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Parker 51. Irresistible Design Icon Or Ugly Duckling?


Woodster

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If ever a design seems to polarise opinions it's the Parker 51. I pulled out a black 51 with a rolled silver cap last week to use during a meeting and had a "what on earth is that thing?" from one colleague whilst another visiting from Germany asked whether she could get hold of one whilst in London and was it a current model!

 

As you can see, I absolutely love them! The 1948 Plum Demi needs a decent service but all the others are fully functioning and rotated.

 

 

post-89682-0-45171100-1397923257_thumb.jpg

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Nice collection!!!!!! I vote irresistible design.

 

edit to add: this topic has been brought up several times before, so in addition to the responses here, you might also enjoy reading the previous FPN threads on this subject, Cheers!

Edited by cellmatrix
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Anyone who truly believes the 51 is an ugly duckling is simply devoid of any style recognition.

 

It has 2 permanent exhibits in Design museums, that illustrates the opinions of Professionals of Aesthetics.

 

To say someone doesn't appreciate the hood relative to writing with it is one thing. To say the pen is an ugly duckling is just ignorance talking.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

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When I first started out here I thought it was exquistly ugly. Now I love the design of it. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I appreciate the design features are actually functional e.g hooded nib for closer grip and/or less nib drying out.

 

It would be argued that you'd have to be ignorant for calling someone ignorant for not liking the design ;)

Edited by MBFan

<img src='http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/606/letterji9.png' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /><span style='font-family: Arial Blue'></span>Colourless green ideas sleep furiously- Noam Chomsky

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Anyone who truly believes the 51 is an ugly duckling is simply devoid of any style recognition.

 

It has 2 permanent exhibits in Design museums, that illustrates the opinions of Professionals of Aesthetics.

 

To say someone doesn't appreciate the hood relative to writing with it is one thing. To say the pen is an ugly duckling is just ignorance talking.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

That's a mighty high horse you're on there. You know, there's such a thing as differing senses of aesthetics, different cultural preferences, and these things change over time for the same people as different schools of design come and go. It's accurate to say that the Parker 51 is a stellar example of one school of Western design philosophy, but it's utterly impossible to claim that it's the pinnacle of pen beauty and design for everyone worldwide, and insulting the people who don't think the design is all that is incredibly rude.

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Remember KISS [ Keep IT Simple Stupid ]

I am a person that likes simple function pens [ No Flash ]. I think [ know ] I have more P51 Pencils than P51 Fp's.

That is another story.

 

Ken

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That's a mighty high horse you're on there. You know, there's such a thing as differing senses of aesthetics, different cultural preferences, and these things change over time for the same people as different schools of design come and go. It's accurate to say that the Parker 51 is a stellar example of one school of Western design philosophy, but it's utterly impossible to claim that it's the pinnacle of pen beauty and design for everyone worldwide, and insulting the people who don't think the design is all that is incredibly rude.

 

The statement that there is Nothing ugly about a Parker 51 is pretty close to an established fact for me.

 

That's someone doesn't appreciate that style does Not change that fact.

 

This is a difference between saying something is ugly and saying you don't appreciate the style. Someone can say they don't appreciate say an Andy Warhol, but to say a Warhol is ugly IS, yes, stupid.

 

If you find my analysis of what I see as fact as insulting, that's your prerogative, that wasn't my intention.

 

You sound awfully accusatory.

 

I'd suggest Decaf.

 

Bruce

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Aah!

The genius of designer Lazlo Moholy Nagy. Bauhaus school of art.

Beautiful set of 51s woodster.

Edited by Cluedoh
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I recently got my first 51, a black Aerometric. It has a wonderful design that looks as fresh today as it did when it first came out. The only thing I'd change on the pen is to replace the medium octanium nib with an extra fine. Perhaps I can find one at the Columbus, Ohio pen show later this year.

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Aah!

The genius of designer Lazlo Moholy Nagy. Bauhaus school of art.

Beautiful set of 51s woodster.

 

Sorry Nagy had nothing to do with the design of P-51 other than he liked it.

