There are many reasons, some subjective and others objective, as to why Pelikan pens are as popular and lasting as they are. Undoubtedly, one feature that clearly endears them to novices and enthusiasts alike is the fact that the nibs are interchangeable and, by and large, have been so since the inception of the model 100. The nib is the business end of the pen and if it is not performing as expected or becomes damaged, even the most beautiful fountain pen in the world is rendered useless. I previously discussed these nibs and their ability to be easily exchanged (amongst other attributes) in my post, The Evolution of the Collar, Feed, & Nib. What’s more, not only are the nibs interchangeable but that this can be accomplished by the end-user and does not require a sometimes lengthy trip back to the manufacturer or a certified dealer, certainly a boon to the user. These facts combine to allow one pen to take on a significant amount of character as Pelikan’s catalogue of nibs over the years has contained a wide variety of expressive options, not to mention the variety of custom grinds available from third parties today. Even if you only own one nib, the ability to change nibs can come in quite handy in the event of accidental damage (why is it that all uncapped pens insist on landing nib side down?). I could continue to expound on the virtues of the interchangeable nib but that is not our purpose today. Today, I want to review for you exactly how to safely remove and replace a nib because this can be an area of confusion for many and some forethought should be employed prior to attempting. Rest assured, however, that this is a safe procedure which can be carried out without much difficulty or skill.
Special Edition Spotlight
A subtle distinction exist between limited and special edition pens. Pelikan has manufactured many limited edition pieces which are characterized by production in a defined run of finite number. In contrast, special edition pens are often produced in an unlimited number but only for a limited period of time. Since the mid-1990’s, Pelikan has released many limited edition pens. These are often targeted at a specific consumer group with sufficient purchasing power as the price of these models usually comes at a premium. Since these pens are only available in a known limited quantity (with individual pieces often numbered), the company builds in an incentive to buy. Examples would include; The Pyramids of Giza, The Hanging Gardens, The 1000 Years of Austria, Golden Phoenix, The Originals of Their Time series, Hunting, Golf, and Wall Street just to name a few. These are pens designed to commemorate certain events in history, places, historic pen models, or activities. There is also a subset of special edition pens produced in a limited quantity which are made at the request of a specific consumer or for a particular region. This practice within the company dates back to before World War II with the production of the Emege pens and has continued since that time. This has resulted in several variations based off of mainstream model lines that were produced only in small runs for a specific customer though were not themselves numbered. Six of those pens from the modern era will be detailed in this post.
How-To: Tighten a Loose Piston Knob
Left: Pelikan M200 Cognac Demonstrator, Right: Pelikan M200 Amber Demonstrator
From time to time, I plan to focus on simple ‘How-To’ pieces that address fixes and/or maintenance that can be undertaken by the pen enthusiast at home. Since I am not a pen repair professional, the advice that I convey should not be construed as coming from such and professional help should be sought for more advanced issues. I will focus on issues that arise from regular use which can be repaired with a certain degree of ease resulting in a high likelihood of success. My first such post was about lubricating the piston, perhaps the single most important maintenance a Pelikan piston filler would ever require. While thinking about this post, I recalled one question that I see asked fairly often and it has to do with a loose piston knob. While not necessarily affecting the function of the pen, it can be very disconcerting to an enthusiast who wants their pen to function according to factory specifications. This is a problem that can develop on some models, especially lower tier ones, owing to the fact that they more commonly have a friction fitted or snap fitted piston assembly. The normal behavior of the piston knob should be for it to sit securely against the barrel and not have any travel or play when the piston is in it’s fully retracted position. Please note that I am not discussing the normal 1/8th of a turn delay in piston engagement which is actually quite normal. What can happen though is that travel or play develops in the piston knob, even when the piston assembly is in the retracted position, keeping the knob from seating itself securely against the barrel.
Review: A Trio of M101N’s
The M101N Tortoiseshell Red was recently released in September of 2014 and I wanted to mark the occasion by reviewing all three of the pens available in the series. The M101N is the modern version of a line of pens that Pelikan first introduced in the 1930’s. There were several variations released in that series, all of which command top dollar in today’s market due to their desirability amongst collectors. Included in the original series were pens such as the highly sought after Lizard and the Tortoiseshell Red. This new series pays homage to that lineage with an updated design while still retaining the original’s dimensions. The first pen released in the series was the Tortoiseshell Brown followed by the Lizard and then the Tortoiseshell Red.
