Filling Mechanism: Piston Filler

Click the headline for the close-ups. Enlarge the nib photo. Notice how the two-tone 18k gold nib says "OM"? In theory, this means the pen has an oblique medium nib. However, we don't notice any oblique action in the nib. It mostly feels like a lightly scratchy fine point. Overall, this Pelikan Souveran M400 is in excellent condition with only minor wear from use. No cracks or significant scratches. Its piston filler moves smoothly. It is a little bit older than it looks. You can see the top jewel logo etched in green: a mama pelican with two chicks. 12.5cm capped.

If we aren't mistaken, the Visconti Ragtime fountain pen was their first commercially available pen. This one seems extra unique to us, as we haven't seen this light-brown pearl and black design before. We've seen green ones and yellow ones. This preowned pen looks almost brand new, and its piston still works well. It is pretty obvious its box is pretty beat up, but the pen is great. Only gently used, just a touch of old blue ink came out when we flushed it. You will write a very smooth fine line with its 18k gold nib. However, it feels as if it might be more of a medium once you break it in with some daily use. Assuming you don't want to keep it as a museum piece. 14.3cm capped.

Montegrappa Extra 1930 is a confusing name for a pen, as it made many decades after 1930. Nevertheless, it was made with all of the elegance of that decade's luxury design. Montegrappa is easily our favorite Italian pen manufacturer. It uses the most beautiful of celluloids, solid precious metal trim and its nibs are soooo damned smooth. This preowned luxury pen sports a "green marble" design and sterling silver trim. It was gently used and looks like it is in mint condition on a passing glance. Yet, a very close inspection reveals some wear to the celluloid where it rattled around a desk drawer for a little while. However, you really need to look closely to see it. You will write a delightfully smooth medium line with its 18k gold nib. Oddly, we don't see the gold purity stamp on the nib, but these pens all came with 18k gold nibs to the best of our knowledge. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.8cm capped.

Have you ever seen the shimmering tendrils of plasma in the night sky known as the Northern or Southern Lights? It is a fantastic scene, with the most common color being green ribbons that stretch across the sky. Some German designers took inspiration from these rare events to create the Pelikan Polar Lights fountain pen. Also designated an M640, it is a delightful limited edition pen. We find it to be a little larger than a standard M600, and it has more bowed middle in its design, instead of a straight barrel. Our pen is in great working order and seems to have seen minimal use. It looks almost mint. You will write a very smooth fine line, although the rhodium-plated 18k gold nib is listed as a medium. Includes its original box a papers. 13.6cm capped.

How is it Italian craftsmen and women seem to come up with some of the most beautiful pen designs in modern pens? We love the stunning amber celluloid that seems to an ancient essence found in artifacts from Rome and around the Mediterranean. On really close examination you will find little bits of wear and damage, but it is impossible to see at a passing glance. You fill the pen with a piston activated by the little silver disc on the tail. It writes a very smooth medium line for a steel nib. It also includes its box and papers. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.5cm capped.

Limited edition pens are always fun, and our Krone Gradient Coral Red is no exception. What makes it especially interesting to us is that it is #4 of 388! We've never had a numbered pen in the single digits before. Mother of pearl blazes into a blazing coral red on the barrel. The brushed steel cap and blind cap serve as nice contrast. Overall, the pen looks great but there are two short but deep scratches on the steel cap. Click the headline for close-ups. You'll write a smooth medium line with its 18k gold nib. We find it makes little scrunching sounds at the top of ascenders and bottom of descenders. You'll also notice it is a bouncy nib capable of line variation. Just be careful, as 18k gold is very soft and easily bent out of shape. 13.6cm capped.

The 2014 Montblanc Writers Series fountain pen was dedicated to Daniel Defoe. He is most famous for the classic "Robinson Crusoe." This preowned luxury pen comes with all of its complete papers and boxes. The pen looks perfect...except for the nib. The 18k gold nib is losing its ruthenium or platinum plating. Click the headline for a close-up. We filled the pen with water, and we aren't certain if it has ever been used. We dipped the nib and it writes a smooth medium line. 14.3cm capped.

Earning the eternal enmity of the Gods, Prometheus gave humans fire, according to the ancient Greeks. That story is the inspiration for this sumptuous sterling silver pen with 18k gold accents. The Stipula Prometheia is the very definition of luxury and artistry. Our preowned pen is New Old Stock, still sealed in its original plastic sleeve. That is why we used the photo of it from one of the booklets that comes with the pen. (We only have the silver version. The photo in the booklet shows the gold one, too, but it is not included.) In addition to this truly handsome wooden case, you also get a magnifier, white gloves for handling and a leather pen pouch. The perfect pen gift for the collector who thinks they have everything! No returns if the plastic sleeve is opened. Guaranteed original and authentic. Click the headline for another photo.