Is This A Good Deal?

[chomann]

I have come across a Parker "51" vacumatic 10k gold filled cap blue diamond, black body. On facebook. I can't see the condition or the nib other than the closed (capped) outside due to photo. Non-engraved. They are wanting $60 is this a good deal on this pen given it may need extensive repair?

[pennut]

Seems to me you need to know more about the pen before paying $60 for it. As for me, I would want to see a good photograph of the pen with the cap off and with the cap on. I would also want to know about the presence or absence of dings in the cap. Additionally, I would want to see the condition of the filling mechanism. You can get pretty nice 51s for $75 to $95 so why take a chance on the one you described that you know little about. Hope this helps.

[Parker51]

Well, I would not make such a purchase, unless it was a local seller that would allow inspection prior to the completion of the sale. While the nib likely will be good, it is also highly likely that being a Vacumatic it almost inevitably will need work on the filling mechanism. Thus with postage and Service costs you are at a point over $100.00. This may be a fair price, but only if the cap has no brassing, scratches, or dents.

[JotterAddict62]

Others will chime in with more expert opinions.

For me as long as the cap has no or few dings/dents and I have started to restore the pens myself for my enjoyment

$60 would be on the high end for a pen that needs restoring. Like the first reply you need more photos, more intel.

Professional restoring is about $40 for the basics as my research uncovers. You can find a pen that is restored from

a dealer for the price as [ Pennut ] has stated.

I live in a good area for Parkers that I can get cheap so I will not buy any pens that need restoring over $50.

I just bought two P51 sets at an auction last week for $87.50 that I since restored.

This is my 2 cents. I would do more research before buying.

 

Ken

Edited July 19, 2014 by JotterAddict62

[CraigR]

To little information on the pen, I think. $60 is too much for one that has not been recently restored even with a gold filled cap. I would not buy a pen for that price without seeing the condition of the nib and the condition of the filling system. Vacs cost about $30 - $40 (plus postage) to have professionally restored (basic). I think you can do better for an unrestored "51".

 

$60 would be a fair to good price for a restored "51" in good condition. Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

 

Craig

[Runnin_Ute]

No direct experience with Vacumatic 51's myself, but from what I have been able to see the advice you have gotten is sound. Ask questions of the seller, see if you can get better/more photos. Is it restored? If so and it decent shape, perhaps $60 is fair. If not, might be a bit much.

 

I paid $42 for an aerometric 51 Special Fp/MP set in good shape recently.

Edited July 19, 2014 by Runnin_Ute

[chomann]

Thank you everyone. I ended up nabbing a restores P51 blue diamond vac for under 60 (talked down) and I also picked up a restored P51 "special" for only 35$ !

[CraigR]

Good work shopping!