 

If any One person designed the P-51 it was Marlin Baker.

 

[EDIT] Here is Baker patent. http://www.google.com/patents/US2223541

[EDIT EDIT] That is only 1 of Baker's 8 51 patents. He basically patented everything that made a 51 a 51.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

Edited by OcalaFlGuy
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IF I'm on any "high horse" in my vehemence that the P-51 Cannot be ugly, I'd say I'm in good company. (Snipped from Richard's site)

 

P51Richardandugly.JPG

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

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I think those items which are at the panicle of their style are often polarizing. Look at structures designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for example, or a Stickley designed and built Morris chair, they are polarizing. I love all these things, of my four kids two scratch their heads and say 'whadever', one says 'ugly', and one says 'cool' (likes the chair, the Wright structures he could take o or leave)

 

The word iconic is dreadfully overused, however I think it fair to say that the P51 was certainly at the pinnacle of that style, as were Stickley and Wright. I am sure the works of all three have received many awards but can't back that up with any research. But that fact that the have received these awards (form people who are deemed to be 'in the know') validate that they are all iconic, and thus, polarizing. Seems most people love or hate them, and a few can take them or leave them.

 

Funny I was writing just last night (I swear on a stack oh plum 51's!) about this subject. I remarked that I really like the style of the pen I was using, a Pelikan 100n from the 50's and that it had seemingly no connection to any style which could be ascribed to the new century and that I have not yet been bowled over by anything exhibiting a 'style' that could be associated with the new century. I didn't say that kids dressed head to toe in black from chez Good Will, or pants that sag down waaaay below the butt are ugly, but if I had, someone of the new century might have said I was 'stupid'.

 

I like P 51's. But I like Bauhaus and craftsman style better, they are all iconic. I wonder if FUBU baggy pants, and wearing a ball cap with a flat brim sideways will someday be recognized as iconic?

 

Perhaps I am just stupid for pondering something so ugly.

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IF I'm on any "high horse" in my vehemence that the P-51 Cannot be ugly, I'd say I'm in good company. (Snipped from Richard's site)

 

P51Richardandugly.JPG

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

The fact that an old white male American likes something does not mean it is representative of universal taste (seriously, I don't understand how this is hard to understand), however intelligent, experienced and renowned he may be, Richard Binder is a great guy and knows a lot about pens, but his preference for one school of design doesn't mean anything about that school of design for another person. Appealing to authority to back up an aesthetic judgement can't work because aesthetics are always a personal judgement.

 

 

The statement that there is Nothing ugly about a Parker 51 is pretty close to an established fact for me.

 

That's someone doesn't appreciate that style does Not change that fact.

 

Bruce

ugly

[uhg-lee]

adjective, uglier, ugliest.

1.

unattractive or unpleasant to look at; offensive to the sense of beauty; displeasing in appearance.

 

Not liking the way something looks (or not 'appreciating the style', whatever you want to call it) is actually the literal definition of ugly, which is always a subjective quality depending on the taste of the speaker (there's no such thing as objective ugliness, because it's an aesthetic judgement and therefore always subjective).

 

It's great that you like the Parker 51, but making grandiose claims about how it's the pinnacle of pen beauty forever and ever amen is simply foolish.

Edited by WirsPlm
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My father owns two Parker 51s that he purchased back when they were new pens. They both have a sac inside filled by a lever on the side.

 

I honestly don't care for the pen at all. The clip is nice, but the rest of the pen just doesn't appeal. I know it has engineering that is supposed to be clever. I dissected one of the pens way back just to see all the parts. But, it seems like a lot of trouble just to keep Superchrome ink from drying out.

 

They were certainly common pens in their day, and I'm glad they have their fans, but I just have no interest. Apparently I'm ignorant and devoid of style recognition.

Proud resident of the least visited state in the nation!

