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Parker Vacumatic Identification

drwright

By drwright
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drwright Mint

drwright

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I have bought two Azure Blue Vacumatics, and am trying to figure out what model they are (I know it can be a tricky thing, sometimes). I've looked on Richard binders site, but that hasn't clarified it for me.

 

The shorter pen on bottom is from 1945. It measures 5 1/16" capped and 5 3/4" posted. I'm assuming this is a Major, correct?

 

The longer pen is from 1942 and measures 5 9/32 capped and 6 1/8" posted. It also has a two tone nib. Would this pen be considered a Maxima? (Richards site says Maximas were Speedline fillers, which this pen isn't, it has a black plastic filler)

 

Thanks!

Dan

post-72980-0-81463200-1405185800_thumb.jpg

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ANM Antique

ANM

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The pen appears to be circa 1942 major. If it were a maxima, it would have a wider cap band.

Older majors and maximas would have the speedline filler.

Edited by ANM

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time. TS Eliot

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ANM Antique

ANM

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I think the short one is a standard size.

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time. TS Eliot

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Florida Blue Collectors Item

Florida Blue

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So they would both be Majors, just different sizes?

 

That is correct.

 

The top pen is what collectors call a "Long Major."

The bottom pen is a standard size Major (as ANM stated), but they are both Majors.

 

The Long Major was made from 1938 until 1942. It is often confused with the Slender Maxima because they were essentially the same size, but have different nibs and cap bands. Great pens. Congrats!

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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usk15 Collectors Item

usk15

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Also the Maxima should have 9 feathers on the Parker logo printed on the nib. Any other standard Vacumatic would be 7 feathers.

 

The picture is from www.(bleep).com

 

 

http://www.vacumania.com/SlenderMax/NibComparo.jpg

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ANM Antique

ANM

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HMMM. I have a pen with a Major cap and a Slender Maxima nib.

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time. TS Eliot

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Albinoni Vintage

Albinoni

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Is the largest Parker Vacumatic about the same size as a Montblanc 146.

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Florida Blue Collectors Item

Florida Blue

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Is the largest Parker Vacumatic about the same size as a Montblanc 146.

 

The largest Vacumatics were about 139mm long and about 16mm wide (Senior Maxima), but I don't know how that translates to a MB 146.

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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ANM Antique

ANM

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MB 146 is longer but not as wide as a Senior Max.

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time. TS Eliot

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penmanila Antique

penmanila

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The 1942 single-jewel Senior Maxima had a narrow (vs the usual wider) cap band, and yours could be that pen. The key is the big nib. A later plastic plunger would be okay, as David Isaacson often points out. The Long Major would have the smaller nib, and the Slender Maxima would be double-jeweled and have the wider cap band. I'll take a comparative shot of all of these variants when I can.

Check out my blog and my pens

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Brian-McQueen Vintage

Brian-McQueen

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The 1942 single-jewel Senior Maxima had a narrow (vs the usual wider) cap band, and yours could be that pen. The key is the big nib. A later plastic plunger would be okay, as David Isaacson often points out. The Long Major would have the smaller nib, and the Slender Maxima would be double-jeweled and have the wider cap band. I'll take a comparative shot of all of these variants when I can.

 

Keep in mind that the single-jewel Senior Maxima is still a chunkier pen. It would be noticeably wider than the Major below it if it were a Senior Maxima.

Check out my article on the Sheaffer Snorkel in The Pennant magazine!

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Moonraker Near Mint

Moonraker

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I absolutely LOVE the azure blue vacumatics. It may be one of my favorite pens out there.

 

Speaking if which, what's the price range for the standard size vacumatic in good condition? Is it 100-200? Or less than 100?

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Florida Blue Collectors Item

Florida Blue

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I absolutely LOVE the azure blue vacumatics. It may be one of my favorite pens out there.

 

Speaking if which, what's the price range for the standard size vacumatic in good condition? Is it 100-200? Or less than 100?

 

You could probably find a nice, restored Azure Blue Major for around $80-$120.

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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usk15 Collectors Item

usk15

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OK, sorry about that...Meanwhile something happened with original picture. I will try to find and post it again.

 

Can a Moderator remove that picture, please? post #7.

Edited by usk15
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