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 D400 is the traditional mechanical pencil of the Souveran range with gold trim, operated by a push button mechanism with eraser under the cap. It takes a 0.7mm refill, weighs 18g and measures 13.6cm in length. It comes in a gift box and is accompanied by Pelikan's three-year warrantee.