Pelikan

A short history of Pelikan brand:

Pelikan fountain pens trace their origins to a German company founded by chemist Carl Hornemann in Hanover around 1832 (traditionally counted as 1838 for official founding). Originally a color and ink factory, Pelikan began producing fountain pens later, with its first fountain pen launched in 1929. This pen featured a pioneering differential piston filling mechanism, which became a hallmark innovation of the brand. In 1871, Günther Wagner took over the company and in 1878 registered the pelican emblem (from his family crest) as one of the first German trademarks. Pelikan gained prominence not only for inks but also for highly durable and high-quality fountain pens. Their green marbled pens, especially the model 100 (and later model 400) from the mid-20th century, became iconic and synonymous with the brand. Pelikan was also among the first to introduce cartridge pens for students in the 1960s with the "Pelikano" model. The production eventually moved from Hanover to Peine/Vöhrum near Hannover due to company growth. In 1991, Pelikan acquired the German pen company Geha, further consolidating their market presence. Pelikan remains known for fine craftsmanship, innovative piston-filling systems, and classic designs such as their enduring Souverän line, introduced in 1982, which echoes the mid-century model 400 aesthetics. **Key dates and facts:** - Founded 1832 (traditionally 1838) in Hanover by Carl Hornemann as ink and color factory - 1871: Günther Wagner takes control - 1878: Pelican logo trademarked, one of Germany’s earliest trademarks - 1929: First Pelikan fountain pen with differential piston filler introduced - 1950s: Model 100 and 400 green marbled pens become iconic - 1960: Pelikano, a popular cartridge school pen, introduced - 1991: Pelikan acquires Geha pen company - Today: Pelikan renowned for durable, elegant piston-filler pens, especially the Souverän series Pelikan combines a long heritage in ink and writing instruments with distinctive German engineering and classic styling, making it a venerable name in the fountain pen world.
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This table shows all in my database available Pelikan writing instruments. To a particular Pelikan please use the above menu. Click on a picture to enlarge it. This list is sorted by period of production and model/number.
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Brand	Pelikan	Notes
Model/Number	100	Two gold plated cap bands. Row groved piston button.
Manufacturer	Pelikan
Period	1932-1938
System	Piston
Length closed	4-5/8" = 11.75 cm
Colour	black & green marbled
Material	Hard rubber & celluloid
Ref.Nr. = JKP-23

Brand	Pelikan	Notes
Model/Number	100N Taylorix	This pen was special made for a factory called Taylorix. This factory sold office equipment. Pelikan produced specialy for them the model 100N, IBIS 130 and also the Pelikan 140 with a special two holes D nib. This nib was special hardened.
Manufacturer	Pelikan
Period	1938
System	Piston
Length closed	4-13/16" = 12.22 cm
Colour	Black
Material	Celluloid
Ref.Nr. = JKP-118

Brand	Pelikan	Notes	Top
Model/Number	100 N	Two cap bands. Big ink container. Green transparent ink window. The model 100 N was produced in the first time with BHR cap and the old Pelikan logo on top of the cap, later than with the new logo. Imprint on the cap top: "GÜNTHER WAGNER Pelikan".
Manufacturer	Pelikan
Period	1938-1951
System	Piston
Length closed	4-13/16" = 12.22 cm
Colour	Black
Material	Celluloid
Ref.Nr. = JKP-257

Brand	Pelikan	Notes
Model/Number	IBIS	It has an internal piston mechanism. The pen has a distinctive yellow or green ink viewing window in the barrel. Chromed steel nibs marked with “CN” (chromium-nickel)
Manufacturer	Pelikan
Period	1949-1955
System	Piston
Length closed	4-5/8" = 11.75 cm
Colour	Black
Material	Celluloid
Ref.Nr. = JKP-326

Brand	Pelikan	Notes
Model/Number	400	This early pen has engraving at the end of the barrel: "Günther Wagner PELIKAN". The nib grade is engraved on the turning knob. The ink window is transparent green striated.
Manufacturer	Pelikan
Period	1951-1954
System	Piston
Length closed	5" = 12.70 cm
Colour	Black & Green Striped
Material	Celluloid
Ref.Nr. = JKP-272

Brand	Pelikan	Notes	Top
Model/Number	500	This early pen has engraving at the end of the barrel: "Günther Wagner PELIKAN M". The nib grade is engraved on the turning knob and on the nib. The cap and the turning knob are double gold plated.
Manufacturer	Pelikan
Period	1951-1954
System	Piston
Length closed	5" = 12.70 cm
Colour	Brown Turtoise Striped
Material	Celluloid
Ref.Nr. = JKP-274

Brand	Pelikan	Notes
Model/Number	450	Early mechanical pencil with one gold plated band and small "+" sign on it. On the top of barrel engraved "GÜNTHER WAGNER PELIKAN 450". This is te companion pencil of "PELIKAN 400" fountain pen (see Ref.No. JKP-272).
Manufacturer	Pelikan
Period	1951-1956
System	Push Pencil
Length	5-1/8" = 13.02 cm
Colour	Black & Green Striated
Material	Celluloid
Lead size	1.18 mm
Ref.Nr. = JKP-273

Brand	Pelikan	Notes
Model/Number	140	After the production of IBIS-model was suspended, the follower was model #140. This black & green striped colour combination is easy to find. Imprint at the cap band: +PELIKAN 140+. Pelikan logo on the cap top.
Manufacturer	Pelikan
Period	1952-1965
System	Piston
Length closed	4-15/16" = 12.54 cm
Colour	Black & Green striped
Material	Celluloid
Ref.Nr. = JKP-49

Brand	Pelikan	Notes	Top
Model/Number	355	Companion Ballpoint of the PELIKAN 400 Fountain pen from the same period. Imprint on the band "PELIKAN 355 Germany".
Manufacturer	Pelikan
Period	1960-1965
System	Ballpoint
Length	5-1/8" = 13.02 cm
Colour	Black & Green Striated
Material	Resin
Ref.Nr. = JKP-176

Brand	Pelikan	Notes
Model/Number	P15	One of the first PELIKAN cartridge filling system pens. Only P11 & P12 were produced earlier. Covered nib. Argentan matte finished cap. Imprint on cap lip: PELIKAN 15 GERMANY.
Manufacturer	Pelikan
Period	1963
System	Cartridge/Converter
Length closed	5-1/4" = 13.34 cm
Colour	Blue & Argentan
Material	Plastic & Metal
Ref.Nr. = JKP-22

Brand	Pelikan	Notes
Model/Number	Souverän M 1000	The biggest Pelikan Souverän with 24-Karat gold plated trim. Very big 18 Kt. 750 gold nib with Rhodium-Decor, size 3B (BBB).
Manufacturer	Pelikan
Period	1998
System	Piston
Length closed	5-13/16" = 14.76 cm
Colour	Black & Green Striated
Material	Celluloid
Ref.Nr. = JKP-305

Brand	Pelikan	Notes	Top
Model/Number	Toledo M900	Crafted by the master’s hand, hand-signed and numbered, Sleeve of solid 925 sterling silver, 24 carat gold-plated. Solid brass components in the mechanics. Fittings gold-plated. Large 18 carat gold nib with rhodium decoration.
Manufacturer	Pelikan
Period	1999
System	Piston
Length closed	5-1/2" = 13.97 cm
Colour	Black & Gold
Material	Resin & gold plated sterling silver
Ref.Nr. = JKP-43

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