Pelikan Souverän 40th Anniversary Limited Edition.
Pelikan marks the 40th anniversary of the Souverän with a new limited edition, featuring the well-known pen’s familiar design cues and signature stripes. The history of the Souverän (German for “sovereign”) is expansive, and this model is probably the most recognized among Pelikan’s range of writing instruments. Over the years the series has grown to include a variety of models in varying sizes, modes and colors—with a few limited editions included for good measure.
According to Pelikan at the time of its introduction, “popular lore has taken to calling it by its nickname Stresemann, because the state secretary of the ‘Weimarer Republik’ [Gustav Stresemann, 1879 - 1929] was famous for his striped suits…’”
The first model, in 1982, was an M400 in black and green stripe, while 1984 saw a model in tortoiseshell brown stripe. But it was in 1987 that the emblematic M800 in black and green was introduced, forever changing my taste in pens thanks to its perfect heft, classic looks and thoughtful details.
The ensuing years saw gold- and silver-plated models, a black and blue model and a black-and-red-striped model. Other variations and combinations have been variously introduced, including pens in black resin and silver (2002), and in tortoise-white (2004). In honor of its unofficial namesake, a Souverän Stresemann came on the scene in 2015 with a black-and-anthracite striped barrel, crafted from cellulose acetate. Other variations of the Stresemann followed. And you read here about the Special Edition Souverän M805 Ocean Swirl that was introduced just a few years ago.
The Raden M800 Royal Gold, introduced in 2017, was a real leap in creativity, I think. As its name suggests, it employs the raden decorative technique, a Japanese art form most often used for lacquerware and wood objects. Raden maki-e pens, often taking weeks or months to complete, were traditionally created for Japanese royals in recognition of their status in the community. The Souverän Raden M800 Royal Gold combines lacquer and mother-of-pearl in the pinstriped decor fundamental to the series.
The Limited Edition 40th Anniversary Commemorative Pen
Pelikan Souverän 40th Anniversary Limited Edition.
The just-introduced limited edition anniversary model M800 takes us back to the Souverän’s roots, with its green-and-black-striped barrel, gold appointments, and black cap. There are 888 pieces in the edition, and each pen’s number within the series is engraved on the end cap. A golden ring around the barrel recalls the pen’s iconic stripes, while the cap crown features the familiar pelican motif, here filled with deep green lacquer. The beak-shaped clip—the signature of all premium Pelikan writing instruments—is polished to perfection.
The 18-karat gold handmade medium-sized nib is uniquely decorated to include a reference, once again, to the stripes representative of the Souverän. “Forty Years” is engraved above the pelican motif. On a personal note, I’ve yet to meet a premium Pelikan nib I didn’t like, and they are available in a variety of sizes, which is a real plus for any committed pen lover.
The packaging (with stripes, of course) includes a specially labeled bottle of dark green Pelikan ink.