d give a way a purple, orange or red pen, then I’d be shouting “Yes, here I am!!!), although I will add the ink to my collection!
Stay healthy and keep on the fantastic work on interesting things about wriging.
Have a HAPPY day!
Claudia 🙂
I work as a doctor in Scotland, but handwriting letters and cards is a good therapy following the stress in the pandemic.
I have a multi-faceted love affair with Pelikan which makes the Perch a favourite read. I love my M800’s and M1000’s on a rotation and also work at a local fine writing retailer selling these great pens. I was among the 5 members of the jury who selected Olivine (the grey came in second) and was noted in the first issue of Pelikan Passion magazine. As a teacher I have been away from the classroom, but actively logged my online classes during the spring – and wrote the first draft of a short story/novella – with my trusty pals from Hanover. As I return to the classroom – and online – I will continue to enlighten my high school Business students by using (but certainly not lending!) my fountain pens. Your objectivity and ratings have been the best I’ve seen on-line and a great source of new and in-depth information for me when I am selling Pelikan on Saturdays. If only the distribution to Canada shipped these new introductions faster! The Star Ruby with the glitter wasn’t my style but the monochromatic Moonstone is indeed intriguing and would be a welcome addition to my modest flock. Perhaps you could include an inked-up photo of any demonstrators such as these Edelstein models so we can visualize what they’d look like in-use. Keep up the great work and Happy Anniversary!
I’ve been casually using fountain pens for years, but working (and doing everything from home) has made me use fountain pens all the time. My archivist friend encouraged me to keep a covid journal, so I’ve been journaling every day since march, and I’ve bought a bunch of new fountain pens to keep journaling interesting. And I’ve reconnected with the online fp community, which has been wonderful.
I don’t actually own any pelicans. The aesthetic hasn’t been my thing, or the ones I’ve liked have been way too expensive for me. But I love moonstones, and I think this pen is gorgeous. So, if I win this, it’ll be my first; and if I don’t win it, I’ll be buying it once it’s on sale.
I have a chronic illness, I almost never left home during the whole pandemic process. But I couldn’t stop without getting a pen. As I am already a copywriter and social media editor, I was able to manage my business from home. Fortunately, there is writing and reading. Do not miss the streets very much, only the countryside and the sea. And… Happy Anniversary! Be safe everyone!
I’ve been enjoying sending letters across the world and getting to use all my pens! I’ve never owned a Pelikan, but I’ve been looking at them for years. I’m just trying to decide where to start. I just found your blog from the Pen Addict and what a great introduction to Pelikan. I hope to start my flock with the M205. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Congratulations The Perch.
I can only write personal texts with a fountain pen. Then I copy on digital media but the creation needs to be with a fountain pen.
The Perch has been my main source of information about Pelikan.
The M205 Moonstone seems unobtrusive enough to be used daily, although it is sparkling. It would be the pen to carry with me daily in my notebook. Just out of curiosity, my birthday is also on September 1st.
Writing (with a fountain pen of course), provides a means to create a new world, a new reality. Allows us to ponder reality, and to call ourselves silly after the fact. It is a rather wonderful experience, for one can explore the world in our minds and on paper, without ever leaving the house, and that is truly wonderful during this time.
I have learned so much about Pelikan from this blog, it covers nuances of a subject in a manner that I seldom see.
Thanks for giving us the chance to celebrate the anniversary together!
I’ve been using fountain pens for about 45 years. I use the pens to take notes on work-related matters, to write almost every day in a journal and to send hand-written notes to people (a few of them each week). During the pandemic I’ve been writing more notes to people just to stay more closely connected with friends and family as we are physically isolated from each other.
I’ve so appreciate the Pelikan’s Perch because you keep us informed both about the new developments and products and well as keeping us deeply grounded in the long Pelikan history. You know so much about the whole story, I’m just very happy to follow you and your curiosity, Joshua.
