51 -vs- Vac

[Rockyrod]

Which is the rare bird, the 51 with Empire Caps or the VAC Imperial? I have been watching bay for about one year and I can remember many more of the Empire than the Imperial. Of course the price that an Empire brings makes most of those standout well above most other auctions.

[NABodie]

While I can't say which is more uncommon, I can say I am more partial to these beauties.

 

Parker Vacumatic Imperials

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4371111141_c4933947e8_o.jpg

[langere]

I think it depends on the 51s - there are rare ones and less rare ones. But overall, I think the Vacumatics are less numerous (you see, I'm fudging here - redefining your terms) than the 51s.

 

Erick

[Rockyrod]

I guess others think the VAC is outstanding as well.

 

ebay

[esterbex]

I guess others think the VAC is outstanding as well.

 

ebay

 

I dare say! And a pencil, too! Wonder what the pen went for...

[Glenn-SC]

(NB you KNOW what I'm going to say!)

 

Unfortunately I'd say the Empire capped "51" is both rarer (based on my observations of pens actually for sale/auction) and more expensive (don't ask).

[sumgaikid]

Actually there is one rarer that combines the best of both worlds--David Nishimura has had a

rare Vac Imperial w/an Empire State cap for sale at his website(Vintagepens.com). I think he

wants a mere $8000 for it.

 

 

John

[NABodie]

But I think thet rarest of them all is the Vacumatic Imperial Coronet. I've only seen one for sale, and it went by way of the backdoor off Ebay. Only the buyer and seller know what it went for.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4744941647_a2e89c94b5_b.jpg

[wekiva98]

I think the Imperial Vac may be more common than the Empire 51 -- it wasn't produced for as many years but it was a much more affordable pen. I don't have my 1940 catalog with me, but if I remember right, the Empire/Heirloom 51 was a $50 pen in the day, while the Imperial Vac cost $13.75. They aren't strictly comparable, since the Imperial Vac had a gold-filled cap, not 14K. The most direct comparison to the Empire 51 is probably the Vac Imperial Ensign, the pen that David Nishimura has for sale at $8000. It has a similarly patterned cap in 14K. You'll see hundreds of Empire 51s before you ever see another Imperial Ensign. As for the all-14K Imperial Coronet, I wouldn't be surprised if that photo filed above is the closest I ever get to seeing one.

Edited June 30, 2010 by wekiva98

[Rockyrod]

I went to David Nishimura's site to see the Imperial Ensign. What an incredable pen that is. If I had $8,000 in pocket change I would so have it. I think the term "Only in my dream" applies here.