Here is one i have not played with for a bit.

Parker 51. Not a bogus Demo, not the well more common all-clear single jewel 1946-8 pen, but a First Year Demonstrator. Backdrop is David and Mark Shepherd's Parker 51 book, page 98 or so.

I've probably owned 8 of the all-clear later Demos. Have seen couple dozen, not to mention all the fakes. Probably though have seen but 2-3 of this sort, though no doubt more are out there.

regards

david i
http://www.vacumania.com

Please tell me this isn't yours...

it is mine.

d

yawn....


just another 51....

Yawn,

just some chiltons. Soooo many images lying around. Gotta do something with them. Maybe imprint some tissues

d

That was funny. Curse you David!

Would you know the ballpark range of a first year demo?

2K, 3K?

I would think less than that, even in today's vigorous "51" market.

Of course, i would only sell such a pen to a serious "51" fellow

Still, while this thing is waaaay more scarce than the all-clear SJ models, the price/rarity slope for most vintage pens is usually well less than 1 to 1. Meaning, 1/10 as prevalent does not translate into 10x price. Too bad. $5k for this would go long way towards paying for my sushi habit

d

your collection is mazing

Hole in my bank account amazes me too sometims


d

So, David... out of curiousity, what does an all-clear 51 sell for... not in pristine condition, just a decent user?

Again, the pen market allows for a pretty wide range of value.

Note, many fake 51 vac filler (the all clear) sort are out there. WHile it is not clear that all real ones MUST have a manufacturers imprint by the clutch ring, ones lacking that are... suspicious.

I supsect today the typical collector trade price on an all-clear would be around $400-550 in excellent. Flaws cut value. But, in a market in which ebay has seen $900 for flippin' sheaffer Snorkel Demos, it is possible things would go hot on that site.

Dunno. I happily will grab the all-clears $250+ wholesale if true excellent.

regards

d

naw, the demo 51 is pretty cool. I think the best part is seeing the shellac on the threads of the clear hood. I bet this is a $1000-$1200 pen, maybe with some fluctuation.

You guys, remember, with the exception of my sig pen, I use a lot of Parkers, like a jae duofold senior, today (for St. Patrick's day) and my flightr set, and a Mandarin senior, whatever seems to fit my mood.

Those chiltons are great. Where did you get those David?

Rick, we will never know...