I’ve typically been attracted to the more primary colors of ink–blue, purple, orange, red, green, etc. I’m finding the Moonstone to be kind of mysterious and inviting in a deeper, more primal way. So, I’d love to be able to add both the pen and the ink to my flock!
I have been writing in my journal a lot more. I have just started collecting fountain pens just this year. I have always been using and collecting pens in general. I used fountain pens many years ago but have just this year started using them again. It has given me some relaxation and stress relieving effects by putting pen to paper with my frustrations and good experiences.
I do not own any Pelikan products yet. To win this sure would be a great start in having a very high quality product. Thanks for the chance of finally acquiring one. I hope I win.
Raymond
Pens have helped me enjoy the small things in life.
Since March 13th (the last day I went to my office — I’ve been working from home since), I’ve been writing at least one postcard or letter a day — using, of course, my fountain pens. Besides reaching out to people I care about, it’s given me more hobbies to occupy my mind so it doesn’t start spinning — postcard shopping, looking for neat vintage stamps on eBay, and similar. It’s helped see me through the isolation of COVID19, and has even prompted a few friends to pick up their own pens and write a few cards.
I’m entirely new to Ye Perch — I don’t even own a Pelikan yet, though I *do* keep looking at them. My most expensive pen to date is a Lamy AL-star, so a Pelikan would be a bit of a jump in cost. But they’re lovely pens, and every indication is that they’re exactly the kind of thing I’d enjoy. And, wow, that Moonstone model is exceptional.
I’m a new reader, and very new to Fountain Pens. I bought my first pen (Dark Green Kaweco Sport) after being quarantined and have now filled two Rhodia dotBooks with an idea for a novel. It’s been great fun. A Pelikan M205 Moonstone would be my first high-end pen, and I’d love to know how that would feel. I love a small pen that posts. This looks to be the perfect pen for an architect — the reserved grey speaks to my mathematical, reserved side, and the sparkles add that artistic design flair.
The pandemic really threw a wrench into our education curriculum, and while it was nice to have the luxury of being able to hole up inside and take notes on online lectures with fountain pens, it was also a humbling realisation of why I went into medicine. I look forward to the coming years when I will be able to tackle the challenges following Covid with my colleagues and patients. But now, it is my job to learn as much as I can, and fountain pens certainly make it less painful!
I would love to be able to try the Moonstone as it has both the charms of modern-looking demonstrator (which I haven’t had since a TWSBI 540 many years ago that cracked…) while maintaining an understated and professional look from afar that doesn’t draw too much attention.
Thanks a lot for the blog and the giveaway.
Fountain have helped me during the confinement mainly because I keep a journal, and the main reason to keep a journal is to write with my fountain pens.
What I like the most in The Pelikan’s Perch are the posts about the history of the different models.
I want the M200 Moonstone set because get is my favourite colour for ink, and among my favourites for pens (along with yellow and orange)
My pen hobby has helped me maintain a regular schedule during quarantine of writing and maintenance. It has also brought me community through the r/fountainpens and Pen Addict podcast 🙂
This Pelikan would be the first in my collection. I have been wanting a Pelikan for some months now but they’re quite expensive, so this would mean a lot to me.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve leaned into writing fiction, which helps a creative project I’m working on and helps keep me distracted to boot.
Moonstones are among my favorite gemstones, and this year’s pen is really quite lovely. I’ve only ever had a Pelikano, and it was a fine writer, but I passed it along to my spouse so he could try a Pelikan.
I work in frontline healthcare and times have been challenging. I use my pens when I’m not at work to write letters to my young son for him to read when he gets older.
The M205 is my favourite Pelikan model, and dark grey and black pens are my favourite pen colours. So, the Moonstone edition looks right up my alley!
Thank you for the giveaway.
I have always loved Pelikans ever since I got my first one – an M405 – and think this special edition just fits the bill, as it were!
Best regards.
