Pelikan’s original model 400 was manufactured throughout most of the 1950s as well as the first half of the 1960s. The model would experience two major revisions over its production run, but it ultimately proved to be a great success for the brand. Times change and the company moved away from that iconic design for a number of years, with the Merz & Krell 400NN of the 1970s being a notable exception. That classic style which was so popular in its day saw a revival in 1982 when Pelikan launched the first Souverän fountain pen, the model M400. The black/green color combination featuring the “Stresemann” striped pattern was again alive and well and little changed from that 1950s model upon which it was based. Like its predecessor, the M400 was well received, a win that the company desperately needed at the time. The early 1980s marked a turbulent period in the company’s history, one rife with financial trouble and the M400 played its part to help turn Pelikan’s fortunes around. Forty years later and the Souverän series of pens remains a mainstay in the brand’s portfolio, its design is as iconic now as it ever was. In honor of that that forty-year anniversary, Pelikan is releasing a new limited edition fountain pen, the Souverän M800 40 Years Anniversary limited edition. The design of this new pen is meant to commemorate those features of the Souverän that have made their mark over the years. Read on to learn all about this newest limited edition fountain pen out of Hannover.
Anticipation has been high that Pelikan would release a commemorative model to celebrate such a major milestone in of one of their most important and prestigious product lines. The literature that accompanies this pen touts themes like permanence and adaptation while remaining true to self. The black/green striped pattern is hailed as a symbol of strong character and uniqueness, the quintessential sign of the Pelikan Souverän brand. This new model will be based off of the M800 chassis and will likely be a bit heftier than usual due to the additional gilding adorning the piston knob and section. Pelikan has a lot to say in their product literature including some of the following;
“A highlight of this spectacular Limited Edition in the Pelikan Souverän size M800 is the golden ring. The fine lines are diamond – ground and highlight the significance of the quintessential Pelikan Souverän striped design. They run up and down this highly desirable writing instrument with endless grace. It is an icon of the utmost elegance that combines the intricate details befitting a limited edition.”
“The metal logo at the tip of the cap is certain to draw attention, not least with its subtly engraved lines finished with green lacquer. This legendary detail is how Pelikan reestablishes that time – old emotional connection. It includes a curved, beak – like clip, the quintessential trademark of all premium Pelikan writing instruments.”
“The artistic nibs are the crowning glory of every premium Pelikan fountain pen. For decades, experienced craftspeople have handmade these nibs and used their rare skill to perfect them. This limited edition is crowned by an 18 – karat gold nib embossed with exceptional filigree. Each stroke on the paper promises an extraordinarily smooth writing experience. Quintessentially Pelikan.”
Breaking down the pen’s appearance in more detail, it seems as though a lot of classic elements were carried forward and embellished upon. Most notable is the pattern of green stripes adorning the barrel, similar to what you might find on any standard black/green Souverän. What I don’t see is an ink view which would be in keeping with recent developments as previously reported. While not explicitly stated one way or the other in their literature, the pre-release photos do not suggest the presence of one. To set this model apart, a circular gold band bisects the barrel into two halves. The band also has fine lines running parallel to the barrel in homage to that historic “Stresemann” pattern. The piston knob and section are plated in gold in an attempt to further elevate the traditional look. The bottom of the piston knob features a laser engraving with the edition number (xxx/888) making each pen one of a kind. There is just a single cap band which is larger than usual and prominently features “40 Years” around its circumference. Etched into the gold plating of the cap top is the single chick Pelikan logo filled in with green enamel, a small touch which harkens back to the days when the plastic cap top was etched and filled in with green paint. The nib is also unique to this model. It is done in an 18C-750 gold that lacks any rhodium plating giving it a monotone appearance in keeping with the rest of the trim. The engraving features the Pelikan logo with the words “40 Years” above. Flanking the slit is an additional filigree which likewise features a Pelikan motif, one that is unique to this model. The nibs come in a medium width as is standard for their limited editions. The pen will be packaged in a unique gift box that includes a specially labeled bottle of 4001 Dark Green ink (a refreshing change from the usual Royal Blue). When you pull up on the handle of the box, the sides unfold, a neat gimmick befitting such a limited edition.
This one will not be ultra-limited like some of the Maki-e or Raden pieces but, at just 888 pens available worldwide, I can foresee these quickly becoming scarce. Why 888 you ask? Pelikan alludes to the fact that in Asian cultures, the number 8 is a symbol of prosperity. The infinity symbol, a horizontal eight, is a sign of perpetuity. Pelikan seems to be making a statement with this model that the brand is here to stay. Release is set for October 27th meaning availability will probably be sometime in November of this year. The company has placed an RRP of €1,900 (~$1,848.40) on this one. While US pricing remains to be seen, overseas retail pricing, excluding the VAT, is coming in around €1,595.04 (~$1,544.01), give or take a few hundred depending on the vendor. That is a hefty price but not out of line for past editions of this caliber. I would expect these to appreciate in value over time once they become scarce.
