How much would Grandmothers Fountain Pen be worth?

We are asked this question, or similar many times. Unfortunately it is not that simple to answer. What does your Grandmothers Pen look like? In the following we will showcase the most popular models.

Models 100
Models 100

Was sold from 1930 onwards all through the 2nd; World War. Length with cap removed is 10.5 cm. Instead of the most common marble shaft design, plain Black and grey were also available. Other variations were also produced for foreign Markets. The transparent ink window was Brown in the early thirties and later Green. During the War, the pens cap had no adorned rings.

Instead it just had two engraved designs. The earlier version of the pens grip area had ripples. This later became smooth. These Pens would be priced - depending on their condition between Euro 50 and 150. The ones with a refined steel nib are worth less. The colourful versions intended for foreign Markets are usually worth even more. With the original Pen case or box an extra 10% can be demanded.

Model 100N
Model 100N

Was sold from 1937 until the late fifties. Length with cap removed is 12.1 cm. The shaft designs and transparent ink windows were like the Model 100. The caps were fitted with two delicately adorned rings as with a broad rippled ring. In such cases the clip was rippled and not smooth like usual models. The resulting prices are similar to those of the Model 100.

Model 400
Model 400

Has been produced from 1950 until 1956. Length 12.5 cm. This was produced with a Green, tortoise design, Black or Grey striped shaft. If the Pen has a cap and grip with a special Double gold covering, we are dealing with a Model 500. The Model 400 is one of the most widely sold. It is usually traded between € 40 and 65 - more of course with the original packaging. The Model 500 on the other hand would fetch between € 100 - 200.

Model 400 and 500
Models 400 and 500


Produced from 1957 until 1965, internally referred to as Models 400NN and 500NN. Length 13cm. It differs from the normal Model 400 through the shape of the grip and the caps head. The clip is thinner and the cap itself slightly longer. The Model 500 has a grip without the Double covering as pictured above. The prices are similar to those of the Models 400 from 1950.

Model 140
Model 140

This Pen was sold from 1955 until 1963, the length is 12.3 cm. It was originally released in Black, Red, Blue, Green and Grey. Later another variation was added that was the most popular as proven through sales: The Green striped shaft. This pen is considered to be very valuable. The plated parts - clip and rings - had a thin gold coating that usually wore of quite quickly. This is the reason that most of these pens would have lost their visual appeal by now. The Green striped Model is traded between € 30 and 60. The colourful versions are worth more.

How do these price spans result?

They are a result of supply and demand. This year the prices would be more around the lower ranges. This is a lot lower than last years prices.If you sell the Pen in a good condition to a collector, you are likely to get better deal than selling it in a condition that requires restoring. In many cases its the pens mechanics that are no longer working properly, the pen is mouldy, it looks bland or the cap is torn. To restore it requires a certain knowledge, probably spare parts and some work. All of these factors reduce the pens worth. Even we at Pelikan repurchase some of our Fountain Pens, Mechanical Pencils or other Products for our Archive. We pay the usual trading prices or offer to swap with a Product from our current assortment.

j.dittmer@pelikan.de