Pelikan's story originates in 1838 when chemist Carl Hornemann founded a small company to produce ink and water colours. Based out of Hanover, Germany, the Pelikan logo itself is borne from his family's coat of arms and is now synonymous with one of the oldest brands in Germany.

Pelikan are famed for their 1929 invention of the differentiated piston filling mechanism. In the following decades, the company established its international reputation for manufacturing high-quality, plush fountain pens.

The Pelikan M400 is the traditional pen from the Souveran range with a gold trim. It utilises Pelikan's excellent plunger refill system and holds 1.5ml of ink (a standard short cartridge holds 0.7ml, a standard large cartridge holding 1.45ml.) It is a hand-crafted pen and features a 14-carat gold nib with rhodium decoration, giving a gold and silver colour. It weighs 15g, measures 12.5cm closed (15cm posted,) comes in a gift box and is accompanied by Pelikan's three-year warrantee.