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The "what Did I Just Buy Game?"


WayTooManyHobbies

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So, I was browsing the 'bay last night, as sometimes happens while winding down for the evening. The pen in the following pictures, identified as a vintage Parker, popped up. While the photo quality is poor, it looks like a "51" demi to me. Would anyone else like to hazard a guess before it arrives?

fpn_1397684503__16april_img1.jpg

fpn_1397684704__16apr_img2.jpg

fpn_1397684727__16apr_img3.jpg

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Too bad they didn't include a photo showing the nib from the top....

Moshe ben David

 

"Behold, He who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps!"

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I agree that it is a Demi. I'm also guessing, based on the cap with the wide lip, that it is a late Vacumatic from around 1947. It could also be an early Aero from around 1948.

Parker: Sonnet Flighter, Rialto Red Metallic Laque, IM Chiseled Gunmetal, Latitude Stainless, 45 Black, Duovac Blue Pearl Striped, 51 Standard Black, Vac Jr. Black, 51 Aero Black, 51 Vac Blue Cedar, Duofold Jr. Lapis, 51 Aero Demi Black, 51 Aero Demi Teal, 51 Aero Navy Gray, Duofold Pastel Moire Violet, Vac Major Golden Brown, Vac Deb. Emerald, 51 Vac Dove Gray, Vac Major Azure, Vac Jr. Silver Pearl, 51 Vac Black GF Cap, 51 Forest Green GF cap, Vac Jr. Silver Pearl, Duovac Senior Green & Gold, Duovac Deb. Black, Challenger Black, 51 Aero Midnight, Vac. Emerald Jr., Challenger Gray Pearl, 51 Vac Black, Duofold Int. Black, Duofold Jr. Red.

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Looks like a Demi to me too.

 

Also looks like a chipped hood. I hope I'm wrong. :unsure:

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

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It does indeed seem to have a chipped hood - too bad, but the price was low enough that I won't complain too much. It should arrive next week, so I will post a follow-up. The horrid nib close-up on the listing (not included here, but you can see the original listing via the link below) seems to show an undamaged nib. Here's to hope!

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VintageParkerFountain-Pen-Black-/111325405766?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=YHXHF3q4U6s7nCBRGpwU6F9uWVk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

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It could be a replacement nib too.

 

The usual way the hoods are chipped are the pen is dropped, impacts the underside of the nib which pushes the nib up and into the hood chipping it.

 

The Demi replacement hood will cost more than a standard one as there are less of them.

 

You can reshape the hood to "repoint it". Remove as little material as possible to have it still look the most presentable. While that Can adversely affect the flow, it probably won't affect it any more than the chipped end already will. (IF it will.)

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

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Based on the "chubby" appearance, my guess would be that it's a 51 Vacumatic Demi. If that's true, it'd be shorter but of the same girth as a full-length 51 Vacumatic and would take the same cap (and hood, for that matter).

 

The hood might be chipped, but then again the nib and feed may just be rotated out of alignment with the hood- difficult to make that determination from the pics.

 

If the hood IS chipped, black 51 Vac hoods are pretty easy to find- Ernesto at parker51.com has them for $20 and it's likely that you could find somebody here on FPN with one in the parts bin who'd work with you (PM me on this if you need to).

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while...
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It's fun to play this game with someone else's money. Aaaawww, that pen has such a cheerful smile.

"Don't hurry, don't worry. It's better to be late at the Golden Gate than to arrive in Hell on time."
--Sign in a bar and grill, Ormond Beach, Florida, 1960.

 

 

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As luck would have it, I already have two 51 Vacs, a 51 Vac Demi, and a 51 Aero Demi, so I will be able to make direct comparisons. Perhaps a "family portrait" would be in order.

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The pen came, and it is a 1947 Demi Vac. The cap matches my other Demi Vac - funny to have two of these, given that they were only manufactured for a couple of years.

fpn_1398025324__p51s20apr14.jpg

From the left, a 1941 DJ Vac, and 1944 Vac, a Demi Vac, the new baby, and a Demi Aero.

 

The pen does seem to be in reasonable shape, with a very clear imprint. The nib looks good, but the hood is definitely slightly chipped. On examination, the hood seems to be the same as my full size vacs, so I plan to order one from Ernesto Soler. Overall, I'm reasonably pleased for the price.

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A wonderful group of pens.

"Don't hurry, don't worry. It's better to be late at the Golden Gate than to arrive in Hell on time."
--Sign in a bar and grill, Ormond Beach, Florida, 1960.

 

 

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