I’ve taken the pandemic as an opportunity to restart daily journaling, a habit that faded away after the birth of our son. Writing has been a great way to slow down and think about what I am grateful for despite tough times.
I’ve never owned a Pelikan. I’ve seen and heard great things about them. They all look so beautiful. I’d love to get the chance to own one.
Thank you for giving us an opportunity to win such a beautiful pen.
I had a journaling-with-a-fountain-pen phase decades ago and am just starting to pick it up again. I ordered a Lamy Safari and a Leuchtturm notebook (pen is here, still waiting on the notebook, but it should be any day now!). I remembered in my previous fountain pen phase that I had a bottle of very memorable green Pelikan ink and started to look into Pelikan more. I never knew back then about Pelikan fountain pens, but I definitely do now! I’ve decided that they are my grail pen and that’s how I ended up finding your blog. I think I have to work up to a Pelikan slowly, though. I’ll probably reward myself with a new pen when I finish my first journal, and well, then I have to think of what goals I should meet before springing for the Pelikan grail pen. Thanks so much for the opportunity!
Edit: I wanted to add that my favorite post so far is “A Guide to Buying Pelikan” since that is where I am in the search right now. The comments on the vintage 400NN (especially the part where you mention that it would probably be the pen you would choose if you could only keep one!) have me thinking that will be my first Pelikan, rather than the new model I was thinking of before. The best part about this is that it is more affordable and so I can probably justify getting it much sooner!
I have been using pens to reflect on the times we are in. To process it all and to give myself a record of what we have experienced. And maybe to pass the record onto my kids.
I enjoy The Perch for the historical perspective you provide. I like learning about a brand I care about more in-depth.
Winning this pen would be great. I would enjoy using it in my daily writing and the pen would also be a great pocket pen. It would also feel like a win in a world where that is not the case lately. I was looking for a new job before the pandemic, and now am out of work and trying to lead 3 kids through online schooling, while also trying to figure out my own future in a really bad job market. I can’t afford any new pens right now, so this would be an amazing treat.
Thanks for your work here and the giveaway,
I was first taught to use a fountain pen at junior school. My father had bought me a cheap one from a well known stationery store. I was intrigued and in awe about it. Especially how the nib, or so I thought, was so smooth. Later, I lost interest during secondary (high) school as ballpoint pens in all shapes and sizes were prevalent. It was not until around 10 years ago that my interest was rekindled when I saw that there were YouTube channels and many websites devoted to fountain pens. I bought my first expensive (anything over 100 GBP was expensive in my opinion), which was a Waterman Carene. It was the unique inlaid nib and design that caught my attention. Over the years, I would buy a new pen infrequently and would sometimes spend hours just writing, anything that came into my mind; random thoughts, poems, essays, lists, you name it. It was the joy of writing with a pen. I ended up with a couple of Pelikan fountain pens too.
The death of my father just over a year ago really hit me. He sadly passed away within a month of being diagnosed with cancer. During those last few weeks, I had tried to obtain as much information as possible about his life; his childhood stories of growing up, the troubles and hardship that he had been through and all the happy parts of his life. I was using a fountain pen to jot down as much as possible. He said that he had so much to tell me but sadly in a short time I had lost my mentor, teacher, my pillar of support. It was then that I lost interest in fountain pens and writing. Over time, it had made me think, that I must write down my life story for my children, their children and so on for them to read but I never lifted a fountain pen let alone a pen to write this all down.
Fast forward to now, the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown had turned my attention back to pens and writing. Again, writing random thoughts, phrases, anything has helped me cope with the isolation brought on by the pandemic but yet I could not find myself to write my own life story until I saw a picture of the Pelikan M205 Moonstone Demonstrator fountain pen on your website. At this point, I knew that this is the pen that I would want to use to write my life story.
I enjoy reading the history about fountain pens and this is what I enjoy reading about the most on Pelikan pens at Pelikan’s Perch.
