Pelikan Expo 2000 Humankind Limited Edition

January 6, 2013

Pelikan Expo 2000 Humankind 1998 (509/1998)

In celebration of the Expo 2000 in Hannover Pelikan made a serie of limited edition pens. Because the Expo had three themes, Humankind, Nature and Technology Pelikan made a limited edition pen for each theme and introduced one every year. Starting with the Humankind in 1998, than the Nature in 1999 and ending with the Technology in 2000.

A total pens made following the year of introduction. So 1998 pens total of the Humankind, 1999 pens of the Nature and 2000 of the Technology.

I was happy to find the Humankind for a really nice price from a seller here in the Netherlands.

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First Impressions (8/10)

In pictures its more a 6/10. The pen just doesn't look good to me on the picture I have seen. The red color looks to bright or to dark, the gold shade just to much ect.

But, when I saw the pen in person for the first time all those doubts were gone. It looks really impressive. So the first minute I saw the pen I knew I had to have it.

Appearance & Design (8/10)

Based on the old style M800, the pen has the gold disc at the bottom, and the old style logo on top giving it a really classic and elegant look.

The pen is quite different from the other pelikans I have seen. It has a dark red color, with I think only the old M100 also has.

The shade is gold plated like the Toledo's or other LE's. However, the amount of cut outs is far less than the other pens. So there is a lot of gold left. Were the Toledo's are quite dark the Humankind is more gold.

The pattern on the shaft is a DNA string. On one side of the shaft the name of the pen is engraved. Expo 2000 >> Humankind << 1998.

On the gold ring, at the top of the cap, the number of the pen is engraved. Strangely it doesn't show the total amount of pens like all my other LE's have. It just say the number of the pen.

The pen is delivered in a nice box. The box has the appearance of a book, but with a metal back. All three boxes (humankind, nature and technology) fit together showing one picture on the back.

Weight & Dimensions (9/10)

Like the m800 its based on, the Humankind has an brass piston mechanism. In addition to that the gold shaft adds a whole lot of weight. Its by far the most heavy pen of all LE's or M800's I have. It weights 39.7 gram with cap. The Wall street LE weights 29 grams, the M800 clear demo weights 27 grams and my Golf LE sits at about 29.6 gram. I don't have a standard M800 to compare with, but I think the Wall street is the closest to the standard pen.

The size is great for long time writing. With the extra weight a standard pen might be better.

Posting the cap isn't a problem, personally I don't do that.

Nib & Performance (9/10)

What can I say, Its a Pelikan. The nib is a 18K duotone nib. This one is a broad, my first one. As all my other pens are a fine, with the exception of one medium, I thought this would be a great addition to the pack.

I only dipped the pen this far, the line is nice and broad. I use Eidelstein ink from Pelikan, a more wet ink compared to the standard pelikan inks. It fits the B nib fine.

Filling System (10/10)

Like all pelikan souverän pens, the Humankind uses a piston filler. The mechanism is made of solid brass making it more durable than the plastic one in my m600, m400 and m200‘s. Turning the knob is going really smooth. But this is the case with all pelikans. Like the m800 it holds enough ink for a long time writing. I don’t know how many pages you can write with a full pen, because I fill the pen often.

Cost & Value (8/10)

The price I paid is a 10/10 for me. However I see them sold for about 700 to 900 dollar normally. I do think the pen is worth those prices. Its nicely made, great color, off course quite limited (1998 pieces), and for sure will work many years.

Conclusion (Final score 8/10)

I'm very happy to find this pen. The color, and decoration really sets it apart from the other pelikans I have and makes it a nice addition.

Here some pictures!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8353056891_2c31e3abf5_b.jpg

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