The year started quietly, with Pelikan saving most of their major releases for the fall season. After only recently learning about the M800 Cream Blue and the M910 White Toledo, news has emerged about a third model: the Pelikan Souverän M1000 Raden Black Infinity Limited Edition. This pen follows last year’s Raden Red Infinity, featuring a similar design but in a different color. In the past decade, oversized Raden models have included the Starlight (2014), Sunrise (2016), Green Ray (2020), White Ray (2021), and Red Infinity (2023). Known for their shimmering abalone shell decorations, each pen is crafted and signed by hand. Only 400 pieces will be available worldwide for an October release. Keep reading to learn more about this latest Raden model.
The Raden Black Infinity uses the same techniques employed by its predecessor. Pelikan’s promotional materials explain that the pen is constructed in Germany but decorated in Japan. That process begins with painting the pen black using urushi lacquer. Then, green abalone shells are cut into rectangular shapes by hand and attached to the cap and barrel with lacquer. Several coats of lacquer are applied, each needing to dry before the next goes on, and a fine sterling-silver powder is added for sparkle. In between each coat, the lacquered surface is polished multiple times before it becomes a finished product. As part of the finishing touches, the artist signs and numbers each fountain pen by hand using a Maki-e technique.
As the successor to the M1000 Raden Red Infinity, the Infinity motif showcases a continuous chessboard pattern. Pelikan states that this design symbolizes long-lasting family happiness, prosperity, positive growth, and professional success. The Raden Black Infinity is an oversized model built on the M1000 chassis and features a dark green ink view window behind the black resin section. It includes traditional gold-plated elements like a beak clip, trim rings at the piston knob, two separate cap bands, and a trim ring at the section, all reflecting the classic Souverän style since the late 1990s. The Black Infinity comes with a bi-color 18C-750 gold nib in medium width and will be packaged in a traditional Paulownia wood gift box.
These pens are not for everyone, as only 400 will be available worldwide. The high price owes to Pelikan’s flagship Souverän fountain pen being combined with exquisite Japanese craftsmanship, and an ultra-limited production run. It will stand as the costliest Pelikan announced this year. The US MSRP will be $3,400, similar to that of last year’s model, putting this one beyond the reach of most people. Exact regional pricing is as of yet unclear as we await more info from vendors.
The M1000 Raden Black Infinity takes the design of the Red Infinity and changes it to black. Although I initially found the Red Infinity unimpressive, it became one of my favorite Raden finishes. While neither model compares to the Green Ray from 2020, I believe collectors will appreciate this limited edition which is sure to quickly become scarce. What are your thoughts on the Black Infinity? Do you think it’s a good look for Pelikan, or does it seem unoriginal? Share your views in the comments below.
MSRP is $3,400.
Thanks for the heads up!
Unbelievable beauty. Pelikan has come up with three fabulous pens in a row!
I cannot disagree with that assessment.
They seem to be on a roll.
Be still my beating heart!
I can barely stand my excitement over a new M800, Toledo AND M1000 Raden!
(I’m not including the new gray M600, only because that one doesn’t do anything for me.)
Interestingly, I just bought the Red Infinity Raden from a consignment collection, and I’m very pleased with it; but my gosh, this new one is even more of a stunner. How can I justify getting this one, too?!? 😏
I just got the Red Infinity from a shop in Belgium that still had it, and the very same day I get the news about this new one… I am dealing with the same issues Wheeler! It helps to see that I am not alone!
I often find this to be the case. As soon as you pull the trigger on something, something else comes along to grab your attention. I have missed out on a lot because of that but have also learned that things seem to find their way back around too if your patient enough.
Just one more… that usually works for me. Sure I’m lying to myself but that’s a problem for future me.
Funny, I wasn’t sure I liked the Red Infinity when it first came out either, but I came around, especially given the price the collector was asking.
It’s a look that definitely grown on you with time.
This pen’s pearlescent black endows it with welcome gravity, less evident in the lately linen-white themed pens.
Agreed. White is fine in certain designs but the black here really does add some gravitas.
What can I say? It’s one of the most gorgeous Pelikans I’ve ever seen. Oh, to be rich…..
Sadly, this one is not meant for the masses and it is a shame that these are so uber exclusive but that is the nature of the work. I take solace in the fact that some of the older Toledos can still be had for under $1000 and that is at least a chance to own some of Pelikan’s greatest work.
It looks very much like the Green Ray, and for those who’ve missed the Green Ray when it launched just around the start of the pandemic will certainly appreciate this release.
I did not get the red Infinity, and I will give this year’s Raden release a miss – but I am certainly looking forward to next year’s Makie-e and Raden releases. Hopefully it won’t be a “White Infinity”!
The Green Ray stands as one to judge all others by for me. While this doesn’t match that one, in my opinion, it is a great addition. I think the abalone would be too drowned out in a white resin model so doubt that we’d see that for a Raden. Now a white Maki-e could be interesting.
I have bought 6 Pelikans in the past 12 months and they come out with this slew of releases! Had I only known…This Raden is a stunner!
Sounds like you’re on a good clip. These have a way of multiplying before you even know it. I treat my first like Scrooge McDuck’s lucky #1 dime as the fortune grows exponentially from just that one.
The M1000 models are a bit too big for my taste, but I can handle them and write with them just fine. The beauty of this model is subjective, but IMHO when one compares the latest Pelikan editions (this Raden, M910, M670…) with Montblanc’s garish 100th Anniversary models (or abonimations, if you will), MBs pale in comparison; Pelikan did a much nicer job. This Raden edition, however, quite beautiful as it is, is not for me. But I’m sure there will be plenty of others who think otherwise. Bella penna…
In comparing Pelikan with Montblanc, I would agree that Pelikan’s offering are, at least in my opinion, more appealing. Still, I think there is room to do more and I hope they explore that space.
I don’t think anything will top my old Sunlight /Moonlight combo in the Radens. Pelikan will entice me more if they bring back the wider ranges of Obliques and 3B nibs. High time.
I would love to find a Moonlight one day that is affordable but no dice so far. I missed out on that one.