Hello,

In a response to a question I had on the Pelikan 1935 Lapis pen, someone wrote that: "Out of curiosity, does any happen to know whether Visconti produced the Originals series' nibs as well as the pens, or just the pens?".

It's surprising to me that Pelikan, a manufacturer with the capabilities to make the pen themselves would have another manufacturer make it for them.

Is it a fact that Visconti made the Pelikan original series?

Thanks for your input everyone.

Greyfox

As far as I know, Visconti only did the (beautiful) celluloid for Pelikan. I'm sure someone like Rick Propas has more detail on the relationship between Visconti and Pelikan on these pens.

My 1935 Lapis L.E. is currently my favorite pen. I had John Mottishaw do a .7mm oblique grind on the nib that is perfection itself.

Kent

Thanks Kent.

I am interested in the pen - it's certainly beautiful.

I am just a little hesitant given that Visconti doesn't have the best reputation for quality.

I like the Pelikan for its reliability and can't help but wonder whether that will suffer given that the pen is made by Visconti.

How have you found the quality and reliability of your pen?

(thanks too for the suggestion to ask Rick)

Greyfox

Hi,

It think it was just the celluloids.

Dillon

The pen behaves perfectly and the quality is absolutely first rate. I believe that the pen is made by Pelikan and only the celluloid is made by Visconti. I'd guess that is because celluloid production is an art that is practiced best in Italy and that for such a limited production run it didn't make economic sense for Pelikan to make their own celluloid when Visconti has so much experience in that area.

By the way, I had a chance at the recent Columbus Pen Show to directly compare my modern Lapis pen with Rick Propas' actual original 101 Lapis from 1935 and the celluloid was a perfect match! Amazing. Rick's pen is an absolute marvel 9 and it was all I could manage to hand it back to him!

Kent

Hello everyone,

I received the following response from Rick on the topic:

"To the best of my knowledge, and I am quite confident in stating this, the Originals series was, indeed, made by Visconti, either all or in part.

However, I need to stress that the vital parts, the nib, feed, collar and the filler, are purely Pelikan.

The celluloid, clearly, is Visconti. I'm not sure the source of the hard rubber.

I am not sure where they were assembled.

I own all of them and have used the gold, whitegold and Toledo extensively, with pleasure and without problem.

I hope this helps, please feel free to post it at FPN and to ask any further questions.

Best Regards,
Rick"

Greyfox

Thanks!

Kent

Hi Greyfox
Production and manufacturing of celluloid had been prohibited in Germany.
There is only one product left - table tennis balls -
Kind regards
Thomas