Parker
Pens and Ephemera

We don't think we can call this a pure-bred Parker Challenger. It seems to us that some long-ago repair person fitted it with a new cap band and section. We don't think that Parker Challengers ever came with an ink-view window. And although this section fits well in the barrel, the grip seems a size to small for the barrel. Regardless, we restored it with a new ink sac. ANNNND, it is a great writing pen with a delightfully smooth medium-point 14k gold nib! Our vintage pen shows the wear of past hard work, but there are no cracks. Ready for more hard work, this pen can make for a great daily driver. 13cm capped.

Probably the most successful fountain pen model of all time is the Parker 51. Efficient, effective and easy to use these pens are elegant workhorses. Our vintage pen is in excellent working order with its original "pli-glass" ink sac. The pen shows moderate wear from regular use, but there are no cracks or scarring deep scratches. You will write a very nice, smooth fine line with its 14k gold nib. An ideal pen for someone who is vintage-pen curious or an experience pen lover who wants a pen that just won't quit. 13.8cm capped.

Could this be the first model of ballpoint pen to go by the moniker of Parker Duofold? We think it might be. This is a British production from the 1950, after Parker in the United States discontinued the Duofold name. Instead of a clicker such as the famous Parker Jotter of the same era, this pen's whole cap acts as a clicker. Our vintage pen remains in good working order and comes with a working black Parker ballpoint refill. The photo looks great, but there is a fair amount of surface wear on the pen. No cracks or anything exceptionally ugly. 13cm.

Parker Duofolds were the most popular pens of the 1920s, but not everyone could afford one. The Parker Lucky Curve was a more affordable option. It is the thinner, less flashy version. We don't know if this is its original box, but it is a great vintage box with instructions. We restored the vintage pen with a new ink sac. The main part of the cap and barrel are black permanite, and the section and end caps are black hard rubber. Click the headline for close-ups. You will write a nice fine line with its 14k gold nib that also flexes just a little. Light wear on the cap and barrel. Looks pretty sharp. 13.4cm capped.

The ingenuity of Parker Vacumatics is so much fun for us. Using vacuum pressure with a diaphragm, these vintage pens fill an entire barrel with ink. Their stunning art deco design also satisfies our vintage hearts. This is the golden pearl design from 1945. We restored the pen with a new diaphragm. No cracks, no brassing, no engravings, no deep scratches. Only light wear from use is visible on the celluloid. There are some scratches on the top of the 14k gold nib. However, you will write a very nice extra-fine line. The barrel clarity is almost non-existent. Click the headline for close-ups. 12.7cm capped.

When people discuss the Parker 51, they are usually focused on the revolutionary fountain pen. However, the Parker 51 is a pretty dang neat pencil, too. This vintage pencil is a nice black with steel cap and gold-plated trim. Twist the tail cap to extend and retract the pre-loaded red lead. This pencil takes any color .9mm lead, though. It has a little wear from use but nothing terrible. No spare leads or hardened eraser, though. 13cm.

With a crisp, clean imprint from 1940, this Parker Vacumatic Debutante looks stunning. We just restored it with a new diaphragm, and it is ready to rock your world. Emerald Pearl is the name of the color pattern, and it is such a vibrant green. The barrel is ambered, but you can still see through it. This vintage pen still has its aluminum speedline filler. You will write an extra-fine line with light feedback. Click the headline for a close-up of its 14k gold nib. No cracks, chips or deep scratches. 11.8cm capped.

Golden Pearl is always one of our favorite Parker Vacumatic colors. This Parker Vacumatic Debutant set looks stunning. The vintage pen is fully restored with a new diaphragm, and the cap and barrel sport minimal wear from use. No brassing, but the barrel is a bit ambered. The dating on this set is great, as it was made on the cusp of 1939. The barrel imprint on the pen says 1st quarter 1939. The two-tone 14k gold nib sports a 1938 date. And the working clicker pencil has a Q4 1938 date code. You will write a nice medium line with the nib, by the way. Remember, the Debutants are the smallest of the Vac models. Pen measures 12cm capped.