I think that this is a design that really needs to be seen in person in order to be appreciated. The computer-generated renders available thus far leave me a little wanting. I also think that the gold band in the center of the barrel is a little incongruous and off putting. I do like the design on the nib and really appreciate the green enamel found on the cap top. Those are just my first impressions, sight unseen, but a more thorough review is sure to follow once I have one of these in hand. I do not wish to be too judgmental up front. I guess my biggest gripe is that this is an M800 which rings a bit hollow for me. It was the M400 that launched the Souverän line in 1982, not the M800. The M800 didn’t come onto the scene for another 5 years, launching in 1987. It is the M400 that is forty years old this year. If we are truly celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Souverän line, I think the sentiment would have been more fitting if bestowed upon the model that kicked things off. Perhaps that’s an unpopular opinion and I’m sure sentiment will fall on both sides of the issue. Regardless of my quibbles with the design, I’m happy to see that Pelikan is celebrating their heritage and can only hope to see many more decades of fountain pen development to come. What do you think about this limited edition? Will this one be joining your flock? Let me know what you think of the design in the comments below.
Hmm, the gold embelishments don’t really do much for me. But that nib engraving does look pretty neat!
Yes, I think the nib is definitely done well.
Now I don’t buy new Pelikan pens, so my thoughts on a new release are irrelevant in a way, but I don’t like the gold bling either and the gold ring on the barrel is a real put down as I find it totally destroys the design.
Hi Joshua, thanks for your review. I like the barrel alone. But when I see the closed pen, it does ´ t looks harmonious. A smooth cap without cap band would be nicer. Since this is a limited pen, I think Pelikan would have chosen a special nib size, such as a 3B. And of course the price….
I think that if we haven’t seen 3B and O3B nibs make a comeback by now, even with special editions, I’m not sure that we are ever going to unfortunately. I also agree that the pen looks unbalanced when capped.
I like it, but won’t be getting one if it comes only with a medium nib.
Pretty standard for their special editions like this. All the Raden and Maki-e releases only have medium nibs as well. I guess that keeps it simple for them and cuts down on cost.
I’m not keen on the design of this pen at all.
I wish they would put out more tortoises in other colours and go back to translucent barrel.
Tortoises are always a nice addition but I think they have to be careful with that too. Too many tortoises and I think they lose some of their appeal by being too common.
I agree that they should go back to the translucent barrel.
I collect M800’s, but this one looks quite gaudy. Made for a different market than usually I feel.
I agree. This is not for the typical Pelikan fan but for those collectors out there. Designed and priced accordingly which is a shame. Past Jubilee pens were not like that.
I feel that if the cap is made of gold plated metal material , it will be more harmonious with the rest part . Just like the M625 .
I can see what you mean with that but that might have just been too over the top as well. They did make all of the other typically resin parts gold plated so it would have been fitting though.
What a beautiful design to commemorate an anniversary. As such, it should look very special and might not appeal as a pen for daily use but rather a collectors item. My 1992 M800 demonstrator is my favorite writing instrument, I have great respect for the Souveran line.
That M800 demo from the early 90s is really something special. Great pen all around, looks and performance.
Oh dear. I agree with your observations. In particular being positive, the painted pelikan on the cap and the nice pattern (merely stamped) on the nib are nice details. But there the positives end really. I agree that an M400 would be more befitting. The overall aesthetic may drawing on historical designs, but somehow manages to combine being a bit gaudy with not being either different or attractive enough to my eyes. And I can imagine that if an owner actually uses one of these rather than keeping it in a box then the gold plating would wear off quite easily. At the asking price there are so many more interesting options both from Pelikan and its peers.
Hard pass.
Thank you for the heads up as always, Joshua. Looking forwards to the coming Pelikan day meeting people in my country in November…
I would have concern about wear to the gold plating as well with regular use. This definitely looks like one that is to be admired more than used.
Appears a wee bit belt and braces (suspenders) over-adorned, when capped, to me. And the apparently opaque and now-uniform stripes sadden me. But the nib engraving and green-painted Pelikan+chick, I do like. Thanks, Josh, as always…
Joshua, I completely agree with your point about the anniversary. In fact, I thought I’d misread your article and went back to check whether M400 was really M800. I also agree with another comment made about the gaudiness: all that gold is surely not in keeping with Pelikan’s usual (restrained) aesthetic; and the presumed slipperiness of a metal section is a big disadvantage for me. I will concede, though, that the pen looks very attractive in the presentation box, nestling next to the bottle of ink.
