Pelikan International’s 2020 Annual Report provided a forecast regarding what we should expect this year out of Hannover, and it has been spot on thus far. Tucked away on page 13 was the statement, “For 2021, we will continue the tradition of reinventing the popular designs with new materials and colours, though we plan to concentrate on less product launches as we cautiously move forward in the market.” It is already August and all we’ve seen come to market thus far has been the M205 Petrol-Marbled, M1000 Maki-e Seven Treasures, and the M605 Green-White. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, we already had nine new models by this point in the year and seven the year before that. Not only is the company sticking with a strategy of fewer releases, they are also embracing the rehash of popular designs with new colors. Late last evening, vendors broke news of the next release due out. This time we have the M1000 Raden White Ray, a re-imagining of 2020’s Green Ray, which is just the latest addition to a growing line of limited edition Raden releases. It will join the likes of past M1xxx Raden models which includes the Moonlight (2011), Sunlight (2013), Starlight (2014), Sunrise (2016), and Green Ray (2020). For those that don’t know, Raden is a traditional Japanese art form used to embellish lacquer ware and woodwork. Small pieces of shimmering abalone shell are utilized in the creation of unique, handcrafted designs. A Urushi lacquer is applied to the barrel and cap before strips of abalone shell are laid down after which a final layer of lacquer is applied to seal everything in place. Each pen is signed by the artist and hand numbered using the Maki-e technique. Just like the Green Ray, this will be a limited edition run of only 400 pieces worldwide. Availability is anticipated for some time in September 2021.
The Raden Green Ray featured colorful pieces of pearlescent Australian abalone shell reflecting hues of green, blue, and purple. The stripes of the Raden White Ray are comprised of particles of white mother of pearl. The mother of pearl stripes reflects more subtle hues of pinks and bluish greens based on the promotional photos. These appear to be laid out on a black resin base which provides some much-needed contrast to accentuate the colors. Accents include a black resin section and piston knob along with the standard gold-plated furniture of the Souverän featuring two trim rings at the piston knob, two cap bands, and a single trim ring at the section. A beak clip draws your eye to the cap top which sports a gold-plated rendition of Pelikan’s single chick logo. The ink view window sits behind the section and is once again done in a dark green tint. As is standard with releases of this type, every White Ray will come equipped with a two-tone 18C-750 gold nib in a medium width though will remain compatible with any M1xxx nib that you might prefer to install. As has been company tradition, these come packaged in a traditional Japanese gift box made of Paulownia wood.
With only 400 pieces produced, availability will be limited. Due to the scarcity and level of artistry involved in the embellishment of Pelikan’s flag ship fountain pen, the price is commensurately high. I have seen some European vendors list this one at €2,340.00 ($2,740.34). US pricing is not immediately available but, as a frame of reference, the Green Ray had a US MSRP of $3,900 and retailed in the neighborhood of $3,120. I would expect the White Ray to go for more based on recent trends, perhaps much more, putting this one out of reach for most.
The White Ray is a pretty pen and I really do like these broad pearlescent stripes first pioneered by the Green Ray. I always reserve final judgement until I have had the opportunity to see real world photos but this one does not grab me like the Green Ray does. The colors on this one seem more subtle and subdued in comparison. That is not a bad thing, but I think this one may appeal to those who prefer a gentler, softer look to their pens for lack of a better description. I know that many who have been holding out hopes for an M8xx release may be disappointed by this one. After all, we haven’t seen an M800 model since 2019’s Brown-Black. Still, we can make the best of it and enjoy the releases that we do get, even if it’s only looking from afar. If money were no object, would the M1000 Raden White Ray find a place in your flock? What do you think of this design compared with last year’s Raden release?
Thanks for the article. A nice pen!
You’re welcome. It is lovely indeed and very different than the Green Ray in terms of feel.
Oh, that is nice. I like it better than the green. Very classic looking and special. And the apparent lower price is much to be welcomed. I am sure this will sell out.
My only hesitation (and this is only my personal reaction) is that Pelikan does this on what is otherwise a standard M1000 pen. I personally do not feel that the maki-e application changes the nature of the pen enough for me to get past what it really is and to justify the investment. If Pelikan made a non-standard pen for these special finishes, as Montblanc does, then it would make more sense to me and would be enormously desirable. How much should we reasonably be prepared to pay for an M1000, no matter what the materials and finish are? But I know many buyers feel otherwise and will be all over this.
I have no doubt that it will sell out. Truth is, most of these are likely already spoken for. You are right, this is the basic M1000 chassis. I see what you’re saying but I can’t see Pelikan going that way. They are very regimented if nothing else. Same pen, different paint job. Its kind of their thing.
Hi Joshua, and thanks for this latest scoop on the new Pelikan raden. My initial reaction is that this Raden White Ray isn’t as interesting as the Green Ray. However, as I look at the pictures more, and think about how mother-of-pearl shimmers and exhibits subtle patterns of color in the light, this pen might be quite interesting in-person. I am a little surprised that the furniture is gold and not rhodium, with all of the other colors being more neutral, but perhaps the gold keeps the overall look from being too “cool”.
I certainly think that this is one I have to seen in person, particularly to gauge how well it plays with the light. I think that there will be little to disappoint here. You nailed my thought as well though I didn’t explicitly state it in my post. When I first heard about this one, I had visions of the Raden Royal Platinum being the palladium plated counter part to the Royal Gold. I think that would have been a nice symmetry here but I do wonder if that would have been too much. The gold plating likely warms up the look a bit and adds to the appeal.
