On Stylophilesonline, Bruce raised some good questions comparing pure esthetics vs rarity/demand for assessing pens, and the black Parker 51 was cited. Meanwhile Paul and I were gabbing by phone about how many Parker 51's seem to have accrued in our respective collections.

As part of hunting Parker Vacs and Parker in general, i have acquired a fair number of 51's over the years. Nice pens, though they don't hit on all cylinders for me. Still, once one learns to stratify cachet, the hunt takes on a power of its own.

So, i dug through the drawer and pulled up a bunch that are sitting in my own collection (NONE of these are for sale, thanks). Not every one is shown and dups were excluded, but still i believe this makes a nice spread.

After crossposting this, i see the "why are 51's special" post also onlist here. Besides new levels of engineering, promulgating a new look for pens, selling zeelions of 'em with a huge number of variations, they are pretty darn good pens. Just sad they lack stripes.

L to R

Gray "1st year" with early lined sterling cap
Cedar First year, smooth sterling cap (imprint at toip)
Cordovan Heritage windowpane gf cap
Cedar first year Wedding Band cap
Buckskin Beige
Yellow Stone Yellow (mustard) set with heritage windowpane GF cap with solid gold end trim
Nassua set with superb sterling caps
Single Jewel black "Jewelers Band" Mint stickered
Single Jewel demonstrator
(not shown- 1st yr demo- no room)

Move to Aeros

Signet all GF set
Flighter (mint stickered) all stainless set
Plum

Bottom

Vac fill Black DJ set with solid gold smooth caps

Beautiful! Thanks.

Ron

Dear Dr I,

Arrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhh

Jim

There you go Griz, stick that liitle lot in your pipe and smoke it :bunny1:

Thinks-- must get his address and break in some night. They are gorgeous

Only very ordinary pens David.
I wouldn't even bother putting them under lock and key

He'll never suspect