I would like to add the Moonstone to my current flock because this is the pen that I would use to write my life story and winning such a pen will make my dream come true hopefully enabling me to find some solace. The pen will also be a sibling to my M205 Clear Demonstrator, where the pens will form a Yin Yang complement.
Like so many others, I have found during this quarantine period that the physical act of writing is calming and healing in a way that interacting with screens is not. I had been writing letters to a number of people (both real life relatives and friends and pen pals found through groups like FPN and Postcrossing) already, but am doing much more of that now. I am exploring ways to keep a journal and to both record and control my emotions.
I love Pelikans. My first fountain pen (age 9, Lagos, Nigeria) was a Pelikan school pen. When I came back to Pelikans as an adult, the first “serious” pen I bought was a Pelikan 400NN. In an age where large pens are prized, I value smaller pens like the Pelikan 2xx/4xx – I find them just perfect. If I were to receive the Moonstone, it would join a very small group of Pelikans, and would be used regularly.
I’m grateful to you for providing all this information about Pelikans. I’ve enjoyed reading and learning from you about my favorite pens. I’ve also been reading through the comments and am so impressed with all of the folks who have chosen to tell a little about their journey with fountain pens, so I know that the pen will go to someone who will love and appreciate it.
Like so many others, I have found during this quarantine period that the physical act of writing is calming and healing in a way that interacting with screens is not. I had been writing letters to a number of people (both real life relatives and friends and pen pals found through groups like FPN and Postcrossing) already, but am doing much more of that now. I am exploring ways to keep a journal and to both record and control my emotions.
I love Pelikans. My first fountain pen (age 9, Lagos, Nigeria) was a Pelikan school pen. When I came back to Pelikans as an adult, the first “serious” pen I bought was a Pelikan 400NN. In an age where large pens are prized, I value smaller pens like the Pelikan 2xx/4xx – I find them just perfect. If I were to receive the Moonstone, it would join a very small group of Pelikans, and would be used regularly.
I’m grateful to you for providing all this information about Pelikans. I’ve enjoyed reading and learning from you about my favorite pens. I’ve also been reading through the comments and am so impressed with all of the folks who have chosen to tell a little about their journey with fountain pens, so I know that the pen will go to someone who will love and appreciate it.
Thanks for the opportunity!
During the confinement, I was able to take my Toledo without fear to lost it 🙂
The feel of the nib on good paper has helped me a lot this year. Don’t even really have to say anything when I journal, just relax and went the feel of the nib and the ink flow.
The Perch has been fun to read and informative on pens that I would never know about otherwise. I’ve been into the hobby for a couple of years now, but still feel like a total newbie and the site has been very informative.
I don’t currently on a Pelikan, and I really like the 200/05 models. The colors are cool, but the dark grey is probably my favorite of all that I’ve seen since I’ve gotten into the hobby. The amethyst wins overall, but that one came out before I fell in love with pens. So let me see what the pen is all about,and hopefully I’ll get lucky! And I’ve really fallen hard for nice grey inks lately. Definitely getting a bottle when I can.
I just started my fountain pen journey, and may have dove head first. It was partly driven by world events and wanting to get things down on paper. I’ve been looking to just explore options on pens with a good writing experience to me, so winning my firs Pelikan seems like a good way to do that 🙂
Writing has become especially important to me this year; partially due to the mindfulness I experience during, but also through the creative process and I am constantly trying to process what in the world is happening each day. Fountain pens are my writing tool of choice most days because it is an additional hobby that sort of piggy backs onto my writing hobby. Or maybe it’s the other way around? Ive found that I’m not so interested in constant Zoom meetings with friends this year, I’m already on Zoom for work all day, and so writing has allowed me to still communicate in the absence of some of my good friends. After starting work from home I got to go all in on making my work station a writing station as well where I can safely store and constantly use my tools. The pandemic sucks. But it’s helped me get rid of some of the chafe that had prevented me from writing more.
