Pilot - PILOT Elite POSTING & PILOT Elite MANIFOLD - Fountain pen

Item Description:

This lot brings together two vintage Showa-era PILOT "Elite" fountain pens, each fitted with a solid 18K gold nib but engineered for a completely different purpose — a fascinating pairing for collectors interested in the specialist writing tools Japanese manufacturers once produced for professional and everyday use.

Pen 1 — PILOT Elite, "Posting" Nib (18K Gold)
The nib is clearly engraved "POSTING," confirming its purpose: writing on thin Japanese postcard stock. This nib is stiff rather than flexible, with a subtly downward-turned tip that regulates ink flow and prevents feathering on delicate paper. It's a wonderful example of Japanese pen-making tailored to a very specific everyday task — sending New Year's cards and correspondence on lightweight stationery.

Pen 2 — PILOT Elite, "Manifold" Nib (18K Gold)
The Manifold nib was built for a different kind of precision: firm, unyielding, and engineered to apply consistent pressure so that carbon-copy duplicates could be produced cleanly through multiple sheets. It has none of the springiness of a flex nib — durability and consistency were the design goals. The black-and-gold body shows clear signs of age and handling.

Both pens are finished in classic black resin with gold-tone trim, in keeping with PILOT's Elite line from the mid-20th century. As with all vintage pieces, please review the photographs closely, as each pen carries the honest wear of decades of use.

Size:

Pen 1 (Posting):
Height: 11.5 cm
Diameter: 1.2 cm

Pen 2 (Manifold):
Height: 12 cm
Diameter: 1.2 cm


Condition:

Pen 1 (Posting) shows typical wear consistent with its age, including light surface marks to the cap and barrel. Pen 2 (Manifold) shows more pronounced surface scratches and wear to the cap and metal fittings — please examine the photographs carefully to assess condition before bidding.

Artist Profile:

PILOT Corporation, founded in Tokyo in 1918, is one of Japan's oldest and most respected fountain pen manufacturers. Renowned for pioneering nib engineering — from the ultra-fine "Posting" nib made for postcard correspondence to specialized "Manifold" nibs built for carbon-copy durability — PILOT's mid-century "Elite" line reflects the brand's attention to purpose-built writing instruments for professional and personal use across Japan.

Shipping Note:

The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by DHL, FedEx, or Japan Post depending on the situation.

It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

Sometimes Customs or the delivery company in your country may contact you for customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you can answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it will cost double the shipping fee for reshipping.

I appreciate your cooperation.