While in my Parker 51 period about 4 or 5 years ago,I picked up this pen on fleabay thinking that maybe I had won a
Parker 51 demonstrator. When I received it,even as a novice I could tell that it wasn't a 51 demonstrator at all. At the
time I thought that I had spent too much money for it and just put it away. Having been in this forum for a little while,I
have rethought my position on the pen and decided to post some pics of it to get an idea of who made it,when it was
made(my guess--in the 50's)and some opinions on it.
Here is the pen capped:
Click to view attachment
Here is the "Phoenix Special no. 3" nib:
Click to view attachment
The inscription on the side reads "HO+PE(N?)
Just underneath that--------------"Made in Japan
And underneath that--------------"Tokyodo"
(It is hard to see the inscription,hence the info):
Click to view attachment
I look forward to getting the info on it,and my thanks in advance to those who can tell me what it is.
John
Full Version: Vintage Japanese Demonstrator
Congratulations!
Wonderful pen. In Japan, the term demonstrator is not used and very few true demonstrators were made. For clear see-through pens like yours the term 'skeleton pen' is used. Like yours, most have plated nibs. although, I've seen one of two with 14K. Your pen looks like it's in excellent condition and will be a real eye-catcher when you take it to work.
They seemed to be relatively popular in the early 1950s and they have gotten harder and harder to find in such good condition. Made by many companies, they have as many brand names. If you're lucky you find with the name of the maker. I've seen Platinum, Rieyon, Platon, Victor, and a few others.
As a suggestion, do not use red ink unless you like a pink pen. Stick with blue as it is the easiest to clean.
Regards.
Wonderful pen. In Japan, the term demonstrator is not used and very few true demonstrators were made. For clear see-through pens like yours the term 'skeleton pen' is used. Like yours, most have plated nibs. although, I've seen one of two with 14K. Your pen looks like it's in excellent condition and will be a real eye-catcher when you take it to work.
They seemed to be relatively popular in the early 1950s and they have gotten harder and harder to find in such good condition. Made by many companies, they have as many brand names. If you're lucky you find with the name of the maker. I've seen Platinum, Rieyon, Platon, Victor, and a few others.
As a suggestion, do not use red ink unless you like a pink pen. Stick with blue as it is the easiest to clean.
Regards.
QUOTE (stan @ Aug 19 2008, 10:57 PM) 
Congratulations!
Wonderful pen. In Japan, the term demonstrator is not used and very few true demonstrators were made. For clear see-through pens like yours the term 'skeleton pen' is used. Like yours, most have plated nibs. although, I've seen one of two with 14K. Your pen looks like it's in excellent condition and will be a real eye-catcher when you take it to work.
They seemed to be relatively popular in the early 1950s and they have gotten harder and harder to find in such good condition. Made by many companies, they have as many brand names. If you're lucky you find with the name of the maker. I've seen Platinum, Rieyon, Platon, Victor, and a few others.
As a suggestion, do not use red ink unless you like a pink pen. Stick with blue as it is the easiest to clean.
Regards.
Wonderful pen. In Japan, the term demonstrator is not used and very few true demonstrators were made. For clear see-through pens like yours the term 'skeleton pen' is used. Like yours, most have plated nibs. although, I've seen one of two with 14K. Your pen looks like it's in excellent condition and will be a real eye-catcher when you take it to work.
They seemed to be relatively popular in the early 1950s and they have gotten harder and harder to find in such good condition. Made by many companies, they have as many brand names. If you're lucky you find with the name of the maker. I've seen Platinum, Rieyon, Platon, Victor, and a few others.
As a suggestion, do not use red ink unless you like a pink pen. Stick with blue as it is the easiest to clean.
Regards.
Stan,
Thanks for your information! I had forgotten(tho' I've seen the term here before)that they were called skeleton pens. Is
the name as I put it (HOPE?)correct? Also what is the reference to Tokyodo?
Forgot to mention--the pressbar in the filler is missing. Can one be made for it?
John
Tokyodo means 'Tokyo Store'. Likely, meaning nothing more than they were made in Tokyo. Hope is probably a brand name and the pens was sold in numerous stationary outlets.
If the press bar is gone, you most likely will need a new sac and casing, as they were often attached inside the casing. It is hard to figure how the squeezebar could be missing. I have seen it possible to work a few out from the opening in the casing. They can be salvaged from other pens but, usually the squeezebars and casings for the skeleton pens were larger than those of standard models. I have some where there is less than the width of paper between the casing and the inside of the barrel.
Keep looking around. You might find one on Yahoo Japan. Or, if you can send me some dimensions I'll look and see if I have a spare or two. It is an easy fix.
If the press bar is gone, you most likely will need a new sac and casing, as they were often attached inside the casing. It is hard to figure how the squeezebar could be missing. I have seen it possible to work a few out from the opening in the casing. They can be salvaged from other pens but, usually the squeezebars and casings for the skeleton pens were larger than those of standard models. I have some where there is less than the width of paper between the casing and the inside of the barrel.
Keep looking around. You might find one on Yahoo Japan. Or, if you can send me some dimensions I'll look and see if I have a spare or two. It is an easy fix.
QUOTE (stan @ Aug 20 2008, 12:53 AM)
Tokyodo means 'Tokyo Store'. Likely, meaning nothing more than they were made in Tokyo. Hope is probably a brand name and the pens was sold in numerous stationary outlets.
If the press bar is gone, you most likely will need a new sac and casing, as they were often attached inside the casing. It is hard to figure how the squeezebar could be missing. I have seen it possible to work a few out from the opening in the casing. They can be salvaged from other pens but, usually the squeezebars and casings for the skeleton pens were larger than those of standard models. I have some where there is less than the width of paper between the casing and the inside of the barrel.
Keep looking around. You might find one on Yahoo Japan. Or, if you can send me some dimensions I'll look and see if I have a spare or two. It is an easy fix.
If the press bar is gone, you most likely will need a new sac and casing, as they were often attached inside the casing. It is hard to figure how the squeezebar could be missing. I have seen it possible to work a few out from the opening in the casing. They can be salvaged from other pens but, usually the squeezebars and casings for the skeleton pens were larger than those of standard models. I have some where there is less than the width of paper between the casing and the inside of the barrel.
Keep looking around. You might find one on Yahoo Japan. Or, if you can send me some dimensions I'll look and see if I have a spare or two. It is an easy fix.
Thanks,Stan. I'll get the dimensions and give you a message.
John
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