Hi Joshua,
Thanks for putting together this contest!
For probably the past 14 years, now, fountain pens have been my main writing tool for my journaling. While I could use a pencil, a ballpoint, or a rollerball, I’ve just found myself heavily attracted to fountain pens. The ability to vary line widths, choose different nib sizes, choose different ink colors, and just feel connected with the paper, and the act of journaling, in a way that only a fountain pen experience provides. I guess I can’t really describe it very well, but it just feels….right. So I would say that during these COVID times, my fountain pens have helped me the same now, as they have in the past, which is to help me to put my thoughts down on paper and help me to enjoy every moment doing so.
What I’ve enjoyed the most about your posts is the information. Upcoming pen release information, historical pen information, and information about Pelikan the company, its services, etc. I’ve chosen to keep my fountain pen collection focused on Pelikan only and all the information you provide has been superb.
I’d like to add the M205 Moonstone to my collection because, well, I don’t have one yet. 😀 I don’t own a pen yet in that color spectrum and the sparkles are a really cool feature. I enjoy switching pens when I journal, so winning a Moonstone, with its unique color and sparkle, would be more than welcomed in helping me to continue my daily journaling experience and joy.
Thanks again, Josh! Keep up the good work!
Ryan
Hi Joshua,
I’ve bought several pens during the pandemic. A few times from a brick and mortar seller to help support them during these hard times. I’m a letter writer to pen pals, so that has helped me feel less isolated.
I very much enjoyed the post on vintage Brown Tortoise pens in the 400 range. When I knew very little about Pelikan pens, your blog helped me when my pen was leaking ink. Ah , the nib was loose. I also liked the post on brown demonstrators.
You do such a great job with the blog. It’s hard to know what to suggest. I like the polls.
As for Moonstone, I knew I would want the matching pen when I saw the ink on FPN. I like gray inks, and it seems like gray pens are underrepresented. I do have some Moonstone jewelry. I think the Moonstone demonstrator has a chance to be a gorgeous pen.
I live in New Zealand and our Prime Minister came down hard on the Covid response so we are doing quite well here and I live where most isolation is over. But because I am older I have been keeping out of the mainstream and at home enjoying my fountain pen hobby and garden. Letter writing is a joy and I have a few Pelikans and the first one was a gift from my Brother which is wonderful. A M600 that writes like a dream. The Pelikan Perch has been a very helpful site in my knowledge of older vintage Pelikans since I follow our Auction site here in New Zealand and just currently an M140 is up for auction and I was able to figure out that it probably is from 1954-1964 and it is grey stripe which is interesting. I love grey inks so the giveaway is also of interest and the Edelstein inks are such excellent inks for the Pelikan pens. And I appreciate so much that the draw can be International. I do not enjoy Social Media so I will not have the advantage of two entries but I am sure the giveaway will go to a person that will love it. Thanks Joshua for the help you have given me in the past and if I win the M140 I will send you a picture and what I paid for it. BarbarainNZ .
During our isolation times I wrote letters and more letters and enjoyed the Pelikan Perch for all its historical and vintage information since I watch our Auction site here in New Zealand often. Right now there is an older M140 pen offered and so far I am the winning bidder but we have a few days to go yet. It is a grey stripe which is interesting but who knows if others are waiting in the wings to knock me off my perch! Joshua if I win the pen I will send you a picture and what I paid for it to add to your current knowledge. You were very helpful to me in the past but I am flying alone on this one and we will see how I do. I do not use Social media so I will only have one entry for the giveaway but that is Ok as who ever gets the pen will be happy I am sure. Good luck to all. BarbarainNZ
During isolation, I was writing stories to help me get through this pandemic, and fountain pens have helped me unleash my inner author.
As society has ground to a halt and the world has gone all but silent, the smallest things have made the biggest impact.
