Laurin / Pelikan Plant Waiblingen

The company Laurin was a stationery manufacturer, who was located in Waiblingen in the industrial area Ameisenbühl. Laurin drove e.g. writing instruments in the lower price segment, but they were not made by hand. The manufacturer was rather the company Mutschler in Heidelberg, which manufactured these fountain pens, ballpoint pens up to turning pencils and gel pens. Mutschler made these writing instruments for many renowned brands and discounters. Mutschler acquired the naming rights 'Reform', after this fountain pen factory was liquidated in 1956 and now also distributes writing instruments slightly modified under its own name 'Reform'.

Laurin was very successful with writing instruments in the Spanish area. Especially students and young people used the inexpensive writing instruments and complete writing utensils.

In 1972 Pelikan takes over the company Laurin. In Spain, the distribution of writing utensils continued unchanged and successfully under the name Laurin. Only one addition, 'Un articolo de Pelikan' (an article by Pelikan) pointed out that Laurin had become a subsidiary of Pelikan. In Spanish Pelikan catalogs also the writing instruments of Laurin were listed. Successively, there is an exchange of the branding 'Laurin' versus 'Pelikan' in the writing instruments, so that some models also exist under both brand names.

At the end of the 1980s, the closure of the plant in Waiblingen and then the sale of the 5,000 m² site in 2012 will take place.

Laurin Model 867

Except of the cap, the shape of this fountain pen corresponds to the model 854. The cap is made of stainless steel. The clip bears the imprint 'Laurin' on individual fountain pens, others are completely without branding. The nib is made of stainless steel and corresponds to the shape of the model 854. Conspicuous are two different ink feeds: an older with narrow ink supply (see yellow and green model) and a newer, which could provide more pressure due to more fins (see orange model) , Here, too, the nib show the imprint 'Reform IRIDIUM POINT'.

Model Production Period Nib
867 Early 1970s

Steel

Weight Total Length Barrel Length Cap Length Diameter Ink Capacity
0.43 oz 0.42 in 4.37 in 2.44 in 0.42 in 2 x 0.8 ml (cartridge)
12.05 g 132.5 mm 111.0 mm 62.0 mm 10.6 mm


867 Green Series Production Color
Production: appr. 1970Nib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: greenCap Color: silverTrim: silver-colored
867 Blue Series Production Color
Production: appr. 1970Nib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: blueCap Color: silverTrim: silver-colored
867 Orange Series Production Color
Production: appr. 1970Nib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: orangeCap Color: silverTrim: silver-colored
867 Yellow Series Production Color
Production: appr. 1970Nib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: yellowCap Color: silverTrim: silver-colored

Laurin Model 854

This fountain pen model 854 is often offered as a set (Juego, span.). The second writing instrument is often a ballpoint pen, here e.g. a four-color pen.

The fountain pen has screw cap made of plastic, otherwise no branding, which could point to Laurin. The gold-plated steel nib is flat with bevelled sides and shows an embossed, IRIDIUM POINT 'reform. This is an indication of the manufacturer Mutschler, who has made this fountain pen for Laurin, but has used nibs that are otherwise used for its own brand.

Model Production Period Nib
854 Mid 1970s

Steel

Weight Total Length Barrel Length Cap Length Diameter Ink Capacity
0.31 oz 5.21 in 4.37 in 2.44 in 0.42 in 2 x 0,8 ml (cartridge)
8.9 g 132.5 mm 111.0 mm 62.0 mm 10.6 mm


854 Blue light grey Series Production Color
Production: appr. 1975Nib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: blueCap Color: greyTrim: silver-colored

Laurin Model (Name "unknown")

This model with plastic cap is very similar to the model 854. Here, however, all plastic parts are made in the same color. Deviating here, however, the cap is not made of plastic, but made of metal. The ink feed also shows a variant with a narrow ink supply, which indicates the beginning of the 1970s. The nib show the imprint, 'Reform IRIDIUM POINT'.

Model Production Period Nib
"unknown" Early 1970s

Steel

Weight Total Length Barrel Length Cap Length Diameter Ink Capacity
0.36 oz 5.17 in 4.37 in 2.40 in 0.42 in 2 x 0.8 ml (cartridge)
10.1 g 131.2 mm 111.0 mm 61.0 mm 10.6 mm


Black Series Production Color
Production: appr. 1970Nib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: blackCap Color: blackTrim: silver-colored

Laurin Model (Name "unknown")

At first glance, this model is very similar to the model 854. On closer inspection, however, one can see a change in the grip section for the nib retainer. The gold-plated steel nib is now arched, the ink feed adapted to this shape. Here, too, the nib show the imprint 'Reform IRIDIUM POINT'.

