It’s our anniversary
180 years Pelikan!
Pelikan, a company of long-standing tradition, has been making history for 180 years now.
Pelikan, a company of long-standing tradition, has been making history for 180 years now. On 28 April 1838, with the release of the first price list for his paint factory, the chemist Carl Hornemann laid the foundation for the success of this world renowned traditional company from Hanover, Germany
2018 is a special year for us – on 28 April, Pelikan turned 180 and can now look back at a history that is not only very long, but has also been very eventful. It all began long ago when the chemist Carl Hornemann founded a paint and ink factory in Hanover. Business activities were launched with the publication of the first price list on 28 April 1838 – and, with them, the history of a successful brand that is now known all over the world.
For everyone who would like to have a closer look at the success story of Pelikan
Our interactive company history, as well as the book on brand history, provide a full overview of the past 180 years of Pelikan.
New discoveries from the Pelikan archive
Previously unknown letters from the originator of the brand, Günther Wagner, to his successor Fritz Beindorff have been discovered in the company archives. Also among the discoveries was the original Wagner family coat of arms, which was probably used as an indentifying mark on honey paints for children even before 1873.
Pelikan works with care and passion to help make the world a better place.
It was Günther Wagner himself who, on the basis of his family coat of arms, designed the PELIKAN pictorial trademark for his “Small Honey Paints”. Günther Wagner took the number of three chicks in the nest for the PELIKAN pictorial trademark. Honey paints were a type of watercolour, common at the time, in which honey was used as a binder. According to an 1873 price list, small round pans of honey paint were offered in tin boxes containing 12, 18 or 24 different colours, the paint pans being glued to the metal of the box. In designing the trademark, Günther Wagner abandoned what he called the “oval” shape of the shield on which the pelican was displayed in his family coat of arms.
After the birth of a fourth Wagner child a further chick appeared in the nest – as can be seen in the oldest PELIKAN trademark known until now, which was registered on 27 November 1878.
1838
Carl Hornemann's
first ink factory
In 1832 Carl Hornemann founded a color and ink factory in Hanover, Germany; although it is tradition to consider 28th of April 1838 as the founding date.
1842
Early success
enables expansion
On the 15th of June, Hornemann purchased some property in the Hainholz area of Hanover.
1863
Dedication
to Education
Günther Wagner was promoted to chemist and plant manager. He took over the company in 1871.
1878
Trademark registration
on November 27, 1878
The pelican with its four chicks, is one of the oldest trademark registrations in Germany.
1873
Little honey colors
Günther Wagner designed the the PELIKAN pictorial trademark for the “Small Honey Paints”, based on his family coat of arms.
1881
Expansion of
international business
The production halls were enlarged. The company employed an additional 39 people and Fritz Beindorff. It was his job to visit customers in Austria, Russia and Italy.
1895
Fritz Beindorff takes over
Fritz Beindorff married Günther Wagner’s oldest daughter in 1888 and took over the company, and introduced a new line of copying, stamping, sticking and erasing products.
1896
Pelikan Indian ink
becomes a best seller
Pelikan started to produce Indian ink, winning a strong presence on the market.
1898
1st poster competition
The first poster competition of 1889/99 is a resounding success for the company, over 500 designs were submitted.