For me, that has meant hand-written letters to my friends which have become the closest we can come together while we’re forced to stay apart. The difference that a fountain pen makes is astonishing as it gives just that little bit more expressiveness at a time when every bit counts.
This year I decided to double down on stationery following its elevated importance in my life and The Pelikan’s Perch helped me to welcome my first Pelikan home as the founder of the flock. Particularly helpful was the infographic explaining exactly what the differences are between the model – that sort of resource is invaluable!
There are so many deserving people in these comments who would make a great home for this special pen. If I were the lucky winner this pen would join my fledgling flock and help keep me in touch with the people I love.
You have created a truly remarkable site with “The Pelikan’s Perch”. As Pelikans are my favourite pens (with Sailors coming a very close second) I am always astonished at the depth of research that goes into your articles. I particularly like the historical surveys of specific types of Pelikans, such as your last post on the origin of the demonstrators.
But honestly, I don’t need (or deserve) another Pelikan as my collection has now reached 37 of these beautiful instruments!
Although I have a number of the M200 range, I find I use them less compared to the M800s or M600s. For me the M200s lack weight and substance, although they write well and are handy to keep in a jacket pocket or rucksack. The M200s I have particularly enjoyed are the Amethyst and the Smoky Quartz but I suspect that is mainly because these two are my favourite of the Edelstein inks (so it seemed “necessary” to buy one of each of these special editions). The Moonstone is attractive and I particularly like its subtle colouring which elegantly avoids being just another grey pen, but I doubt I will be buying one. My preference is for the M400 which are effectively a more luxurious version of the M200s: I have the M400 Brown Tortoise and M400 Tortoiseshell White, both of which I use frequently.
I hope the person who wins the contest will treasure this pen: it would be nice if it went to someone who has not had a Pelikan before, so that he or she could be introduced to this fabulous pen brand!
I find writing to be be very soothing and easy quick escape, like doing crossword puzzles. As a bit of a geology buff I love the idea of the Moonstone M205.
I have always been a letter writer, using fountain pens, but never more so than during this period.Letters are a tangible connection to another person in an virtual world. They have kept me sane and made me appreciate the small details of the day as I share them with loved ones that I can’t see.
I gravitate towards brands like Lamy and Faber Castell, so this would be my first ever Pelikan. I love the Edelstein Aquamarine ink, so I hope the pens are as good.
1) FPs help me deal with the pandemic by helping me to slow down and archive what’s happening for later generations. One day, I hope that my children will stop to ready my carefully handwritten journal and remember the days of mandatory masks, school cancellations, and family game nights to pass the time in quarantine.
2) I am fascinated by the historical posts. The one about Pelikan’s history during WWII was particularly riveting. Part of the fascination with these pens are their histories, and the stories of the people who created them.
3) Winning a moonstone would be a spot of brightness to distract me from the daily onslaught of negativity in our constant news cycle. We all long for simplicity, and the joy of a new pen being put to paper is an exercise in appreciating the small things in life. Thank you for an amazing blog and a generous giveaway!
My fountain pen is an extension of my mind in quarantine. The flow of the ink changing with the nib, ink, and canvas for my thoughts, just as my mind adjusts to express my thoughts and feelings. Some thoughts are bold and sweeping while others are orderly and maybe even monotonous. My time in quarantine is like that – somedays sweeping outward with the task at hand communicating with people who will receive these thoughts. Some sent in joy and others sent with apprehension or even anger. Other days when left to myself my thoughts become cramped and my expressions on paper reflect the tone of my quarantine – lonely. If only everyday was a vibrant and bold expression of thought demonstrated by an artistic flourish. My hand through my pen to the paper.
The Moonstone would be welcome addition to my slowly growing collection of pens. The moon was used as one of the ancient celestial objects to navigate the oceans. The Moonstone would provide me a tool by which to navigate and record my historical journey through the unending mystery we now call quarantine.
