Pilot Egyptian

June 3, 2009

Pilot Egyptian

Classic hieroglyphics design

INTRODUCTION

Sometime during the 1970's, the Sailor and Pilot pen companies produced several editions in their pen lines with an Egyptian motif. Sailor used Egyptian caricatures with a black shaded background, while Pilot went with a hieroglyphics theme over polished metal. I don't know the exact years, but I'm estimating that they were produced sometime in the mid 1970's. Although not explicitly designated as a limited edition, as there are no serial numbers issued, the production number appears to be rather small. Sailor also produced a hieroglyph version in the 1980's. Both the Sailor and Pilot Egyptian themed pens had a fairly limited run, making them rather scarce today (either that or people simply don't want to let go of the ones they have and so the market remains blithely unaware). Unfortunately, I haven't been able to locate any production numbers; my assumption is that the scarce availability meant relatively few were made.

Why the Egyptian motif? I wish I knew. The Treasures of Tutankhamun tour, which ran from 1961-1983, was an unprecedented exhibition success and attracted quite a lot of attention to the culture of ancient Egypt, then resumed touring after a 23 year lull (it is still on display today). The exhibit was shown in Tokyo in 1965-6, so it is unlikely that this influenced Pilot and Sailor. In 1972, it was the 50th anniversary of the Tutankhamun tomb discovery. If anything, the Egyptians were responsible for a milestone in human writing and so it makes sense that a writing instrument company would want to commemorate it in some fashion.

In the early 2000's, Sailor returned to the Egyptian theme with a focus on "The Pharaohs" that incorporated hieroglyphics imprinted into a sterling silver body (somewhat suggestive of Pilot's original version), cast for a limited run of just 200 units.

I witnessed several Sailor Egyptian versions fetch prices well over $400, and one Pilot version sell for around $500. Another FPN member reported seeing a boxed mint version for sale in Japan for $600. So, when I saw one come up for bid on "that auction site", I figured I'd give it a go, expecting to lose with my lower than average bid. But I won, much to my amazement. And... I'm glad I did.

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First Impressions (9/10) - "A tribute to ancient human writings..."
Pilot does not really excel at making impressive pen boxes. Even their flagship Custom models come in rather simple boxes, whereas the more common lines are often provided with plain soft plastic snap enclosures or basic clear plastic swivel cases. This pen must have meant a lot to Pilot. The box feels relatively heavy. A good quality textured plastic overlays metal shells, affixed with a spring loaded hinge and plush velor lining. And when you open it... therein lies the pen. OK, it's a shiny silver pen with hieroglyphics painted on the outside. But you pick it up and it doesn't take long to realize that this is probably going to be a great pen.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/MYU701/pens/Pilot/Pilot-Egyptian_Box1.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/MYU701/pens/Pilot/Pilot-Egyptian_Box2.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/MYU701/pens/Pilot/Pilot-Egyptian_pen-capped.jpg
Note - same pen is shown in different positions here

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Appearance & Design (8/10) - Tutankhamun would have written with it
This pen is based on the Pilot Elite series. You can tell by the fingernail nib that accompanied much of the Elite line. The clip design reflects it as well. But the girth is a bit thicker. The metal is not chrome. It appears to be a highly polished steel alloy, but I did find that silver polish removed a very light tarnish, so I wonder if there is a silver component. The hieroglyphs are not simply painted onto the surface. They are indeed imprinted into the metal and then filled with a black paint. With some of the glyphs, you can see the depression whereas with others the paint has filled flush to the surface. The arrangement of glyphs is attractive with reasonable variation. However, I have no idea if they convey any special meaning.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/MYU701/pens/Pilot/Pilot-Egyptian_pen-hieroglyphs1.jpg

The cap features the typical nicely machined spring loaded clip with pyramid like facets. The cap top has a cone shaped indentation in the tassie, an uncommon adornment for Pilot. The cap is a push-on friction fit type without a clutch ring--it grabs the section plastic. So, much capping/uncapping can cause some slight surface abrasions (they do polish out though). The inner metal cap clutch does permit posting, but I fear that the body would develop scratches from it. You can press the cap on gently and it stays put, but I'd probably forgo posting. It would have been nice if Pilot used a clutch ring design and minimized body friction for posting. Also, Pilot should have created a pamphlet describing the meaning of the hieroglyphs... but then, maybe there is no meaning. At least some reason for why it was made would be nice.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/MYU701/pens/Pilot/Pilot-Egyptian_pen-clip.jpg
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Weight & Dimensions (9/10) - Quite a nice balancing act
Although heavier than a metal Custom or Elite, this pen is very nicely weighted. It works well whether it is posted or not.

Length capped: 13.2cm
Length uncapped: 11.6cm
Length posted: 16.0cm
Girth: 1.1cm
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Nib & Performance (9/10) - Typical Pilot 18k nib, with "script" indication
The fingernail style nib has the "script" designation. I believe this means the nib has a slight stub treatment, which accentuates the writing of script lettering. I'd say it's like a mini fine stub with just a suggestion of line variation. It's smooth and reliable... no surprises there, considering Pilot's reputation.