Thank you Joshua for another job well-done. I agree with you tho. I can see how collectors would scoop this up in a heartbeat. And I know there are some that would chase one for the sole purpose of resale as new in a couple of years when they are no longer available (at a neat profit). But frankly for me, as much as I love my M800s, I’ll pass. I totally get the nod to history and all but to me the design looks underwhelming to me and is priced a bit on the high side. If they wanted to pay homage to their past I would have rather seen them base the designs on the old ads as was hinted about a few years ago… now that’s something I could get excited about! (and would pay a premium for)
I also went back and re-read as I thought surely this would be an M400. I don’t care at all for the design on this one, particularly that center ring. I do like the green filling on the Pelican and chick, and the nib design is lovely, but that’s about it. I would honestly have been more likely to at least consider it if it were an M400, but as is, it will be a hard pass for me.
Another good article, as always! Totally agree with you on the size, I thought it was an M400-sized pen when I heard it’s for the Souveran anniversary. The nib design as well as the attempts to recreate the old Souveran symbols are hugely appreciated.
How I wish this release would be a replica of the M400 in the 80s (translucent barrel, monotone fir tree nib and etc.) with additional anniversary texts ( PELIKAN – SOURVERAN 1982-2022 ) etched on the cap band. That would be perfect, but I think that day would be a dream for an old bird fan like me.
I really liked it until I saw it capped – it looks completely unbalanced with the cap on. Wondering how Pelikan could have made such a mistake!
We’ve been waiting for an LE M800/805 for a few years and this is what Pelikan delivers at this price? Metal section, weird center band and other design mistakes aside, why not give us a Black Tortoise or an Ocean Swirl M1005? This looks at a money grab more than a proper LE or collectors homage to a past design…
Same, have also been waiting for a 800/805 LE. I am very disappointed with this, other than the green lacquer added to the cap it is worse than the standard edition in every way.
I agree that this is not the M800/M805 LE that people have been waiting for and, after a significant drought, not at all refreshing. Still, I think there is still time for a proper special edition before year’s end.
From your lips to Pelikan’s ears! Thanks again for the awesome review!
Thank you for another great article. I really like this pen. It has a bit more bling than I would normally like, but it’s a collector pen. That said it would not be a daily use pen for me. My green M600 Souveran is my daily. While I like this pen, it’s a bit out of my current price range. I’ll just add it to my wish list.
> I’ll just add it to my wish list.
If you really like it, better buy it now. I am sure it will sell out quickly and the price after that might be much higher (just my guess).
Check the online sellers, some have already rebates. I saw it around 1500 Euro.
That is likely to be a very accurate prediction. From what I’ve heard from vendors, they are selling out of their allotted stock nearly as quick as they are getting pens assigned. Any pens down the line are likely to fetch a significant premium due to the scarcity of the model.
The M600 is a wonderful daily user. Really strikes a nice balance between size and performance. The price of this M800 is a whole other story.
I do not dislike the pen without the cap – I like gold. As already said, the cap doesn’t fit the design. Someone forgot to redesign the cap too???
Like Pilot with the pens for their 100th anniversary, Pelikan choose to party with the rich and doesn’t care about people with normal income.
I would have applauded if they had done a special edition with the same price as the normal pens. In addition to that, an LE would have been acceptable. But this way? No, Pelikan, rethink your strategy.
I wonder if embellishing the cap wouldn’t have been cost prohibitive given the current state of the world economy. Most of their special editions cater to those with more disposable income than most. I think a simple re-imagining of the M400 at a price point just a little more than the usual release would have been quite nice for an anniversary pen. It’s not to be it seems.
I wish it were simpler, have an ink view window, and be available once again in 3B and 3OB widths as well as Pelikan’s excellent even if very stublike IB Italic nibs which nib expert can make into a true Italic like Pelikan used to make.
I couldn’t agree more. That would be a true nod to its history. As is, it’s a rather odd-looking special model with fewer special elements than they’d like to let on. No transparency being a big one. And chopping the vertical strips in half with a horizontal band (the tiny vertical stripes on which do nothing to mitigate the effect) is really not a particularly inspired move. A Cummerbund of bling, and little else. To think one could have an M800 Raden for around that price… tsk. tsk. tsk.
I love how you phrased that, a “Cummerbund of bling.” Really evokes an image and one that feels very accurate.
Yes, sometimes it definitely feels as if they try too hard. I get it though. I’m sure that it is not easy to come up with ideas for special editions.