It was fairly recently that I reconnected with my love for fountain pens, & as many have done, I started a not-quite daily journal to cope with the lockdown & the direct feelings & turmoils of being not quite indirectly faced with the pandemic. Using a fountain pen, including a Pelikano junior gifted to me by my Fiancée has allowed me to better think & process all these feelings when writing, for I definitely take more time to think about each word & letter even. I would cherish this special edition pen, because it would be the lucky third “bird” to join my collection, & the colour of both the pen & ink are wonderous & it would be my very first piston filler. I greatly enjoy your reviews & insights into Pelikans both historical & present, & would love to read about the origin of the design on the nibs of the higher range pens on The Perch.
My fountain pens have kept up with my studies throughout the lockdown – and in my final semester of study, no less! Despite the remote delivery, there’s still plenty of handwriting involved in my case. More noticeably, the lockdown is the first time I’ve consistently journalled my thoughts and worries most days – much more frequently than before. Having “regained” some time (hello, commuting), I can now have a leisurely cuppa and write down all of my tangled thoughts for half an hour or so. There’s a quiet sense of joy in the sensory experience — the words appearing on paper in a lovely ink, the nib gliding underneath my hand with just enough pleasant feedback to be heard, the comforting scent of my tea — a joy which I had forgotten in the regular daily bustle, or perhaps had never even found.
I had initially found the Perch looking for more information on the history of the 4001 inks and this is still my favourite type of posts. Delving into the history and development of various products, learning how and why they have changed over time, is absolutely fascinating and the Perch is one of the relatively few accessible places to provide that. You can find heaps of reviews and news items on the internet (which does not diminish their value), but those posts are far more unique, in-depth, and my firm favourite.
This would be my first Pelikan piston-filler, although I had Pelikans as a child, so it would be a great way to start with Pelikans as an adult. And it’s sparkly — I bet a pen which looks like it’s got moon dust (or curshed moonstone) mixed into its body makes the user’s entire mood lift up and light up as soon as the pen is out!
Many thanks for the blog (especially the historical posts) and the giveaway.
i recently rediscovered my love for fountain pens, along with what now seems to be a need for writing. i may never pen something to best “a movable feast”, or de-throne Asimov or Clarke, but i’ve discovered it helps me process many emotions, including the constant frustration of lockdown. The journal that has evolved from a few lines in a pocket sized notebook & has progressed into a full sized collegiate is not meant to be shared with anyone else other than my significant other, which thankfully also shares my like for pens. The Perch has been a wonderful find regarding a brand that unfortunately in my country only markets simple & inexpensive supplies, & marveling at both the historical & current models has given me wings to dream of much better products, including of course, this years m205 moonstone. i’d love to read about the design on the upper echelon of “birds”, since i find it so much more elegant than most others in the current market. i currently own only two Pelikan fountain pens, including a Pelikano junior that has proven a much better writer than it’s humble appearance would let on too, but winning this years M205 Moonstone & enjoying the ink combination would surely be a spark of happiness in this moste gloomy year.
9,21
1. I have been a follower/subscriber for about a year and a reader of the blog for several years. The E-mail notice of new posts is very helpful and cuts down on constantly checking the Perch for new blogs.
2. Being retired now for several years, I have gotten use to being home more. Both my wife and I are in the highest risk categories for the Covid 19 virus, so today is day 173 and the 27th week for us at home. We only get out when necessary for Doctor’s visits —amazing how many of those can be done by video phone calls—, drive in pharmacy pick ups, and occasional pick ups at garden supply stores, groceries are “porch dropped’ to us. All of these are masked of course, as are every two weeks or so porch-yard visits from, or to our daughters and their families. We are expecting this to be our norm until at least well into 2021.