Model Production Period Nib
"unknown" Mid 1970s

Steel

Weight Total Length Barrel Length Cap Length Diameter Ink Capacity
0.34 in 5.12 in 4.41 in 2.44 in 0.42 in 2 x 0.8 ml (cartridge)
9.5 g 131.0 mm 112.0 mm 62.0 mm 10.6 mm


Blue Series Production Color
Production: appr. 1975Nib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: blueCap Color: blueTrim: silver-colored

Laurin Series Fantasia

In the mid / late 1980s, a series of writing instruments is set up, which is addressed to the youngest with imaginative names and colorful imprints. Fountain pens and, in general, ballpoint pens also bear the names Lolly-Pen, Little Lady, Caroline, Happy Fruits, Stardust, Panda-Pen, Pussy-Cat, Snuffle-Pen, Caramelo, Black Sheep, Super Neón, Graffitti, Silver Star, California, Love Hearts and Corazones.

Laurin Pussy-Cat

The fountain pen model Pussy Cat from the series Fantasía is a simple plastic pen, which is printed on its white barrel two anthropomorphic cat couple and several times the word Pussy-Cat. The barrel end, the grip section and the screw cap are made of pink plastic. Also, the metal clip is painted pink on the top and bears the word Pussy-Cat. The shape of the grip section, ink feed and nib are the same as those of the Model 854, but the nib now has only the IRIDIUM POINT stamping. No other reference to Laurin (or Pelikan) can be found on this fountain pen, only the blister pack bears the imprint Laurin.

Model Production Period Nib
Series Fantasia appr. 1987

Steel

Weight Total Length Barrel Length Cap Length Diameter Ink Capacity
0.34 oz 5.35 in 4.41 in 2.50 in 0.41 in 2 x 0.8 ml (cartridge)
9.6 g 136.0 mm 112.0 mm 63.5 mm 10.5 mm


PussyCat Series Production Color
Production: around 1987Nib: Steel Leaflet: SpanischLink opens PDF documentPelikan CATÁLOGO GENERAL
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: coloredCap Color: pinkTrim: pink

Laurin becomes Pelikan

In the mid-1980s, Pelikan took over the company Laurin in Waiblingen. Laurin produced youth and school pens in the lower price segment. After this acquisition, these youth pens were produced using the existing injection molds. Only the embossing or imprint on the clip or the cap changed from Laurin to Pelikan. By 2010, the plant in Waiblingen was closed and shortly afterwards the site was sold to an investor.

The example shows a comparison of a Laurin pen before the takeover and an almost identical Pelikan fountain pen after the takeover of the production plants. Only the imprint of the company name on the metal clip has changed.
The modular design of the fountain pen by injection molded parts made possible many small changes in the shape of the pen. The use of various colored injection moldings made it possible to create countless variants. All pens have the same shaped barrel, the same grip section and the same cap sleeve. The barrel's end and / or the end cap could be changed by attaching a hemispherical casting. The metal clip could be replaced by a plastic clip. Between the barrel and the grip, a metal ring or a plastic ring for an loosened look. Also colored nibs were intended to appeal to the then prevailing taste of youth.
All pen models shown here are made prior to 1993.

Model Production Period Nib
diverse Mid1980s until appr. 1990

Steel

Weight Total Length Barrel Length Cap Length Diameter Ink Capacity
0.25 - 0.27 oz 5.08 / 5.31 / 5.47 in 4.25 / 4.49 in 2.09 / 2.30 in 0.39 in 2 x 0.8 ml (cartridge)
7.1 - 7.6 g 129 / 135 / 139 mm 108 / 114 mm 53 / 58.5 mm 10 mm


Rose-Pink Series Production Color Details
Production: Mid 1980sNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: roseCap Color: pinkTrim: silver-colored

Metal clip with embossed 'Pelikan'

Light blue-blue Series Production Color Details
Production: Mid 1980sNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: light blueCap Color: blueTrim: silver-colored

Metal clip with embossed 'Pelikan'

Black Series Production Color Details
Production: Mid 1980sNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: blackCap Color: blackTrim: silver-colored

Metal clip with embossed 'Pelikan'

