The Pelikan Fountain pen is one of the most classical, recognisable fountain pens in the world. I personally collect Pelikan fountain pens and am a huge fan for their functionality, attractive appearance, quality and nibs.


Our site will, hopefully, help you in your choice of Pelikan fountain pen and give you a better idea of just why they are so popular and long lasting.

The Pelikan fountain pen has a long distinguished history which started in 1838 near Hanover in Germany. The Pelikan brand was registered in 1879 and is one of the oldest brands in the world.

The first Pelikan fountain pen came about when the company purchased the patent for the piston mechanism which came to be such a vital feature of it’s success. The piston mechanism allowed the clean filling of the pen. This success has led to an enormous range of Pelikan fountain pens in the succeeding years including special and limited editions of it’s most distinctive and popular models such as the Pelikan Souvran.

The Pelikan Fountain Pen Nib

One of the critical factors in the success of Pelikan fountain pens is the nib. The Pelikan fountain pen nibs are made from 14 or 18 carat gold and involve approximately 10 different steps to complete.

The tip of the nib is made from iridium which is a member of the platinum group of metals and this is welded to the front of the nib and then polished. Incredibly the Pelikan fountain pen nibs are rotated in a water tank for 24 hours and are polished with small porcelain particles. It is then finished with tiny copper balls and then every nib is tested by hand.

There are up to 10 different nib sizes in the Pelikan fountain pen range.

Pelikan fountain pen sleeve

The sleeve is sealed with a special resin which stops any ink from leaking and bears the immediately recognisable green and black stripes which are synonymous with Pelikan fountain pens. The cap rings are cut from a brass tube and gold plated and fixed to the cap with an injection moulding machine.

The Pelikan Souveran Fountain Pen Series

The Pelikan Souveran series is one of the most enduring, instantly recognisable and popular models that Pelikan have ever manufactured.
The original Pelikan 400 series, with it’s distinctive green striped sleeve, led to the Souveran as the 400 series was rechristened the Souveran in the 1980s.

Pelikan Souveran Fountain Pen M1000

The Souveran M1000 is the largest and most exclusive of the Pelikan fountain pen range.
Some of it’s distinctive features include
Classic black/green sleeve
18 carat gold nib
Golf plated Pelikan clip
Gold plated double rings at the ink handle
A choice of 10 nibs ranging from extra fine to O3B. It is a stunning pen which measures nearly 7 inches when open and nearly 6 inches when closed.

It also comes with a beautifully made silk lined presentation box and ink bottle.

Pelikan Souveran M800

The M800 is a little smaller than the M1000 and is a more traditional size of fountain pen which boasts a finely engraved 18 carat gold nib, gold plated Pelikan clip and comes in a range of nib widths ranging from EF to O3B and in the traditional black/green, black/blue, black/red and black.

Pelikan Souveran M300

The Pelikan Souveran M300 series is the smallest of the Souveran series measuring about 5 inches open and 4.3 inches closed. It boasts the classic plunger ink mechanism, black/green sleeve or plain black and a 14 carat gold nib with rhodium decoration.

Pelikan Souveran 600 Medium Fountain Pen Green From the Souveran Pelikan series comes the 600 series, for those who would like a more moderately sized Pelikan. It is composed from a diamond-ground surface, with 18 karat gold plated fittings and a hand crafted 14 karat gold nib with rhodium decoration. It is also equipped with piston fill system, so you can only fill it with an inkbottle. And don’t forget Pelikan’s signature beak shaped clip. This superb writing instrument is available in black/blue, black/green, black/red or all black finish.

It has a more restricted nib range with fine, medium and broad being available and features gold plated classic Pelikan clip and fittings with a small decorative ring in it’s front section.

This is a brief look at the Pelikan Souveran fountain pen series which also offers the choice of the M805, M625, M600, M450, M425, M420 right down to the M300.

Pelikan Mount Everest Special Edition Fountain Pen The special edition Mount Everest is crafted of the finest materials. The distinctive new barrel features a metal shaft with a complex engraving and specially created gold plated mountain formation element. Its representation flows into the anthracite-colored precious resin components of the front part and the ink handle. The 18 carat gold nib with rhodium trim is designed, masterfully crafted and polished meticulously by a master’s hand.

As well as the Souveran series there is the stunning Pelikan Toledo series which is a stunning looking fountain pen which features a sleeve made from one piece in Sterling Silver.

Each Pelikan Toledo pen is unique because the small engravings made in the sleeve are made by hand. This series includes the Pelikan Toledo M910 Yellow, Red, Pelikan Toledo 900 and Toledo 700.

The genesis of this design of fountain pen goes back centuries when patterns were engraved into the surface of steel and then a thin sheet of gold is placed over the pattern which in turn is heated to 800 degrees Celsius.

The heat will force the steel surface to oxidize and blacken which leaves the gold to shine and give you the beautiful design from the gold which will have been hammered in by a tiny hammer. The Arabs who invaded Spain brought this technology with them and it became popular around the Spanish town of Toledo..hence the name Pelikan Toledo Fountain Pen.

In addition to these fountain pens Pelikan also manufacture Limited editions and Special editions of it’s fountain pens.

Pelikan Limited Edition

The Limited editions from Pelikan are extensive and wide ranging and are true collectors items and include the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Maki-e Limited edition which derives from a famous Japanese art of lacquer painting.

The Pelikan limited editions have 2 basic themes..the Seven Wonders of the World and the Important Effects on Civilization.
In a Limited edition Pelikan fountain pen each pen is numbered and manufactured only once with the series following a particular theme.

Pelikan Special Edition

The Pelikan special editions follow a particular theme and this gives us the Indian Summer, Mount Everest, Sahara etc. and many other beautiful places in the world such as Niagara Falls and Place de La Concorde.

It is clear that the range of Pelikan fountain pen that you can choose from is enormous. They are incredibly classic writing instruments and Pelikan also supply a wide range of accessories such as the famous Pelikan inks and leather cases for keeping your Pelikan fountain pen safe and sound.