Fountain Pen Day – November 7th
While this site is dedicated to the Pelikan brand of fountain pens, I feel it reasonable to promote any cause that advances fountain pen awareness and the joys of handwriting. For those of you who are unfamiliar, Fountain Pen Day occurs on the first Friday of every November. This year, the event will fall on Friday, November 7th and will mark the third year that this day is observed around the globe. According to the official site, the goal of the day is to, “embrace, promote, and share the use of fountain pens in day-to-day life, as well to help revive handwriting as a whole.” There are a reported 61 vendors signed up this year who have pledged to support the day, many of whom will provide special deals/discounts. When that day rolls around just 10 days from now, take a moment to write a letter, handwrite your posts to social media, or pass along the joys of writing to someone else. Most importantly, take the day to unplug and express yourself with pen and paper instead of the all too pervasive ones and zeros. For more information, check out the official web page, FountainPenDay.org
The Nib-on-a-Chain Explained
I have long been perplexed by the existence of various Pelikan ballpoints and fountain pens that feature a cap with a nib on a chain rather than a clip. The extra nib hangs off of the cap, almost like a charm would. That is not an entirely foreign concept as Pelikan tried something similar with their ‘Happy Pen’ in the 1970’s. This variation of the tradition series is not well documented, however, in any of the materials that I have ever found. No mention of it is made in either edition of Pelikan Schreibgeräte. It certainly seems to be an odd choice of design and not very practical. After much fruitless searching, I inquired from the most knowledgeable source that I know, Jürgen Dittmer of the Pelikan archives. What I learned was also corroborated by information from Regina Martini, a well-known Pelikan retailer.
Pelikan Maki-e Unique Collection Auction 2014
In 2012, Pelikan hosted a special auction in which 11 pens done in the Maki-e style were sold. These were unique pieces, never to be reproduced. The final sale prices ranged anywhere from $4400 to $19,000 plus. While these prices are out of the price range for most of us, it is still fun to look at these beautiful pieces (and perhaps dream of hitting the lottery). Two years later, Pelikan is again hosting a special auction, this time with 17 pieces up for sale, again done in the Maki-e style by renowned artist from Japan.
According to Pelikan, these pens will be available for purchase in successive auctions held at one-week intervals during November. For those that don’t know, “Maki-e is a complex Japanese lacquer painting technique, which requires a great deal of patience and skill. The artist applies lacquer as well as gold and silver particles in multiple layers, which are repeatedly polished, giving a 3D effect. Only a few artists in the world have mastered the technique of Maki-e painting; it takes years to learn.”
Review: “Pelikan Schreibgeräte 1929-2004” Book
Pelikan Schreibgeräte 1929 – 2004
by Jürgen Dittmer & Martin Lehmann
A.H.F. Dunkmann GmbH & Co. KG, 2004, 188 pages (ASIN B004G8HQY0)
Pelikan Schreibgeräte is a book that was last printed 10 years ago. It is very hard to find in today’s market and when a copy is found for sale, it often commands prices upwards of $250+ dollars. Why then review it now? While many people save and search for their grail pen (a dream pen that often borders on unobtainable), my grail has always been Schreibgeräte. Don’t get me wrong, as far as pens go, a Pelikan Toledo would be my grail but, believe it or not, the Toledo is likely more obtainable than this now long out of print book.
The book detailed here is the second and last edition to be printed, covering pens from 1929-2004. The first edition was published in 1997 and covered pens produced from 1929-1997. Both editions were authored by Jürgen Dittmer and Martin Lehmann. Schreibgeräte is the German word for ‘writing instruments’ and anyone serious about collecting Pelikan writing instruments, especially those prized vintage models, should seriously consider finding a copy of this book. It would not be an exaggeration to describe it as an indispensable resource.
In the interval since the first printing, Dittmer and Lehmann undertook to provide more extensive information on the different models as well as include more pictures of the various pens described. The book itself is a survey of models from 1929 to 2o04 and, while not an encyclopedic catalogue, it often gives information on special and limited editions that is not readily available elsewhere. Not only are Pelikan’s writing instruments detailed but so is a thorough history of the company. All of this was made possible by having unlimited access to the Pelikan archives in Hannover as well as through the help of many Pelikan collectors who are well-known across the globe.