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I think those items which are at the panicle of their style are often polarizing. Look at structures designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for example, or a Stickley designed and built Morris chair, they are polarizing. I love all these things, of my four kids two scratch their heads and say 'whadever', one says 'ugly', and one says 'cool' (likes the chair, the Wright structures he could take o or leave)

 

The word iconic is dreadfully overused, however I think it fair to say that the P51 was certainly at the pinnacle of that style, as were Stickley and Wright. I am sure the works of all three have received many awards but can't back that up with any research. But that fact that the have received these awards (form people who are deemed to be 'in the know') validate that they are all iconic, and thus, polarizing. Seems most people love or hate them, and a few can take them or leave them.

 

Funny I was writing just last night (I swear on a stack oh plum 51's!) about this subject. I remarked that I really like the style of the pen I was using, a Pelikan 100n from the 50's and that it had seemingly no connection to any style which could be ascribed to the new century and that I have not yet been bowled over by anything exhibiting a 'style' that could be associated with the new century. I didn't say that kids dressed head to toe in black from chez Good Will, or pants that sag down waaaay below the butt are ugly, but if I had, someone of the new century might have said I was 'stupid'.

 

I like P 51's. But I like Bauhaus and craftsman style better, they are all iconic. I wonder if FUBU baggy pants, and wearing a ball cap with a flat brim sideways will someday be recognized as iconic?

 

Perhaps I am just stupid for pondering something so ugly.

 

Iconic of bad descisions and leg injuries maybe? Although 70s clothes keep trying to make a comeback around here so who knows, there's always someone who wants to stand out so badly they'll make poor clothing choices

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It's great that you like the Parker 51, but making grandiose claims about how it's the pinnacle of pen beauty forever and ever amen is simply foolish.

 

Please do not put your own wording into My mouth.

 

Saying the 51 can't be considered ugly isn't in the same galaxy as your statement.

 

Again, I would appreciate you losing your accusatory tone towards me. Unless you are just Trying to get this thread locked down.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

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My father owns two Parker 51s that he purchased back when they were new pens. They both have a sac inside filled by a lever on the side.

 

I honestly don't care for the pen at all. The clip is nice, but the rest of the pen just doesn't appeal. I know it has engineering that is supposed to be clever. I dissected one of the pens way back just to see all the parts. But, it seems like a lot of trouble just to keep Superchrome ink from drying out.

 

They were certainly common pens in their day, and I'm glad they have their fans, but I just have no interest. Apparently I'm ignorant and devoid of style recognition.

 

Really. This cannot be THAT difficult.

 

Can you Really Not See the difference between "I don't care" for the look as you put it and saying, "That is ugly." If you are truly incapable of understanding the difference between those two, there's not much I can do to make it more clear.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

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Please do not put your own wording into My mouth.

 

Saying the 51 can't be considered ugly isn't in the same galaxy as your statement.

 

Again, I would appreciate you losing your accusatory tone towards me. Unless you are just Trying to get this thread locked down.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

Can't be considered ugly is the same thing as saying that it's the pinnacle of beauty, it's claiming that no one can be indifferent to or dislike the look (maybe you're using a different definition of ugly - I'm using the dictionary.com definition I quoted earlier of 'unattractive').

 

As for my supposed trying to get the thread locked down...you're the only person in this thread who's been insulting people (calling anyone who disagrees with your assessment of the P51 'devoid of style recognition' and 'ignorant') and who just keeps repeating that because you (or Binder) thinks something it's true instead of engaging with the logical issues people have been pointing out in your assertions.

 

It's great that you like a certain pen's look very much, but trying to claim that anyone who thnks differently is ignorant or unable to understand design is quite offensive, and the way you're phrasing your posts isn't helping at all.

Edited by WirsPlm
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I knows what I likes, and I find some 51s easily resistable. Perhaps the later ones may be considered a purer design, but I really love the embellishments earlier 51s got; the aluminium speedline fillers, nice cap etchings, the blue diamond clip, the DJs, that gold washed clutch ring... even just having a date code etc. All those little accents that set off the sleek and understated shape.

Latest pen related post @ flounders-mindthots.blogspot.com : vintage Pilot Elite Pocket Pen review

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