I share your view about the weird looking gloden ring in the middle of the body, although it looks better to me when the pen is open. Maybe, they choose the M800 instead of the better fitting M400 because nowadays larger pens seem to be the best for the limited edition pen market.
I agree that special editions do seem to gravitate towards the larger pens. I think that is a more financially motivated move than anything else but that is just me being cynical.
Totally agree with the comments about how long some of have been waiting for an M800 LE! I sure hope they have plans for a new one soon,.
And the suggestion for an M1000 in Ocean Swirl has my heart racing.
PS
Also agree about that gold center band – I just don’t get it.
I too would love to see a proper LE before year’s end. I haven’t heard even a grumbling about an M1000.
My true grail edition would be a Toledo desk set! 😁👍
Perhaps one day!
Thank you for keeping us up to date with the Pelikan news! Anecdotically, I just got a green Souverän M1000 the day this article come up, and was looking in awe at it, back and forth from the screen. At first, I think that the pen was a lot over the top with the ornaments, as the classic Pelikan design is so nice and well put together that it’s difficult to come up with any change to it. The nib is as awesome as expected, but I agree that, in such limited supply and with only the most wealthy and recalcitrant collectors in mind, the edition would better be a M400 size, maybe with a Toledan overlay. They’ve done it before, but one can never get enough Pelikan Toledos.
You’re welcome. I agree that changing a classic must be a daunting task without straying too far from what makes it a classic in the first place.
Recently I bought two Souverän M400 and M800 and they disappointed me so much in my writing that I have no interests in Pelikan.
Build quality is still good but the nibs are not made well and it does not play together with paper.
I hope Pelikan will address this on their new models and current models as well sooner than later.
Have to say that these comments about the Pelikan nibs surprise me. I’ve never used an M400, but I’ve had nothing but good experiences with the M800.
And can you say a little more about ‘not playing well with paper”?
I’m sorry that you got a couple of bum nibs. I have a large sample size of Pelikans and, by and large, my luck with their nibs has been fairly good. No quality control is infallible and this very same statement could be made of just about any pen manufacturer out there unfortunately. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I know my experience was very limited but I even bought an extra Nib again for my M800 to make my purchase unregretful.
But the third Nib was also not any better.
I always uses Extra Fine Nib and I know they are not same in thickness depending on the brand and country.
But Pelikan is the one that disappointed me the most. There are lots of cheaper ones have excellent EF nibs.
It’s a real pity that the beautifully made body has low quality nibs.(they looks pretty though)
Rough luck for sure. Thanks for sharing your experience. I have nothing to add other than to suggest that, if you are interested in another Pelikan in the future, perhaps inquire of the vendor if they can test the nib before shipping to help reduce the risk of disappointment once again.
Sad to say, I am in total agreement with almost everything said about this pen…the best part of the pen is the nib…changing the cap crown to a painted nut, sophomoric. My money will go to a new Toledo.
I agree. This is not the anniversary pen that we were hoping for.
Would like to see a Pelican calligraphy pen.
They tried something along those lines in the past with the Pelikan Souverän M800 Italic.
most comments I heard also elsewhere about the design are on the verge of negative in most cases. I fear the need to add embellishment went a bit overboard and put aside tradition, which is not very German.
I wonder who had the last word on the design…
It will likely be a collector’s item rather than an Pelikan aficionado item, still I don’t doubt it will sell quickly.
Thanks as always for the informative article.
Sadly, I think your comments are accurate and a good reflection of how this one is being received.
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My first Pelikan purchase was an M400 from Lincoln Stationers in NYC 40 years ago.
Number 284 just joined my collection, and will be a user for me. Beautiful detail and finish, and like the Toledo, it does well with the extra weight.
Quite the Pelikan journey over 40 years. Congrats!
I have finally seen it in person. A very nice pen, very light and well balanced. I feel very neutral about the central band, it works lookwrise when the pen is uncapped (not so much when capped) . The biggest issue I have with this pen is MRSP. The pen just does not offer enough (for me) to justify this price tag. Two things to keep in mind if you’re considering this pens: 1. The barrel threads are metal and the cap threads are plastic. This might wear off the cap threads much sooner. 2. The pen I looked at had a baby’s bottom on the nib (expected from Pelikan)
Thank you for your thoughts. It is sadly becoming common to hear of Pelikan nibs issues…
One thing I wanted to add is that the “striped” material on the barrel is stunning. It’s not a regular Pelikan green stripe. It has a different, richer shade and glow to it. Loved it.
Interesting. Can’t wait to see it myself then.
I appreciate your first hand input. I’m still waiting to see one myself. I can’t wait to form my own impressions of this one.