Now we’re talking! That’s the first thing that leapt into my mind when news broke last evening of the next release due out from Pelikan. You might recall a story featured on this blog in August 2021 that detailed Pelikan floating the notion of a series of pens whose designs were derived from one of the company’s many historic posters. That back catalog is deep and, in addition to being vehicles for advertising, many of Pelikan’s historic posters were works of art, created by some of the early twentieth century’s notable artistic talent. Three different prototypes were previewed in 2021 and a survey asked respondents to vote for their favorite. Aside from a few unsubstantiated rumors, little has surfaced since, leading many to believe that the concept had withered and died on the vine. With Pelikan having a lot on its plate already, there was little optimism that we’d see the concept brought to life anytime soon, until yesterday that is. The company surprised us with the rather unexpected news of the new Souverän M600 Art Collection – Glauco Cambon Special Edition. Not only is this a concept and design that’s a bit unique amongst Pelikan’s pantheon of pens, the actual construction of this M600 takes a twist all its own. As if that weren’t enough already, this is just the first in a projected series of special edition fountain pens that Pelikan has planned. Hannover must be listening because this is just the direction that they’ve needed to go in order to breathe some life back into the brand. Read on to learn all of the exciting details about this upcoming release.
Glauco Cambon (1875-1930) was an Italian painter and graphic artist who became interested in advertising posters in the early 1900s. His paintings, “Portrait of Attilio Hortis“ and “Music,“ brought him fame. He lent his talents to a wide range of artistic endeavors including portraiture, caricatures, decorations, and artistic billboards. Glauco Cambon, at the age of 22, submitted the design that inspired this new pen for the Pelikan poster competition “Competition for Art Painters and Architects“ in 1909. Cambon’s design was awarded a prize and was purchased by Pelikan. Glauco Cambon would pass away many years later on March 7, 1930, in Biella, Italy.
“The exhibits of the advertising posters represent the treasury of the Pelikan Art Collection. It is time to share this historical treasure from the Pelikan Archive with the world: Pelikan’s unique Special Edition pays homage to the poster art of great painters and graphic designers of the avant-garde. Through the newly interpreted motif on the fountain pen, a piece of Pelikan’s history becomes a work of art itself.”
The inspiration for the barrel’s design are the reflections in the water made by the colorful pelicans that Cambon painted. The product literature indicates a whole new process was utilized in the creation of this M600, dubbed the “Aurora” process. Most notable is that the pen’s barrel is actually made from brass which is not the case on the standard M6xx models. That brass barrel is first engraved and guilloched, resulting in fine grooves that are said to lend an almost holographic effect. Next, ten layers of lacquer are applied and subsequently polished. Finally, the barrel is printed with the image after which a final polishing renders a high gloss shine. The barrel is flanked by black resin components and the trim is plated in 24 carat gold. Each pen is equipped with a 14C-585 gold nib of your choosing in the standard widths of EF, F, M, and B. To further set this one apart, the pen will be released in a special, themed packaging that will prominently feature Glauco Cambon’s artwork. What I don’t see in the pre-production photos is an ink view which may disappoint some but that also means the design is unbroken, something I can live with in this instance. The dimensions of this new M600 appear to be pretty consistent with the standard model, despite the new Aurora process. The only area that I see significant variability is in the weight. With the brass barrel construction, the Art Collection M600 is projected to weigh 2.4g more than its standard cousin, a small but noticeable difference which will likely appeal to those that like a heftier pen.
| Standard M600 | Art Collection M600 | |
|---|---|---|
| Closed Length | 5.2″ | 5.2″ |
| Posted Length | 6″ | 6″ |
| Barrel Length | 4.1″ | 4.1″ |
| Barrel Diameter | 0.5″ | 0.5″ |
| Section Diameter | 0.4″ | 0.4″ |
| Ink Capacity | 1.3ml | 1.2 ml |
| Filling System | Piston | Piston |
| Cap Type | Threaded | Threaded |
| Pen Weight | 15.8 g | 18.2 g |
As far as pricing, it looks like this one will come with a US MSRP of $790 meaning that you can expect to pay $632 at the register. Shopping overseas will be cheaper with retail prices likely to range from around $480 to $565 depending on the vendor. For such a beautiful pen incorporating a new design process with a unique concept, we could have certainly expected worse. The release date for this one is anticipated to be in October, so it won’t be available until after this year’s Hubs event.