Savings from not burning gas in our cars and not eating out multiple times a week has allowed us to save for the next “rainy day” our civilization has planned for us in the future. It has also allowed me to make a pen purchase or two that I would never even considered before. A custom art pen from Japan (Whenever it ultimately comes) and most recently a M800. Check my instagram post to see the pen. I have started corresponding with some family members I haven’t seen in decades and have developed a pen pal relationship with a pen YouTuber I follow. I am also writing more short cards and notes to folks and about to begin trying to organize and catalogue my pen accumulation. Rather than buy another new pen, I am considering in purchasing one or more serious pen books. I continue a regular subscriber and reader of PenWorld, The Pennant and Paul’s Fountain Pen Journal. I morn the loss of all pen shows this year, in particular Chicago and Ohio the ones I attend as well as the Pelikan Hubs. I miss the friends I have made at these events as well as the Pen Collectors of America meetings and the “informal’ Black Pen Society meetings.
Joshua, I enjoy and find extremely helpful everything you post. I appreciate your meticulous attention to detail and research. Your reporting of Pelikan news has been important, I never would have known about the Hubs or attended two of them. I am particularly drawn to posts that have a history component. Some of the posts that I really appreciated in recent months have been: Unsung History of Pelikan, Inc, U.S.A.; News: Chartpak Changes Pen Repair Policy; and most importantly, Concessions of War: Pelikan: WWII and the Untold Story. So well done and needed. It would be good if other of our favorite pen companies, or someone would do something similar to fill in the embarrassing blanks in their website history timelines from the mid-thirties thorough the late forties.
3. And now I’m off to post on IG my 2nd chance picture so you know which M800 I recently bought. Thank you Joshua and Happy Anniversary.
Thank you for this write-up. I too am retired and am home a great deal. I appreciated your comments so much and I do hope you might consider putting your M800 information on this blog site as some people do not use or enjoy social media like Instagram. I am saving for an M800 and would love to read about your experience. My best, Barbara in New Zealand.
I am fortunate that I do not feel overly stressed by the pandemic, though it is very worrisome. That said, people around me, in the home and in community organizations, do show evidence of greater stress. I have found that using my fountain pens to try out various nibs and inks, and even to spend time cleaning a bunch when I get behind, relieves me from becoming overwhelmed by the stress of others. My pens occupy me in a calming way, including some pretty results.
I appreciate the history of Pelikan and of fountain pens that the Perch provides. I like to follow leads to learn more about new things, and The Pelikans Perch provides a lot of history to satisfy my curiosity.
The M205 Moonstone would fit my little flock well, as I prefer less traditional looking colors. The moonstone is a terrific complement to the several pens I have in various blue finishes. I also get pens from other makers in grey tones a lot.
The lockdown has made me appreciate and use the pens that don’t dry out if left for a while.
I’ve switched around inks, tweaked a few pens ,I also finally broke my one ink-one pen rule after i got a set of 15 bottles.
I’d love to see a post from the perch regarding the differences between all the pelikan models from the M205 to M1005.
I’ve always wanted a pelikan due to their aesthetics and wet nibs.
I love how they progressed from the 100 to the present day collection.
Whenever i see a vintage pelikan advertisement, i think that they are timeless and wouldn’t look out of place even today. Even the typography was well chosen.
This makes me think of pelikan as a company with attention to detail and aesthetics.
That’s why i always wanted to get a pelikan, even today, their range is impressive with a model for everyone.
I wish they made more models with rhodium trim or even ruthenium 😉
I do not have a pelikan yet ,I’d like to get a M815 someday, until that happens, I’d be very happy to use the M205, should i win.
This has been a memorable year. One child off to college, the other at home for senior year of high school. I had the virus, and later, hospitalized with a stroke. Moody grey describes the year as well as the teen’s moods. Me, I’m so grateful for life’s little blessings: I can see, I can drive, I can write. I write daily with fountain pens to strengthen my fine motor skills. Thanks for the work you put into this blog. I arrived here after doing a search for Edelstein’s Smoky Quartz. I know I want the ink. I have had Reform pistons before during school, but felt Pelikans were out of my reach. The corporate logo of a mother feeding her young is particularly touching right now.