Light blue-blue 2 Series Production Color Details
Production: Mid 1980sNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: light blueCap Color: blueTrim: silver-colored

Metal clip with embossed 'Pelikan'

Lilac-Purple Series Production Color Details
Production: Mid 1980sNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: lilacCap Color: purpleTrim: silver-colored

Metal clip with embossed 'Pelikan'

Turquoise-Lightgreen Series Production Color Details
Production: Mid 1980sNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: lightgreenCap Color: turquoiseTrim: silver-colored

Metal clip with embossed 'Pelikan'

Turquoise-Lightgreen 2 Series Production Color
Production: Mid 1980sNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: lightgreenCap Color: turquoiseTrim: silver-colored
Red-Metal cap Series Production Color Details
Production: Mid 1980sNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: redCap Color: silverTrim: silver-colored

Metal clip with embossed 'Pelikan'

Red Series Production Color Details
Production: Mid 1980sNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: redCap Color: redTrim: silver-colored

Metal clip with embossed 'Pelikan'

Blue Series Production Color Details
Production: Mid 1980sNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: blueCap Color: blueTrim: silver-colored

Metal clip with embossed 'Pelikan'

Red Series Production Color Details
Production: End 1980sNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: redCap Color: redTrim: red

Imprint on cap 'Pelikan'

Blue Series Production Color Details
Production: End 1980sNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: blueCap Color: blueTrim: blue

Imprint on cap 'Pelikan'

Yellow Series Production Color Details
Production: End 1980sNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: yellowCap Color: yellowTrim: yellow

Imprint on cap 'Pelikan'

Red-Red Series Production Color Details
Production: 1985/1990Nib: Steel, green
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: redCap Color: redTrim: green

Imprint on cap 'Pelikan'

Pink-Blue Series Production Color Details
Production: 1985/1990Nib: Steel, pink
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: pinkCap Color: blueTrim: turquoise

Imprint on cap 'Pelikan'

Purple-Yellow Series Production Color Details
Production: 1985/1990Nib: Steel, red
Logo: Without Logo Series Production
Barrel Color: purpleCap Color: yellowTrim: purple

Imprint on cap 'Pelikan'

School pencil case

Also from the time of Laurin made school pencil cases that contain writing utensils and other writing equipment for school use. The pencil cases are made of unbreakable hard plastic. Elastic attachment clips facilitate the proper filling of these boxes. Numerous model variants were available in different colors and configurations. Thus, e.g. the models EE / 20, E / Luxe, E / 2010, ET / 2000, ET / 2020, ET / 2500 and ET / 3000 each have a simple fountain pen with permanent nib.

You'll find several pencil cases in the spanish catalogue from 1987.

Pelikan - Dauerfeder

These fountain pens from the lower price segment are equipped with permanent nibs (German: Dauerfeder). You are strongly reminded of the fountain pen P120 from the set derived from Pelikan Milan. Deviations from that model are the lack of a decorative ring between the barrel and the grip section, the missing metal crown on the cap end and a small flat at the grip section in front of the nib. Otherwise many parts seem to be from the same moldings. The embossing Pelikan and logo distinguish the otherwise identical flat metal clips.
The fountain pens were found in Bulgaria and Spain.

Model Production Period Nib
Dauerfeder Mid 1980th

Steel

Weight Total Length Barrel Length Cap Length Diameter Ink Capacity
0.30 oz 5.26 in 4.39 in 2.54 in 0.43 in 2 x 0.8 ml (cartridge)
8.6 g 133.5 mm 111.5 mm 64.5 mm 11 mm


Dauerfeder

Dauerfeder Green Exportmodel Color
Production: Mid 1980thNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Exportmodel
Barrel Color: greenCap Color: greenTrim: silver-colored
Dauerfeder Black Exportmodel Color
Production: Mid 1980thNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Exportmodel
Barrel Color: blackCap Color: blackTrim: silver-colored
Dauerfeder Yellow Exportmodel Color
Production: Mid 1980thNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Exportmodel
Barrel Color: yellowCap Color: yellowTrim: silver-colored
Dauerfeder Red Exportmodel Color
Production: Mid 1980thNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Exportmodel
Barrel Color: redCap Color: redTrim: silver-colored
Dauerfeder Yellow-black Exportmodel Color
Production: Mid 1980thNib: Steel
Logo: Without Logo Exportmodel
Barrel Color: blackCap Color: yellowTrim: silver-colored
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