I like the medium nibbed Burgundy pens of the P61/P51 type. However they seem to be less common and more expensive than the more commonly available black, blue or green.

Why?

Is it because fewer were produced, the plastic disintegrates quicker or other people prefer them too - so don't let go of them? Or any other factor? I'm confused & fed up that the colour I like is usually beyond my pocket.

Regards

Richard.

Green? Really?

I believe I've seen more Burgundy "51"s than Green.

I checked my stash.

I have a Mark I Type II, the barrel code is 51, and it has a gold filled blue diamond cap (obviously a mis-match).

and

I have a Late Mark I, with no barrel code, and it has a Lustraloy cap.

The answer is simple, you want a medium nibbed pen. Medium nibbed pens cost more than fine nibbed pens. Try and find yourself a broad nibbed pen like I have, and you'll see how much more you'll have to pay, regardless of the color of the pen. The English made broad nib on my "51" is so large, it is larger than the broad nib on my Pelikan M200. Larger (wider) width nibs and exotic nibs, like the stub or Arabic nibs, add significantly to the price of the pen.

My 61s bought on '78 one of which I write with daily have never given a hassle (the other 2 are on display). Although I did replace the shell years ago as the gold arrow popped out.

With 51's I agree, but teal, carribean green and black P61's seem to more common than burgundy. Well, more seem to be up for sale at lower final prices.


In the UK medium nibs seem to be more common than fine. I got a UK made broad nib P61 for no premium, and that writes as wide as my 1.1mm wide P51 stub nib (which I also got for no premium - but that's because the e-bay photo was so poor no-one could see what it was). Unlike the stub, the broad line width is the same on the vertical and horizontal strokes, and I find I have to write very large to make the writing readable.



My mother gave me my first P61 in 1978 (a burgundy custom), and it served as my only pen for 25 years. The barrel finally cracked & the shell became so porus I had to give up on it (except that I transplanted the nib into a P51). It's this pen I want to replace at an economical price.

Regards

Richard.

Same here, I have three one of which seems to have just parted company with it's breather tube, as it seemed to stop filling properly and when I shake it I can hear a faint rattle. Other than this I have a couple of black ones, a couple of blues (including a Vac) and a Cordovan Brown Aero, a bit tatty but only cost a £1 so not complaining.

Main problem I have is finding 51s with decent caps a couple of my burgundy ones are missing the jewels.

Andy