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/MYU701/pens/Pilot/Pilot-Egyptian_pen-nib1.jpg

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t154/MYU701/pens/Pilot/Pilot-Egyptian_pen-nib2.jpg
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Filling System (8/10) - Cartridge/converter, as typical for Pilot's vintage lines
The filling system is your basic cartridge/converter that Pilot is well known for, accepting the familiar slightly meager CON-20. Given the long body, I'd probably put a standard Pilot cartridge in place and just syringe refill it when needed. The good thing is that the section design takes either reservoir and seats it firmly, with no leaking. However, it would be nice if the CON-70 could be adapted for this.
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Cost & Value (7/10) - It's a limited edition of unknown number, but rare enough
This pen is no bargain. It's out there purely for collecting purposes. You could buy a Pilot Elite with the same script nib and get the exact same writing performance. You're paying for the novelty of the motif. But it feels great in your hand and if you're appreciative of the Egyptian theme, it's hard not to want this pen. On a good day with aggressive bidders, this could easily sell in the high $400's. Is it worth that much? Well, the Pilot Pen Station in Tokyo Japan wants $600 for theirs.
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Conclusion(Final score[50]: 8.3) - It's a pleasing tribute to the ancient Egyptian culture
Would I buy another one? No. Is one enough? Yes. Will I use it regularly? No, because of the collecting value. Will I make use of it occasionally? Definitely. Will I wear it when dressed as a mummy for Halloween? It'll hold my shroud together.
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Edited June 5, 2009 by MYU

June 3, 2009

It looks very classic and very rare. I like Pilot pens because they write much finer. My latest Pilot is a Birdie and I like it very much.

June 3, 2009

This is an attractive pen, I do like it. Do we know exactly how many pens in the run? Did I miss the number in the review? The reason I want to know is you said

With some of the glyphs, you can see the depression whereas with others the paint has filled flush to the surface.

So the screening(?) or paint(?) was a little sloppy suggesting the run was larger and they just "produced" them where if it were a very limited run the paint quality would have been tighter. I know, details, details. Shut up GC!!! I like the way the "glyph's" are embossed, is that the word, and not just colored on the surface.

Anyway, I've never seen this before. I like it a lot and put it on my Interesting Pen list. Man, when I come off my medical leave I'll need a paper route to support my Interesting Pen list.

Thanks MYU for posting it, nice job on it. Very informative on this, another "wicked pissa" pen.

June 3, 2009

Nice pen and good review Gary,

Actually, i was planning to bid on this pen as well but just changed my mind in the end....too many pens on the way to me right now !!!

enjoy it

Nikolaos

June 3, 2009

While I'm not a fan of yellow-gold nibs on white-metal bodies, it's very, very nice. Another fine example of great Pilot design!

June 3, 2009

This is an attractive pen, I do like it. Do we know exactly how many pens in the run? Did I miss the number in the review? The reason I want to know is you said

With some of the glyphs, you can see the depression whereas with others the paint has filled flush to the surface.
So the screening(?) or paint(?) was a little sloppy suggesting the run was larger and they just "produced" them where if it were a very limited run the paint quality would have been tighter.

Unfortunately, I don't know the number produced. I did state it appears to have been a limited run but with no numbering involved. The painting wasn't really sloppy at all--I don't see any of it outside the imprinted lines. My suspicion is that the paint may have dried a little unevenly, thus accounting for some of the imprinting/embossing to be seen due to varying paint thickness. It's very difficult to notice--you need magnification to see it. It would be great to know the process involved. Hand painting all of those glyphs would be painstaking.

Nice pen and good review Gary,
Actually, i was planning to bid on this pen as well but just changed my mind in the end....too many pens on the way to me right now !!!

Thanks, Nikolaos. Well, I guess we both lucked out--if you had bid, either one of us would have caused the other to pay more. Anyway, I have no doubt you'll be able to locate one of these given your special connections (I have no such good fortune, thus my collection has grown rather slowly and haphazardly). What pens do you have coming your way?

~Gary

June 3, 2009

Sailor used Egyptian caricatures with a black shaded background, while Pilot went with a hieroglyphics theme over polished metal. I don't know the exact years, but I'm estimating that they were produced sometime in the early 1980's.

I would have thought much earlier than that. Several Sailor Egyptian prototypes are recorded in the early 1970s. Other hieroglyph-themed pens from Sailor and Pilot are likely from ~1975/76, but designs were released through 1978 to coincide with the examinations of Tutankhamun's tomb, and then they kept going well into the 80s (the Sailor Trident Egyptian was released in 1983 according to one book I have). Have you pulled the nib to see if it bears a date stamp?

What is the other pen in your set? The BP? Sweet!

June 3, 2009

Thanks for that information, Laura. What you say makes sense. I'll update my review.

No, I haven't tried pulling the nib... not quite sure how to do it properly on this pen. I know that Pilot usually puts a date stamp on their nibs, often in plain view. Are you pretty certain that this one will have a date code tucked underneath the section?

Oh, btw... that's not a BP you see in the first pen photo. That's a little Photoshop trickery. I wanted to combine two views of the hieroglyphs into one image, to reduce the image load.

~Gary

Edited June 3, 2009 by MYU