History Of 800

[Barry Gabay]

Good morning Pelikan authorities,

 

Having studied several brands & models in much more depth than the Pelikan 800, I have some questions about it. It is one of my favorite current models. Have read Rick Propas' piece in the Stylus on background and early history of the 800.

 

My first 800 is the traditional green & black and its band is marked with "W. - Germany". It presently has a two-chick 18C medium nib. I have spare 800 nibs and have switched nibs occasionally on them. Would it have come with a 14C nib or 18C when I purchased it around 25 or more years ago? I still have its original box and brochure showing the 8 nib options, but the brochure text doesn't specify 14C or 18C.

 

Also, I have read here and elsewhere, that this particular era 800 is quite appealing. What do the experts here think it's worth in trade? For eg, I have occasionally traded a pair of new 149s for a much older one. Have also worked it the other way & traded an older 149 for two newer ones. I'm curious about how much people like this era 800. This is not a sales pitch, honestly, but an attempt to gain information. If my question about a two for one trade is way off base, please attribute it to ignorance rather than greed.

 

Thanks for your indulgence & information.

 

Have a good day.

Best wishes,

Barry

Edited August 11, 2020 by Barry Gabay

[DougS]

Most of us refer to them as the M800, just sayin'

 

 

Unless you're looking at the series, rollers, ball points and pencils etc. (is there a pencil?)

Edited August 11, 2020 by DougS

[Karmachanic]

Depends

[joss]

Hi,

 

The www.pelikan-collectibles.com website has a wealth of information on the M800, including the 14k and 18k nib options for the early (W. Germany) M800 complete with links to the original Pelikan brochures and catalogs:

www.pelikan-collectibles.com/en/Pelikan/Models/Souveraen-Series/M800-Basis/index.html

 

Regarding trade value I usually check Ebay's 'sold items' list to obtain a vague idea of value of items that I am interested in. In respect to the Pelikan M800, some collectors indeed search for the early "W. Germany" versions and these pens sometimes demand a slightly higher price. But in my opinion it is not comparbale to the story of the 'old' vs 'new' Montblanc 149 pens. I think that this is because the 'old' MB149 is really a vintage and valuable 1950s pen while the 'old' Pelikan M800 is actually a modern 1980-90s pen. So I think that the two-for-one trade is not an option for the M800.

Edited August 11, 2020 by joss

[Barry Gabay]

Thank you, joss, for this very relevant information. It helps me quite a bit. I was unaware of www.pelikan-collectibles.com. It is a remarkably comprehensive website. Thank you again for this link.

 

Thank you too, DougS & Karmachanic

[zaddick]

I've had (and still have) several first year M800 pens. I prefer the stamped disc logo on he cap and the disc on the piston knob. They did come with a mix of 14C or 18C nibs.

 

I have not found there to be significant extra value to the pen body and cap itself. If there is a higher value determined more by the nib unit.

 

There is a lot of talk of the value/import of PF marks, EN marks, the number of chicks, etc. The market tells me 14C nibs are worth more in the same width than 18C. PF nibs seem to earn a premium. I personally tend to be more concerned with how many Bs there are in the nib.

 

As a rough guide a 14C M nib in a first year green stripes may bring $450 in excellent condition from a seller. The same pen with 18C M nib might bring $350. A later pen with an 18C M nib in the same condition may be more in the $300 range or less. These are my USD, US market estimates from a known seller.

[Gilberto Castaneda]

Hi Barry.

Good to hear from you.

Also good to know that you are getting deep knowledge on these fine pens.

Your might want to search for these:

1. Pentrace Article # 368:- Pelikan History Part I

2. Pentrace Article # 372:- Pelikan History Part II

3. Pentrace Article # 380:- Pelikan History Part III

4. Pentrace Article # 383:- Pelikan History Part IV

 

Also:

Decoding the Pelikan M800

 

All of them by Rick Propas.

 

Cheers from Tampico, Mexico.

 

Gilberto

[Barry Gabay]

Thank you, zaddick & Gilberto. I appreciate the additional information. After reading further, it appears I have the first-generation barrel & cap with an 18C nib. I fully concur about older nibs and their greater value. That is certainly true of the nibs on that big fat cigar fountain pen some of us favor.

 

Gilberto, take care during hurricane season.