R200 variations?

[andygold]

First post on the forum.

At least 11 years ago I purchased the remaining Pelikan inventory of a local stationary store that was going out of business. The price was right so I purchased the dozen or so R200 roller ball pens they had left (along with dozens of pens from Parker, Waterman, & 1 Bill Blass).

Of the Pelikans, I still have 8 left. They all have the R200 tag inside the box. I have green, blue, and gray colored marbled barrels, one in all black and one in a cross between blue and gray marbled. The thing is that the pens all seem to be a little bit different. I can group them into 4 distinct groups. Some I can say look to be pre-1997, and some post-1997, but 2 don't fall into either group. They all have the R200 tag in the box, but some have extra gold rings on the cap along with grey engraved emblems with 2 baby birds (pre-1997?) while others are gold silk screened (post 1997), and there are two that don't fit either group (maybe parts switched???).

I didn't want to go through the motions yet of photoing each and figuring out how to post images yet as I'm not sure if this is the proper venue for this.

So, if this is the proper place, and if there is someone here up to the task that might be able to help me figure out exactly what I have model wise (are they actually all R200s, or variations), or possibly rarities, it would be appreciated. On one, the tag inside read R200, but the outside of the box had a label that read 250.

If I get the go-ahead, I'll start to photo them all and then figure out how to post the images.

Thank you,

andy

[werner]

Hi Andy,

I think it will help, if you make photos one from every line to identify your rollerballs.
Please feel free to upload your pictures and I think some people will help you.

Best regards
Werner

[andygold]

Well let's see if I can attach these correctly...

All 8 pens are roller balls. They all have 2 chicks on the caps - 2 engraved and 6 silk screened. 7 of them have an R200 tag attached. The second one down in the full picture (blue one with old cap and new body had a hand written tag on the box listing it as a 250, although I'm not even sure what a 250 series is...

The top two pens have the pre 1997 style cap, yet the second one down has a gold ring at the piston knob (is that what they are called on a roller ball? I would think not, but I don't know what else to call it).. And the third one down that has the post 1997 cap is missing the gold piston knob ring.

Now that I look at them together, When looking at the pic with all of the pens...I'm wondering if someone at the store switched the piston knobs on those two pens.
If I were to switch the knobs on those two pens they they would all fit nicely into either the pre and post '97 categories.

Before I do that, is it possible that Pelikan made a mashup of parts when they were switching over from old to new style back in 1997?

My suit and tie pen is the mixed up blue one. I like the old domed cap with double ring, but I prefer the new "ringed" knob!!!

Any thoughts as to what I have here?

Moderator: don't know if this is allowed. If not, please edit it or ask me to edit it...
Are any of these considered more collectible than the others? Do people look for Pre '97 vs. Post '97? Are they collectible at all? Are they considered better quality than the new production models? Are they more "valuable" than new production pens?
I'm looking to possibly get rid of some of these. I see that the retail is around $80 to $100 US for a brand new production unit, and used ones auction for around $50. Would any of these be worth more/same/less than that (they are all brand new in the box except for my personal one).

If you had these and were going to keep a few, which would you recommend keeping, and why?

Sorry for all the questions, but no one around where I live probably even knows what a Pelikan is....

Thank you,

Andy

[werner]

The top two pens have the pre 1997 style cap ...... And the third one down that has the post 1997 cap ....

Hi Andy,

Your identyfication is right, you have 8 rollerballs (2 pre 1997 and 6 post 1997). As you wrote I think also that someone at the store switched the piston knobs on those two pens. I think that because of the hand written tag to upvalue the R200 to a R250.
The fountain pens M200 have a stainless steel nib, the M250 have a 14 carat gold nib. This is the only different between this both lines but both fountains pens have not the golden ring near the piston knob.
In my opinion both lines have the same quality and are not different in valuable. It is a personal preference what line users prefer.
For the value of this rollerballs please have a look to eBay. That is the best way for this.

Best regards
Werner

[RobinStroman]

You have very high quality photos, I was impressed.
Which photo editor do you use? online or offline?
I use this for now there you can increase the detail and improve the quality.
But I'm looking for new options, please advise.

[cobybrian]

It's fascinating to hear about your collection of Pelikan R200 roller ball pens with various intriguing variations. This forum is indeed an appropriate place for discussing such topics. While I can't see the pens firsthand without images, it would be helpful to the community if you could provide photos to aid in identifying these variations and potential rarities. The discrepancy with the R200 tag inside and the label on the box as R250 is certainly intriguing. Please go ahead and start photographing them, and when you're ready to share, you can to upload the images for fellow collectors, like , to examine and provide insights. Your collection sounds like a treasure trove for pen enthusiasts!

[Angel17]

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[Angel17]

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[MRVI]

It seems like you've stumbled upon quite the intriguing collection of Pelikan R200 roller ball pens! From the descriptions you've provided, it sounds like you have quite a variety, each with its own unique characteristics and history.

It's fascinating to hear about the different variations you've observed, from the pre-1997 style caps to the post-1997 ones, and even the mystery of the pen labeled as R250 instead of R200. The possibility of parts being switched adds another layer of intrigue to your collection.

As for your questions about the collectibility and value of these pens, it's clear that there's a lot of interest in vintage and unique stationery items among enthusiasts. While I can't give a definitive answer without seeing the pens firsthand, it's certainly worth exploring further. Websites like eBay can be a helpful resource for gauging the market value of such items.

In terms of which pens to keep, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Each pen seems to have its own charm and appeal, whether it's the classic design of the pre-1997 models or the sleek look of the post-1997 ones. Trust your instincts and choose the ones that resonate with you the most.

If you decide to share photos of your collection here or on other platforms, I'm sure fellow enthusiasts would be eager to provide insights and appreciation for your unique finds. Happy collecting!