Proud and adoring owner of a Green Ray. The White Ray is beautiful as well but i can’t afford it. The green one was a once-in-a-lifetime splurge!
As always, Josh… Thanks for your work on these articles, the pen looks lovely but I’m not sure how I feel about the green ink window. In truth, the 800s are really my jam and I wish Hanover would do more artistic releases for that model.
The green is very dark and blends in with the black resin well. I don’t think its intrusive. That the consequence though of building these off of a stock frame. I agree about the M800s and hopefully we’ll see one soon. Its been a long drought.
The Green Ray might be one of those “if you were stuck on a desert island and could only take one pen” answers for me. It is beyond compare.
Absolutely stunning and in my opinion sod out before this article was released. Sigh.
You likely aren’t far off. Once you exclude pens that were spoken for before launch, the true availability to the masses is likely much less than 400.
I think it’s gorgeous. If money were no object…it would still be on an M1000 chassis, too big for my hands.
I have to wonder how fragile these pens are. Not likely to be workhorses.
I’m happy to report that they are not at all as fragile as you might think. I’d have no qualms using my Green Ray as a workhorse. The finishes are fairly durable if cared for properly.
That’s good to hear. However gorgeous, (IMHO) a pen should still be a usable tool. Well done, Pelikan!
My sentiments exactly!
Wow, of all the Raden pens released by Pelikan, it is my favorite! This command some serious coins. I can’t believe i’m actually considering using all my savings (especially in these uncertain times) to get one! I’ve never spent more than the cost of a M800 renaissance Brown. I’m sure common sense will prevail. I probably should not have asked to be notified when stocks come in (on Goulet Pens)…
These will command much more than the Renaissance Brown. If you are serious about acquiring one, look to Europe (assuming you’re in the US) as you have the potential to save over significant coin. It won’t make the pen cheap but certainly can bring it a little more within reach. Many people buy a pen like this once in their lives.
Yep. I’ve already got one in my Cart at a authorized retailer in the UK. I know that FPs are not normally the best investment, if at all. But in this case, getting my hands on one of the 400 units for $2,500 CAD ($2,000 USD) is hard to pass!
I would say that fountain pens, in general, are a horrible investment. That said, if you get this one reasonable enough from overseas, I suspect you’d at least be able to get your money back out of it down the road if need be. Good luck adding one to your flock.
Magnificent Pelikan Raden design👍🖋👏
Agreed!
Like you, I do have some reservations about the colour for this release vis-à-vis my Green Ray which in my opinion was Pelikan’s tour de force Raden release. It is amazing, with the European MSRP differing across jurisdictions and it is no wonder the “usual suspects” have already sold out their allocation even before Appelboom released the White Ray on their Instagram page. But the Green Ray needed a “younger sister”, so we shall see how the White Ray looks like in the flesh. Thank you for another great blog post, Joshua.
Personnally, the White Ray is the first of the series I can’t get enough of (look wise)
I can’t wait to see some real world pics of this one. I think I’m going to favor the Green Ray more but this one has a decent shot of winning me over. I think these are going to be hard to come by from Europe as those will likely go quickly leaving behind some obnoxiously priced examples. With a US MSRP of $4200 and a retail of $3360, its over $1000 more expensive to source in the USA.
Hi Joshua, you are quite right in that the White Ray will be flying off the shelves, judging by the success of the Green Ray. It’ll be interesting to see what Pelikan has in store for 2022 – if they’ll release a reinterpretation of previous Raden releases in the M8xx chassis for next year, with wider Raden strips to cater to those hoping for a smaller pen – as you’ve alluded to in earlier posts.
Heck, I would love to seen any M800 at this point, Raden or no. We’ll just have to be patient and wait to see just what tricks Pelikan might have up their sleeve.
I have just taken delivery of a White Ray- and in poor lighting – the yellow hue of the MOP Raden stripes does remind me of the Royal Gold. Those images that’s seen online are the result of good lighting. Very interesting visual effects. If I had to pick favourites, it would still be the Green Ray.
It is certainly time for a new M8xx, and I am looking forward to a surprise from Hannover.
In some lighting, the mother of pearl appears almost ivory like. I like it very much but I agree, the Green Ray would be the one I’d pick between the two. A new M8xx is long overdue but I fear that we will be waiting a bit longer still. I know of one on tap for next year but I haven’t heard of one planned for this year.
I wasn’t going to order the White Ray (I already own the Green Ray, which is a stunner). But when I saw this one in a pen store here in Belgium (at Sakura pens in Diest) last week, which was already sold, I hurried home to scan the internet. The White Raden has to be seen in person, no comparison to the photo’s. When it arrived in the mail today, I was very pleased with my purchase. The cost is unreasonable, obviously. But with a hobby like this… I could have stopped buying when I got my first M800, purely as a writing instrument, years ago, and adding one more as a spare was still justifiable. But… A flock of these birds has a way of finding means to add new chicks to the roost…
My experience was arguably the same as yours. Seeing is believing and the pen is much more impressive in person. I’m glad that you are pleased with your purchase. The logarithmic expansion of the flock is one of those mathematical certainties I’m afraid.
I just had a chance to compare the two in person. While the Green Ray was pretty, the White Ray seemed more luxurious to me. I might be going to get one…
I can see where you’re coming from with that observation. They make a nice pair, for sure.