My Pelikano Collection In A Custom Box

[austollie]

Dear lovers of Pelikano pens,

 

When I started school in Germany in the 1970s, the use of a fountain pen was mandatory and at my school the teachers strongly recommended the use of a Pelikano with an A nib (A being for Anfänger= beginner). This started my obsession with fountain pens and to this day, my primary interest is in student fountain pens. That said, I am not so enamoured with the current Pelikano line and when it comes to modern student pens, I prefer the Lamy Safari range. This may be anathema to hard-core Pelikan fans, but that’s how I see it.

 

Picture 1 shows my collection from the first model 1 through to model 7S plus a modern Pelikano for comparison:

 

In my view, there was little improvement after model 2 was released in 1965. The feed in model 1 pens is problematic. Both the blue and black versions came into my collection blocked and the pens needed literally months of soaking before they started to work. No other pen that I’ve ever bought (and I’ve bought a few) needed that kind of treatment. I started school with a model 4 and later had a model 5. The Pelikano 5 Super with the metal barrel is my favourite, albeit that it was a flop for Pelikan.

 

Picture 2 shows the box that I made to house my Pelikan collection. The stylised pelican is cut from Queensland Walnut (the name is a misnomer- Queensland Walnut not a walnut tree at all) and has been inlaid into Queensland maple.

 

Picture 3 shows the box with the top layer of pen trays removed. The bottom left tray has no Pelikano pens at all. Instead there is a loose collection of other pens, including two special edition GeHa pens. GeHa was ultimately bought by Pelikan, so I suppose the Geha pens are not that out of place. To the right of the photo are my two Pelikan Pura fountain pens.

 

Picture 4 shows the storage for the original pen boxes underneath the two layers of trays. I like keeping the original boxes, but I like to have my pens in trays.

 

I realise that the Pelikano line of student pens is not everyone’s cup of tea. After all, the nibs are nails and the pens are made to a budget. However, to me the Pelikano line is what fountain pens are all about. The Pelikano pens are robust and write well. I don’t have any problem writing with a ‘nail’.

 

I'd love to hear from other Pelikano fans.

 

Ollie

 

[Tom Kellie]

~ austollie:

 

What a terrific custom box!

The inlaid Pelikan logo is highly impressive.

Your care, attention to detail and devotion to Pelikanos is an inspiration.

Thank you for sharing these images and the background information.

Tom K.

[zaddick]

What a lovely collection and box. Ypur passion shows through. Great work!

[chravagni]

It is definitely my cup of tea ❤

Your collection is fantastic and the box as well. I started school in 1979 and, as Italian, the most used pen together with Aurora Auretta was the Pelikan 4 Antimacchia. I had a red one, then a yellow and a dark green. All of them still working. The nib wasn't A, it was a F.

 

Still the best model for me ❤ it took me a very long time to get accustomed to the new grip of the Pelikano 6 (Then I did and was quite happy with it too). I missed the 5, don't know why 🙂

[BillH]

Excellent in every way! Well done. And I agree, the Pelikanos are a very usable line for the most part and it's too bad they get such little notice here on the forums.

[G-S]

I think I have a vintage yellow Pelikano laying around if you are interested.

Edited January 15, 2020 by G-S

[austollie]

Hi G-S,

 

Yes, absolutely. I've been looking for a yellow Pelikano for a while.

 

I've just sent you a PN.

 

Cheers, Ollie

[ThomasB]

Wow. Very nice box!

[DilettanteG]

What a great way to enjoy your collection! Exceptional work.

[mallymal1]

Bravo! Superb workmanship, and a wonderful collection.

[dnic]

On 1/15/2020 at 2:24 AM, austollie said:

I'd love to hear from other Pelikano fans.

 

Hello Ollie,

 

I'like the evolution of Pelikano pens, too. The colors also reflect the taste of the times.

Here comes a picture of my collection

 

Dominic

[TitoThePencilPimp]

There is one Pelikano I must get my hands on! It has a tropical pattern on the barrel irc.

[austollie]

On 1/31/2021 at 6:49 PM, dnic said:

 

I'like the evolution of Pelikano pens, too. The colors also reflect the taste of the times.

Here comes a picture of my collection

Hi Dominic,

 

That's a terrific Pelikano collection!  Thanks for sharing the photo.  That's really something.  I'm glad that I'm not alone.

 

Cheers,

 

Ollie

[Bikerchick]

That box is absolutely gorgeous, Ollie. I wish I had the skills needed to make such a fabulous custom box. I'm in awe! 

As far as the pens themselves go: my flock contains mostly vintage piston-fillers, but I have a few "school Pelikans" too. Here in Belgium, the use of a fountain pen was mandatory too in primary school and we were all encouraged to get either a Pelikano or a Parker Jotter.  Mine was a Pelikano, which I thought at the time to be a funny name for a pen. It was blue with a silver cap. I started primary school in September 1979 so I'm assuming it was a model 5/P450.  I am keeping my eye out for one on eBay, but not actively anymore. I do have a Franken-Pelikano: a model 3 I bought on a Belgian secondhand site and when it arrived, the seller had swapped the cap for a model 4's, probably thinking I wouldn't notice

All this to say: I do get the Pelikano interest. It's pure nostalgia. And they write just like I remember it. 

Enjoy your lovely collection! 

[EveKuniz]

Pelikanos are my cup of tea as well. My journey started 1989 with a red Pelikano at school in Vienna. Since I have used and collected them among others.

I know there has been a light blue and a rose one, but they seem to be a holy graal.

At the moment I have the ones as per picture and am awaiting a white one to arrive.

[amberleadavis]

Wow, these are great collections, thank you for sharing.