So I started my new practice about 3 weeks ago and was frustrated as many of our lab and x-ray forms are multicopy forms. Fountain pens just weren't working out so I had to resort to ballpoints . I decided to buy another parker "51" after having sold my previous one. I received it today, am using it now, and it works for the multipart forms with minimal pressure . I'm a happy camper and now will probably have to buy more "51"s.

Dean

YAY! Anything but a ball point. (A nice first year Jotter would be ok )


15-20 more should be good.

Parker "51" and three part NCR sets = No Problems

You just gotta love the practicality of a "51"

Stupid question related to your 51. I have mostly vintage pens, so know nothing about new prices. I got my first vintage 51 a few weeks back. Today I saw a new 51 in a stationers, on special, down from £249 to £199. They only sell about four different pens so I was surprised to see it there. I'm so dumb, I didn't know there was a new 51. Is this a good price?

Relating to your actual thread (sorry!) I've ben amazed at the versatility of my 51 - behaves like a ballpoint wishes it could behave, but so much more elegant! Not my favourite pen but my most useful in day to day life!

Yes, there was a Special Edition issued back in 2002.
It came in either Black with a gold/silver cap or Vista Blue with a silver cap.
MSRP was $350. They pop up on eBay occasionally at around $250.
I have one of each (and 1 extra) and they are great writers.

But one pound is two dollars so this pen is really $400! I know UK prices are high but that's ridiculous. I think its mint though, but I'll stick with my vintage!

I think the 51 special is a nice looking pen, but for the price and quality there's no beating a vintage "51".

Dean

There were some barrel cracking issues with the first batch of Special 51's but I haven't had any problems with mine. MSRP is $350 found mine on ebay for about half that. Given the choice now I would buy several more vintage 51's instead.

Try first finding then buying a vintage Empire capped "51"!
I wonder how much that would cost?

I paid $175 for a Black "51" SE, and $125 and $105 for my Vista Blue ones.

If you are just talking about a "51" style FP that can put ink down on paper you can probably get 5 or 6 Lustraloy Aeros in black for the cost of my SE. But then we are back into the cost/benefit debate for looks and style over (or in addition to) function.

I believe a decent Empire cap 51 is around $2000 these days. Don't have one but would love to. Look for a nice early shiny sterling cap instead, those are still around in the $150-200 range. (Prices are my current guess for Nice, No Dings caps)

I wonder what a Smooth Sterling Silver capped pen goes for these days (the shiny silver).
I have several of the Lined Sterling Silver capped pens, but they were plated with rhodium and are not shiny.
The Lined SS capped pens generally go for $65+ on eBay (depending).

Thats why a lot of my purchases are either from the USA or Germany, pen prices in the UK are a bit silly with the exchange rate.

I seem to remember a thread where people were unhappy with the new SE 51, because it really was not a 51. So stick with vintage Ann, pick a couple up at the London show in October.

Can you point me to this thread?
I remember discussion about the filling system not being an aerometric system and that the nib was not a tubular nib inside a collector.
I don't recall anyone complaining about how the SE filled or wrote.

This from Parker "51" .Com

Also:

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...special+edition
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...special+edition
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...special+edition
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...special+edition

There you go, the collected wisdom on the 51 SE

That is exactly what I remembered.

To quote www.parker51.com:

1)"The pen created much controversy in the pen collecting community, as it was not a faithful reproduction of the pen and it was expensive."

2) "Overall the pen is a great writer and has done relatively well in the marketplace."

Depending upon which of these two "facts" is more important to you (and there seems to be ample evidence supporting both these statements) seems to be how one views the "51" SE.

I choose #2, as I like a pen that first and foremost writes, and therefore like the "51" SE very much.

How did you get your Parker "51" SEs at those prices? I am thinking to get one, but
the price tag scare me off.

Basically I want to ask what is the reasonable price range to buy a new 51SE or a used
in excellent condition.

I got all three of mine off eBay, the last one (the $105 Vista Blue) about a year and a half ago.

I have not looked for one lately so I don't know the going price.

You are so lucky. Now the lowest price I found on the Internet is around $260.