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Not to be confused with Pelican. ‹See Tfd›
For other uses, see Pelikan (disambiguation).
Pelikan Holding AG[1]
Type Aktiengesellschaft
Industry Writing instruments
Founded 1832
Headquarters Schindellegi,[1] Switzerland
Key people Hooi Keat Loo (CEO)[1]
Revenue 282.2 million CHF (2007) [2]
Employees 1,236 (2007)

Pelikan is a German, yet Swiss-incorporated manufacturer of fountain pens and other writing, office and art equipment, credited with the invention of the differential-piston filling method. Their "true" history began with the model "100" and the modified 100N (both fountain pens), which sparked the genesis of the company's distinctive styling.

The modern-day range includes a flagship line called the Majesty, a sterling silver and palladium plated fountain pen, rollerball pen and ball pen. The more popular Souverän (meaning Sovereign) line consists of the very small M300, small M400, medium M600, large M800 and oversized M1000. A new range of large, modern pens have recently been released called the Ductus[3] Pens with vermeil embellishments, called 'Toledo', are manufactured in two sizes in Toledo in Spain. The M700 Toledo is the same size as the (new-style) M400 and the M900 is the same size as the M800. Pelikan is notable for manufacturing many of their pens using Cellulose acetate, instead of the more modern plastics used by most other major pen makers.

Pelikan fountain pen

There is also a more modest "Classic" (née Traditional) line of pens, which is really an extension of the Souverän line. They are mechanically very similar, but less elaborately decorated, and shipped with gold-plated stainless steel nibs, rather than the solid gold nibs of the Souverän pens. This line includes the 200 and 150. The Souverän and Classic lines are also notable for their easily replaced nibs, which are mostly interchangeable. Many of the pen models are also available as ballpoints, mechanical pencils; their model designations have the same number as the corresponding fountain pen, but a different prefix letter. M for the fountain pens using the piston filling mechanism; P for the fountain pens which take ink cartridges, K for ball pens, R for rollerball and D for mechanical pencils.

Pelikan is also a manufacturer of Limited Edition pieces, their first being the acclaimed "Blue Ocean" Demonstrator in 1993 leading to current 'Eternal Ice'. In recent years Pelikan also ventured into some "Special Edition" pens, where an unlimited number of a given pen is manufactured but only within a limited period — usually a year. Pelikan also makes entry-level fountain pens and fountain pens for school pupils, for example "Pelikano" and "Future,". The Griffix 'Learn to Write' system was released in 2009 and starts at a wax crayon up to a fountain pen with right and left handed grip profiles.

Pelikan's entry level fountain pen ink is called Pelikan 4001, while it has a higher grade ink called Edelstein Ink. Pelikan also makes Pelikan Fount India, a deep black Indian ink which, unlike most Indian inks, can be used in fountain pens. It is very water-resistant. Additionally, the company makes Pelikan Drawing Ink A, which is not suitable for fountain pens. It should be used with a dip pen.

The purchase of rival Herlitz will double group revenue KUALA LUMPUR: Pelikan International Corp Bhd hopes to conclude a 45 million euros (RM227mil) cash deal to acquire a 66% stake in another German stationery maker, Herlitz AG, together with the firm’s logistics centre and related assets located near Berlin, by the year-end.


Current Pelikan product lines are:[4]

Type Range of Products
Writing instruments Fountain pens, ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils, pen refills,
inks, erasers, marker pens, highlighters
Arts and crafts Graphite and colored pencils, brushes, wax crayons, oil pastels,
moulding clay, chalks, drawing inks, erasers, papers
Printers cartridges, papers, fax papers and accessories

Special & Limited Editions Pens: Pelikan began producing collectable, limited edition pens in 1993. The first was the Blue Ocean, a transparent 'demonstrator' version of the recently released M800 fountain pen. It was mid-dark blue in colour and allowed the user to see the internal mechanism of the pen. Demonstrator pens from Pelikan had always been popular, but not produced for sale to the public. They were made as salesmen's demonstrators and as a result with very desirable when they did become available for purchase. The tradition for producing several Limited Editions continued and was also joined by 'Special Editions' which are not produced in limited number, but rather for a limited time, for example through the year of 2012.[5]

Discontinued products:

  • Pelikanol — a white glue first made in 1904, similar in composition to today's glue sticks with a distinct marzipan scent.

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