After many attempts, I have finally secured a Pelikan 100N on Ebay. I have not received it yet but if it is anything close to the photos (below) then it is a beauty – and a bargain for $125! I am particularly pleased that I was able to obtain the less common model with the fluted clip and milled cap band.
According to the item description, the pen was made in 1954; this means it was made in the last year of production. What a classic pen! Here are the pictures and then a bit of history of the Pelikan 100 and 100N.
100
A year after its introduction, ‘The Pelikan Pen’ was modified slightly and became known as the ’100′. The most visible difference was the cap, which grew two cap bands, and the nib, which lost its heart-shaped pierce hole in favour of a circular one. The barrel became celluloid instead of bakerlite (sic) and a new shade of green was added to the range.
Further modifications were made in 1931, most notably the top of the cap which became slightly more tapered, and further colours were added. Even more colours followed in 1935 to include marbled pens, tortoiseshell andlizardskin. These became known as the Model 101. These coloured pens are hard to find nowadays as many were destroyed during the war.
Of special interest was a de luxe range introduced in 1931. The 110 had a cap and barrel of white gold. The 111 with a black cap and 14ct gold barrel, and the 112 with a 14ct gold cap and barrel. And, most significantly, the T111 known as the Toledo with a 22/24ct tooled barrel.
Production of the 100 series ended in 1944.
100N
In 1937 a new model went into production, known as the 100N (N for ‘new’). Although similar in shape to the 100, this was a bigger pen, both in length and diameter, which consequently had a larger ink capacity. The other main visible difference was the filling knob, which was more conical and now smooth as opposed to the ribbed knob on the 100. Versions of this model can also be found with a shorter cap top. These were intended as export models to countries where, it is reported, fashion dictated that a flap on the top of a jacket pocket would fold better if the pen did not stick up too far. The cap rings came in two versions – a double ring or a broad, fluted decorative ring with matching fluted clip. Because of the war and subsequent gold shortage, gold nibs were not allowed, so pens made during wartime had palladium nibs. Later in 1939 palladium was also forbidden and nibs were made of chrome, nickle (sic) and steel.
In 1942 the pen was further improved by replacing the piston cork with one made of a synthetic material normally used as a sealing agent to prevent home water leaks. Towards the end of its life the filling system was further improved with a new piston and piston rod.
Over the span of its production, the 100N came in a wide range of finishes – black caps with black, green and grey marbled barrels and 14ct gold bands, tortoise shell and lizard finishes known as the 101N, mother-of-pearl, all white rolled gold or 14ct pens and, of course, the familiar Toledo.
The production of the 100N series ended in 1954.
The above history of the Pelikan 100 and 100N obtained from The Highlo Pen Museum
Filed under: 100, 100n, pelikan fountain pen
You can at least give the Pelikan designers some credit for trying something new.
I just can’t resist commenting on the Monteverde Nabu (Painted MegaBall Collection), which is based on the Mega Inkball rollerball (fountain pen not yet available – there is a god!). The Nabu is a pen created using a technique that involves painting the transparent acrylic resin barrel from the inside. This is the opposite of classic maki-e, which is applied to the outside of the pen. Three images, based on traditional Chinese culture, have been used so far -“The Tiger,” “The Great Wall” and “Flowers & Birds.”
