Pelikan fountain pens
Pelikan is one of the best known manufacturers of fountain pens and deservedly so. Their long history of innovation in the world of pens has resulted in a vast number of models. So what is so great about Pelikan and what model should you go for?
All Pelikan fountain pens share the same high standard. They are made using the best materials, great nibs and their own patented piston mechanism, which works exceptionally smooth. No wonder this brand from Germany has become synonymous with quality.
You can choose your new pen from the large collection in our store, or read on below if you’d rather find out more about the various models and their different properties.
Pelikan, pure quality inside and out
Pelikan has been around since 1838, when chemist Carl Hornemann founded a company specialized in colors and inks in Hanover, Germany. However, it wasn’t until 1929 that the company produced its first pen, the transparent Pelikan fountain pen.
This model was the first ever to use a revolutionary filling system that would forever change the world of pens: the piston filling system. This mechanism was specifically designed to prevent blotting, by using a differential spindle gear. The Pelikan pens were also able to hold a lot more ink and were much easier to fill than the safety fountain pens and the self-filling fountain pens that were popular in that era.
The new system paved the way for the company’s success in the next decades. After a drop in the popularity of fountain pens, Pelikan introduced its first Souverän model, the M400 Black-Green. This coincided with a revival for the fountain pen and was the precursor to many more iconic models.
Pelikan fountain pen models
We have a large number of Pelikan fountain pens available. We’ll introduce the various models here, and you can compare your favorites on our website. If you’re still unsure, feel free to contact us. We are more than happy to offer professional advice about our products.
Souverän line
The Pelikan Souverän pens are the company’s flagship line. They are equipped with gold nibs: 14kt gold for the medium sized M400 and M600 and 18kt gold for the larger M800 and M1000. Pelikan pens have a stylish beak-shaped clip and a high-quality resin body. A convenient ink window is added to show how much ink is left in the barrel. The pens have exclusive gold plated details (serial numbers ending in -00) or palladium plated details (serial numbers ending in -05).
The Souverän pens are available in many colours. From classy solid and marbled bodies to fashionable transparent demonstrator models and pens covered in exclusive Japanese lacquer work. The most iconic Pelikan pens however, have a striped body and a solid cap. The most famous among these is the green-striped pen with the black cap and the golden details, but the stripes also come in blue and red, as well as limited editions in bolder colour combinations.
Souverän pens are numbered as an indication of their size, which comes in handy when choosing a pen. The M400 for example is ideal for smaller hands, whereas the M600 is average-sized and the M800 and especially the M1000 are considerably larger. The following Souverän models are currently available:
Classic line
As you might expect from its name, the Pelikan Classic models come with a classical, timeless design. The Classic has a high-quality resin body, stylish ring and a stainless steel nib. The Pelikan logo features on the cap, as does the characteristic beak-shaped clip.
The Classic line is smaller than most of the pens in the Souverän line. The Classic is the only Pelikan pen that is available with either a piston filling mechanism (name starting with M) or a cartridge filler system (name starting with P). Like the Souverän pens, Classic pens are available with gold details (serial numbers ending in -00) or silver details (serial numbers ending in -05).
- Classic M150
- Classic M200
- Classic M205
- Classic P200
- Classic P205
Toledo line
Pelikan’s Toledo pens are something special. The barrel is covered with a sheet of sterling silver, that has been engraved with a Pelikan-motif. The silver is then covered with a layer of gold or palladium, for a gold or silver coloured finish that does not tarnish. For the avid Pelikan collector – or lovers of beautiful and highly collectible pens in general – the Toledo is a must-have.
The Pelikan Toledo is available in two sizes. The Toledo M700 is roughly the same size as the Classic M200 and the Souverän M400, whereas the Toledo M900 is only slightly smaller than the large Souverän M800.
Pura line
The Pelikan Pura brings an entirely different look and feel to the table: a clean and modern look with a sleek aluminum body and bold colors. Other than the other Pelikan fountain pens, the Pura P40 is only available with a cartridge filling system. It has a comfortable size, equivalent to the Souverän M600, but it is quite a bit heavier, which should be taken into account before buying.
Nibs on Pelikan fountain pens
Pelikan nibs offer a high-quality writing experience and are easily interchangeable. They are available in the size Extra Fine, Fine, Medium and Broad, with the exception of the Pura, which lacks an Extra Fine option.
The Pelikan nib section can (carefully!) be screwed out of the barrel. This makes it easy to swap to a different sized nib and also to clean the pen thoroughly.
How to fill a Pelikan fountain pen
All Pelikan fountain pens (except the Pura models and the P versions of the Classic series) use the patented piston filling mechanism. Simply turn the piston knob, which is on the end of the pen, to open the chamber. Then dip the nib in a bottle of Pelikan ink and turn the knob back to fill the pen with ink. Let it drip and wipe any remaining ink off the nib and the pen is ready to be used again.
Start or expand your Pelikan collection at Appelboom
Pelikan pens have a quality that is commonly acknowledged and loved by pen lovers. Start your discovery of fountain pens with a solid Classic model or add some extra luxury to your collection with a Souverän or Toledo.
At Appelboom, you can expect our level of service to match the quality of our pens. We offer expert advice and ship each package in special gift wrapping.
Shipping is free in Europe and the United States for orders above € 100 and for international orders above € 200. Delivery times depend on the specific pen and stock status, but we always aim to deliver as soon as possible.
Browse our shop to find your new Pelikan pen, or visit our stores in the Netherlands or in the United States.