Pilot Super - 1953-1958

We became interested in the Pilot Super because a good range of interesting nib types were offered, the design was classic and appealing, and they were relatively inexpensive. The variety of available colors make them even more fascinating. No special effort is made to add them to our collection. They are added as they come in lots of pens purchased.

The model was introduced in 1953 and was the flagship pen for the Pilot Pen Company during the 1950s. Makie models were introduced in 1958 and limited editions produced up to 1972 (Lambrou, FPOTW). Both men's and women's models were made. Nib types included COARSE, SOFT, SCRIPT, SIGNATURE, POSTING, MANIFOLD, FALCON, and MUSIC.

The photograph below shows some in our nascent collection. As you can see there is room for more and we will add them as they become available.


From left to right:

  • Super 350: Black.
  • Super 250: Black. Fenestration on cap band.
  • Teal Green
  • Black. No notation other than Pilot.
  • Super 200: Forest Green
  • Super 150: Flesh. Clear section. All of the Super 150 are slightly shorter and have a narrower girth. Marked PILOT immediately above bottom of barrel.
  • Super 150: Light Brown
  • Super 150: Coral.
  • Super 150: Reddish Brown. Coral-like pattern. PILOT and Logo on barrel.
  • Super 150: Dove Grey (not included - coming)
  • Seirei-nuri (Dragonfly wing)
  • Super Lady: Black over Gold. 1960. More below.
  • Urushi - rubbed: More below.
  • Starry Sky: Limited Edition. 1969. More below.
Cap bands for all, except the Super 250, are stamped with the Pilot logo and R14K.
      
All Pilot Supers above except,                           Super 250, marked PILOT R14K  no logo
  
There also exists a Super 100 and Ultra 500 that are not part of this survey at this time.

Let's start with the pen on the far right in the tray above. Made of coin silver for the department store Isetan in 1969, it is called Starry Sky. The black is lacquer over silver.

Next is a model with three layers of lacquer, black-gold-black rubbed to expose the lower layers creating the concentric patterns.



The design of the Super Lady is black lacquer over gold fill that has a clear lacquer applied to the surface as a protective coating.



Seirei-nuri design was introduced with the Pilot Super and has been used on each succeeding model until this day.



Pilot Super Makie. Sold at Yahoo Japan Auctions. Note bird design.






Pilot Super Makie. Sold at Yahoo Japan Auctions.




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