The concept behind this one is brilliant. The fact that the M600 was chosen as the vehicle for this collection strikes me as a nice compromise. It’s not so large that it might turn off those that prefer smaller pens and the brass construction means that it will have some added heft which will likely appeal to those who like a larger pen. The new Aurora process sounds interesting. How well it translates in real life, only time will tell. The lack of an ink view may be a negative for some, but I actually approve of the choice to not take valuable real estate away from the design. The only thing that I might have wished for, based on what I’ve seen thus far, would have been the addition of a special nib, perhaps an italic, something as artistic and expressive as the pen itself. This one is likely to be a strong first entry into what has the potential to be the heir to the “City” series, a void gone unfilled for far too long. If you haven’t been able to tell thus far, I’m excited. What are your thoughts on the concept as a whole, the execution thus far, and this pen in particular? Please share your views in the comments section below.
uhh…uhhh…I can’t breathe!
Right? Came out of nowhere, in a good way.
This is definitely some great news to wake up to! The new manufacturing process sounds interesting, can’t wait to see how the pen feels in hand. Also, both the colours and the design of the artwork really work for me. 2023 seems to be shaping up to be a very good year for growing the flock, what with the M200 pastel blue (already have the first 2), the Rose Quartz Pen of the Year (already have the first 8) and now this newly introduced M600….YEAH, I’m one happy fan! Thanks for the article, Joshua….Your work is always appreciated. All the best – Rocco
It feels nice. Certainly not heavy. Had a rare chance to preview a prototype today. You really can’t capture it in pictures but there is definitely a “holographic” feel to the design.
The concept of a line inspired by Pelikan poster art is genius. This initial example is stunning and hopefully bodes well for the future. Let’s hope Hamelin concurs and commits. I agree that the ink window vs barrel design compromise is acceptable in this instance. Also, custom nib grinds and tuning have become more common and readily available, particularly with regard to higher end pens.
They have such a great back catalog of posters that were awesome. I can see good things down the road if they really commit to the concept.
wow wow wow! this one is fire! the colour combo and the new process with the brass body. i already ordered one at my dealer
Congrats! Nice to see them doing something a little different. If this risks pays off, hopefully we’ll see them do more.
That’s a gorgeous pen. I may not be able to afford it, but I agree that it’s a refreshing new design that brings some excitement to the brand.
Much needed excitement I might add. Things were starting to feel a bit stale.
Wow! Just wow.
A brilliant concept for sure. I just wonder what took them so long to bring it to life.
“Blindsided” says it all.
After 2 years without a word about this and then to just have it dropped on us out of the blue was really something. Maybe they were saving it for the 185th anniversary.
This is the first Pelikan to interest me in quite some time. Thanks for the heads up!
You’re most welcome. I love that its something fresh yet familiar.
This looks like a winner to me.
Hopefully just the first of many to follow.
Oh yeah….. and to think there may likely be others to follow?!? This one is going to hurt (the wallet). Like you, I thought this concept had withered and died…. so excited to see this.
The City Series ran for 6 years and included 12 pens. Would love to see them do something similar here.
Josh, do you recall how long each of the City designs lasted before they were sold out? The FOMO on this one is strong…
I’m afraid that I don’t know. I wasn’t into pens back then and had to play catch up with the City Series many years after the fact. Based on what I’ve seen of the pre-release popularity of this one, I’m not sure that I would sit on the sidelines too long.
I bit the bullet and placed my order…. this thing is a beauty and I do not want to let it slip away. 🙂
I would expect that, even if it’s not to your liking, that it may well hold onto its value.
Great news! Although not for my bank account. 🙁
Going to have to start saving up if they intend this to be a series and the other releases are as well executed as this one.
Love this!
What an unexpected surprise.
I still wish that Pelikan would return to bringing out M800s in new designs like this (and I said the same thing about the Red and Black tortoiseshell M600s!)
But that’s another topic.
I’ll definitely get this pen.
Seems like every time they bring out a new model, there are people that wish it was a different size. Perhaps if demand is great enough, we might see them pull a similar trick with a different model. That could make things really interesting.
At the DC Pen Show today, where I saw the new M600, I asked the Pelikan rep if there are equally interesting M800s in the pipeline. I was not overly encouraged when he replied that he had seen the 3-year plan and that there were some ‘mildly interesting’ (my words) designs in the future.
I also saw the M600 today. Can’t tell you how rare it was to have that pre-release prototype here in the USA. Very unusual move. I have heard mixed things as far as the pipeline goes but Pelikan has really been keeping things quiet so its hard to know just what the future holds. I’m not expecting anything radical. We’ll just have to wait and see I guess.
