Pilot Elite Black Fountain Pen, 14K Fine Nib, New

Pilot Elite Black Fountain Pen, 14K Fine Nib, New

Here is one of Pilot's most famous pens ever, the pen that started the "short type" or "pocket pen" boom. This is the Pilot Elite in classic black and gold. Every collection of Japanese pens should have at least one Pilot Elite. These pens set the standard for most other Japanese pens from the mid '60s through the '80s.

The Elite line went through many design changes during its lifetime, but one constant, distinguishing feature of the Pilot Elite was the Elite script logo on the cap. It was always there regardless of the design changes to the rest of the pen.

Pocket size pens like this were very popular in Japan from the 60's to the 80's. The Pilot Elite started this boom. As the diagram below illustrates, they have a short barrel coupled with a long nib section into which the ink cartridge fits deeply. The long cap corresponds to the length of the nib section.

When capped, these pens are the perfect compact size for carrying in your pocket. When the long cap is posted on the short barrel, these pens become full sized, and perfectly balanced for comfortable writing. Although no company produces them today, Japanese pocket pens are enjoying new popularity in the west now as collectors and users recognize the ingenuity of this practical design.

According to a '70s Pilot advertisement, the black and gold Elite was the perfect pen for Socrates. Yes, THAT Socrates. Whatever...

over 30 stroke kanji

This pen is new old stock (NOS). The "new" refers to the fact that it has remained in its unused state since it left the factory, and the "old" refers to the fact that it has been around for a number of years (in this case, it has been in storage, waiting for a buyer) making it both a new and an old pen. It comes with its original price sticker. There is no date stamp on this pen, but it could not have been produced any later than the 1980s.

This pen takes standard Pilot / Namiki ink cartridges or an ink converter for those who prefer bottled ink. I will include an ink cartridge with this pen.

Optional Ink converter
I can include a Pilot / Namiki standard squeeze type converter (CON-20) for an additional charge. Just add $4.00 to your Paypal payment in the "Seller Discounts (-) or Charges (+)" area, and include a note to remind me what the extra money is for. (Some people have said their invoice will not allow them to add an extra amount; If you have trouble, you can always initiate a new Paypal payment for the amount of the converter alone or for both the pen and converter together). If you want to find a vendor who sells ink or converters, click on the "ME" icon near my name to begin your search.

Don't be the last on your block to own a Pilot Elite! Don't give other pen collectors reason to snicker behind your back. If they do, let it be because of your funny hair, or the way your mommy dresses you, but not because you don't yet have an Elite.

Length capped: 11.9 centimeters
Length, cap posted: 14.9 centimeters

Don't forget to take a look at my new listings!
As this auction closes, a new one begins. I will give multiple shipping discounts for pens bought during separate weeks but sent together by EMS (the second and third pens ship for free this way). So be sure to check my newest listings for the upcoming week before you log out!

Beware! Some bidders have received bogus second chance offers or alternate payment instructions with a different payee address! If you have any doubt about a message that claims to have come from me, just contact me directly through ebay. Please forward any bogus messages to spoof@ebay.com to help fight this problem.

The ebay shipping calculator does not always give correct rates for items sent from Japan, and my multiple shipping discounts are also not shown. Please use the shipping costs indicated in the chart below if it differs from what ebay tells you. There is no need to contact me about shipping costs, the information is all here in the chart.

EMS (Express Mail Service) Asia N. America Australasia Europe Middle East S. America Africa 1 - 3 items $11.00 $14.00 $17.00 $20.00 4 - 6 items $14.00 $17.00 $20.00 $22.00 This will be designated as Standard Flat Rate Shipping on your invoice. EMS is handled as high priority mail, includes tracking number, is insured, and usually takes less than a week from Japan, depending on your location (please don't hold me responsible for delays caused by customs inspectors in your country). Remember this package will have to travel around the globe to reach you, and that reality is reflected in the shipping fee. If you think this shipping price is too high, then please choose the cheaper standard air mail option. Some buyers have opted for EMS shipping and then have left me a poor star rating for shipping and handling fees when they had a cheaper option. This is a mystery to me. Multiple Item Shipping Discounts: Your ebay generated invoice may not show the multiple item shipping discount. In that case, just type in the correct shipping amount on your Paypal payment before paying. If you want to combine items won during different weeks for the multiple item shipping discount, please contact me as soon as possible. If you simply withhold payment, I'll have to assume it is an unpaid item.

Payment methods:

I accept Paypal payments. If you have any questions, please contact me before you bid.

Returns:

No returns unless I misrepresented the item. If I have found any flaws in the item, I will mention them in the description (so please read the description).

International buyers please note:

Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up - do not confuse them for additional shipping charges.

Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying.

Shipping timing:

My work schedule is arranged to favor those who pay for their items quickly. Those who pay within 24 hours of the end of the auction are usually serious about receiving their items quickly, and their items will be sent out within 24 hours of payment. If you wait a few days to pay, I will send the item the next time I have a chance to get to the post office during business hours, which is usually no more than a day's delay unless it's a weekend; the local post office is closed on weekends. Bottom Line: If you want to receive the item quickly, then please pay quickly.

Communication:

I am often away from my computer doing other work. Also, you and I probably live on opposite sides of the globe, so I may be sleeping when you are at your computer. Please understand this if I don't respond to your messages immediately. This goes especially for Sunday (which is probably your Saturday) when I stay away from the computer all day. With every transaction I always send an invoice, a message to acknowledge receipt of payment, and a notification that the item has been sent. I also answer all questions. Sometimes e-mail from me ends up in spam folders, apparently because my domain is "dot CC" and not "dot COM". Please check your spam folder if you haven't received a reply.

Mistakes and feedback:

We all make mistakes. If you discover a problem with your order, please contact me, and let's work it out. No seller wants to first hear about a problem by reading a feedback comment. And there is no need for threats or rude language. Most of my buyers are great people who come back again and again, but I have also had buyers who were unreasonable and vindictive who didn't understand fountain pens, and thought there was a problem with the pen when there was no problem at all. But some buyers would rather give negative feedback than work it out with the seller, so some unwarranted negative feedback is unavoidable. They are like battle scars. Every scar has a story. Go ahead and check the feedback comments to discover the story behind the scars.

English spoken here

English is my first language, so you can be assured of smooth communication. People have asked me to help them with problems they had with pens bought from Japanese ebay sellers because they could not communicate. Please have a heart! I am not the customer service department for Japanese rival sellers. Rule of the thumb: If the item description which presumably had the benefit of proofreading and editing is incomprehensible, don't expect things to get any better in direct communication.