For your consideration, we are pleased to offer for sale this scarce circa 2003 Sailor / Swisher Pens “Mojave Jewel” Fountain Pen—a highly collectible retailer-exclusive collaboration—presented here New in Box, Never Inked, in Mint, collector-grade condition, complete with its original box, ink cartridges, polishing cloth, and the original protective plastic sleeve in which the pen was originally housed.
To fully appreciate this piece, it is important to understand the era in which it was created. Around 2001, it became increasingly popular for U.S. fountain pen retailers to commission small-run, exclusive editions for their clientele. While online sales were beginning to gain traction, brick-and-mortar shops were still deeply invested in building customer loyalty through unique, limited offerings. During this period, companies such as Swisher Pens, alongside names like Fountain Pen Hospital and others, worked directly with Sailor to produce distinctive pens tailored specifically to their customer base.
Swisher Pens, seeking to follow up on an earlier high-end maki-e release, commissioned Sailor to create a more accessible yet equally compelling limited edition. Sailor responded with a striking acrylic material featuring a rich blend of cream, caramel, and deep brown tones arranged in organic, flowing patterns. The material immediately resonated, and the project moved forward.
In a particularly thoughtful approach, Swisher Pens privately contacted its established clientele prior to production, gauging interest and determining specifications. Through this process, the name “Mojave Jewel” was selected—an homage to the California desert, whose natural palette is beautifully reflected in the pen’s warm, earthy coloration.
The model is based on Sailor’s Magellan platform, a design produced from approximately 1990 through the early 2000s and positioned similarly to what would later evolve into the 1911 line. Slightly more slender and marginally longer than the 1911, the Mojave Jewel offers a refined, balanced profile—lightweight, agile, and exceptionally comfortable for extended writing sessions. The fountain pen measures 5 1/2 inches capped, 6 1/8 inches posted, and weighs .78 ounces. All trim is gold-plated and displays no wear, complementing the resin tones and lending the pen a cohesive, warm visual presence.
The resin itself is the true centerpiece—its layered, marbled composition evokes desert stone and mineral formations, with depth and movement that shift subtly under light. Each example is inherently unique, further reinforcing the individuality of the edition.
It is fitted with a Sailor 21K gold Hard-Medium (H-M) nib measuring approximately .69 mm when tested with digital calipers. The nib has never been inked.
The pen remains in Mint condition, with no cracks, chips, or repairs. The trim is clean and bright, and the overall presentation reflects careful ownership. The cap banding is stamped with, "Sailor Japan Founded 1911." The barrel is stamped with Limited Edition number 040/118. It retains its original packaging, completing the offering as a true collector’s set.
The Mojave Jewel occupies a unique and often overlooked position within Sailor’s history—born from a moment when retailer-driven exclusives flourished, produced in very limited numbers, and distributed quietly to a select audience. Today, examples rarely surface, and when they do, they are recognized for their distinctive material, historical context, and writing performance.
A compelling opportunity to acquire a scarce Sailor collaboration—rich in story, subtle in execution, and increasingly difficult to find in this level of preservation.