This is great news, as Pelikan have been very disappointing recently. Although I expect it will be expensive, I am starting to put money aside to indulge this October.
This is a good step in the right direction at alleviating that disappointment. I’ve heard a lot of wallets opening that have been shut to Pelikan for a while now.
Now this is a stunner for sure! Take my $$!!
I hope they can keep up with demand for this one, lol.
I love it! Thanks for sharing. Great article, as usual.
You’re most welcome. My pleasure.
What a beautiful pen! And what an interesting concept for how to produce the pen! I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing more–and likely to holding one in my own hand!
It feels nice in the hand. The colors are impossible to photograph but they really do have a holographic appearance due to the new Aurora method. I’m really curious to know how they came up with that.
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Thanks for the write up Josh. Just pre-ordered one with a Broad nib and am looking forward to seeing it in the flesh.
I had a sneak peek today and I think it holds up. The material has a holographic effect that pictures just can’t capture. Hard to explain.
Just pre-ordered mine with an EF nib.
Just saw a prototype of this pen at the DC Pen show – it’s a stunner!
Same and totally agree.
Was it the Pelikan rep there who had it? I know he will be at the sidewalk sale that Atlas Stationers is holding in Chicago in a couple of weeks, so it would awesome if he brought it with him.
He was actually the national sales rep for Chartpak and I wouldn’t count on it. I know that pen was on a short leash and was due back in Germany posthaste.
Nice! I went with an M nib in case I want to have something done with it at some point.
I just ordered with a B nib from my favorite dealer, also with the idea that I will eventually have the nib whittled down to something a little more interesting than the standard ball-tip (and being an M6xx fan anyway, I have some other nibs in my stable I can swap out for a different writing style).
It has been ages since I was this excited about a new model from Pelikan! Certainly a breath of fresh air.
Definitely nice to feel that old excitement again. Hope this is the beginning of even better things to come.
I’ve ordered mine; it looks stunning, a must have. Ordered the pink M205 as well, while I’m getting free P&P. There goes the pen budget for the rest of the year!
In this case, seems worth it. Congrats on the new pens.
That is stunning!
I have been admiring metal pens, which make use of guilloché and lacquer, for a while, and what Pelikan looks to be doing appears quite unique—and stunning.
Alas, it would not be prudent for me to purchase this one, so I’ll have to pass. At least I can enjoy my green (with transparent stripes), black and gold M800, which I purchased last year.
I applaud your restraint, something that I should exercise more of. Who knows… I have found that missed and passed over opportunities can lead to other doors opening in the future, leading you to something even better.
Thanks for the review, Joshua. I am intrigued by the new “Aurora” process and this pen’s look. I have been a big fan of the City and Famous Places pens, and although I have continued to collect new M6xx and M80x releases selectively, none have excited me as much as this new (prospective) artist series. Regarding size preference: I most enjoy writing with the larger M80x pens, but the M6xx pens are more likely to get carried in a shirt pocket. I hope there will be prototypes to see and feel at the San Francisco Pen Show.
I doubt that prototypes will be available. It was a very special thing to have one in D.C. and it had to be back in Germany right after the show so far as I understand it. We probably won’t see this one in the flesh again, so to speak, until October.
I have been off the grid for a couple of weeks, but this is a nice piece of news to return to. I am “in” on this one, especially as the M600 hits my sweet spot anyway. Interesting concept, and an attractive pen.
A very different and welcome direction for the company to go in while still retaining much of the familiar.
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Asked my store to reserve one for me with EF nib. I usually prefer to see a pen live before committing to buy, but this one seems very special.
I was able to see it live in D.C. and it is definitely something that we have not seen before.
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What are reputable online sources for ordering from overseas into the US? The only one I used to know, La Couronne du Comte, is now defunct. While I am in Europe now, for a week, the places I could find some Pelikans at did not carry this edition.
There are many overseas vendors that are reliable Fritz Schimpf and Appelboom are two that I commonly use but there are many others and that list is certainly not all inclusive.
Thanks! I found a few other references.
I saw the pen in Paris yesterday as I was traveling. The effect under store lights was wild. Like the pen was lit and glowing from inside.
A beautiful pen. Sadly the M600 size means that the abrupt transition from piston knob to barrel bugs me (like an itch I have to scratch), and I don’t like posting. The pen is very interesting, and different from anything else which I think is a great way to start a new collection.
Beautiful indeed. The effect of the barrel is something very unique and I think will set this one apart from all of the rest.