Parker
Pens and Ephemera

Don't be so quick to blow past this rather average looking Parker 51 set. More than a double-jewel set from 1946, these writing instruments offer something extra special. A very close examination will reward you with hallmarks for solid 14k gold. The caps are gold-filled, but the pocket clips, tail-jewel tassie and pencil's nose cone are all solid 14k gold! This was a special upgrade feature that is rather uncommon in the wild these days. We are selling these pens for our friend and legendary pen repairman Stuart Hawkinson who replaced the diaphragm in the vintage pen. No engravings mar the caps. The pen cap is dent free. The pencil has a small impression on the back of the cap. Under close examination the pen shows a fair amount of wear from use but no cracks or ugly scars. You will write a nice extra-fine line with the 14k gold nib of the pen. The pencil uses 1.1mm leads. Click the headline for a close-up.

Now if you really like Parker pens, this early Parker 20 made between 1906 and 1910 out to be the pen for you. It is a mottled hard rubber design with super crisp imprints. You won't find many pens this nice from this long ago. It is an eyedropper pen with its original "Lucky Curve" inkfeed intact. Click the headline and you can see its cap imprint and nib. No cracks. Museum worthy. We haven't dipped the nib, as we don't know who would actually want to write with such a pristine early Parker. Using the thumb-nail test, the nib separates easily from the feed meaning it loses inkflow. The feed can be heated to get tighter against the nib, but, again, this is so old and nice, why risk doing damage? 13.6cm capped.

There's a little something special about this Parker 51 from 1946. Click the headline for a close-up if it doesn't jump out at you. Its "lustraloy" cap has a "stacked coins" cap band! These aren't impossible to find, but they are uncommon. We restored this vintage pen with a new diaphragm. We find it fills a beat more slowly than other 51 Vac-fillers. It is just a quirk of this pen. You will write a nice extra-fine line with its 14k gold nib. There is minimal feedback with a light tough. The harder you write the more feedback you feel...which goes without saying for most all pens. There is a little wear on the cap and barrel, but there are no dents, deep scratches or cracks. Some of its original enamel is still in the clip's diamond. 13.7cm capped.

In 1987 modern Parker struck gold with its Parker Duofold Centennial pen line to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Parker Pen Company in 1988. In many respects, this pen revitalized the company as a luxury brand. Plus, by basing the new design on vintage Parker Duofolds, it was the perfect touchstone for vintage and modern pen collectors. This marble blue pen is a Parker Duofold Centennial MKI. It likely isn't the 1988 model, as only 50 were made and given to notable individuals. However, it was a very early one as evidenced by its short pocket clip and 18k gold nib markings on the nib. Under the nib is an 83 on the feed, which means this was a medium nib. Click the headline for close-ups. Only light surface wear from use. Includes converter. You will write an insanely smooth medium line. 13.5cm capped.

For the past several decades Parker Sonnets have been the company's old reliable for everyday writing. Some models get a little special extra treatment. This is a Chinese lacquered model that was only released for a limited time. We find it especially attractive. This one appears to be new old stock. No ink on the nib or in the converter. Minimal if any wear from sitting around for the past couple decades. It comes with a box and papers. We haven't written with its 18k gold nib, but it is marked "M" for medium. Click the headline for close-ups. 13.3cm capped.

Its imprint is faded, but we think we spy a 1951 date code on this Parker 51 fountain pen. There's a burgundy barrel with a gold filled cap. The cap looks pretty darned good, but you can see some big scars on the pen's hood. Click the headline for close-ups. Happily enough, the aerometric filler is still working great with its original pli-glass sac. You will write a nice smooth medium line with its 14k gold nib. There's a pearl-grey "jewel" on top of the cap. 13.7cm capped.

Here's a rare treasure from way back in 1906! We love the gold-filled filigree on this Parker 33. This pen clearly did not experience the 1906 earthquake that destroyed San Francisco. However, the top of the cap has some sizable spots of brassing from wear. There's a little brassing near the tail, too. We polished them out, but it won't stay gleaming without continued polishing. Click the headline for a close-up of the original 14k gold nib. We love the old-timey "Lucky Curve" script. There are no engravings on the initial plate of the filigree. Only slight chocolate hazing of the black hard rubber. No cracks. The section unscrews easily. You will write an extra-fine to nearly 2mm wide line with its flexible nib. It isn't a wet noodle. 13.9cm capped.

Parker was rather genius for resurrecting its classic Duofold design for a modern luxury pen. Our Parker Duofold Centennial in burgundy is a handsome classic. We love the way the sparkly acrylic burgundy undulates under a light as your rotate the cap or barrel. Our pre-owned luxury pen comes with its original box and papers. There's a Parker converter in it, too. You will write a nice medium line with its two-tone 18k gold nib. No monogram or significant wear. 13.5cm capped.