Parker 45 Set

[majorworks]

I've had this set for a few weeks but haven't gotten around to taking or posting pictures, poor as they may be. I picked up this Parker 45 set from a neighbor who runs a small jewelry store and dabbles in antiques. It cost me $20 (I had to make her take the whole $20). How did I do?

 

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/major_works/IMG_20121205_121707.jpg

 

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/major_works/IMG_20121205_121757.jpg

 

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/major_works/IMG_20121205_121844.jpg

 

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/major_works/IMG_20121205_121923.jpg

 

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/major_works/IMG_20121205_122109.jpg

 

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww62/major_works/IMG_20121205_122021.jpg

[jbb]

That's simply lovely. I think you did great! I'm a big fan of Parker 45s. :clap1:

[majorworks]

Thanks! I'm pleased with it. It's my first and only 45. The pen and pencil are both very clean, no scratches, marks, or anything, really. The little paper insert and converter were under the tray, too. The converter seemed new and unused but when I flushed the pen, I got some blue ink. So I guess someone had a cartridge in it. The pencil seems NIB. The eraser is dried out but unused.

 

I've got Pelikan Royal Blue in it for starters. It writes smoothly. All good!

[nickapos]

I think you got a bargain. Enjoy your 45. I am to add one of my burgundy 45's in my rotation tommorow

[jbb]

Does it have a steel nib or a gold one?

[Joe in Seattle]

Nice! I have a SS FlighterAnd that is one of my sweetest writers.

[majorworks]

Does it have a steel nib or a gold one?

 

The nib is a steel medium. It wasn't *that* good of a deal!

Edited December 5, 2012 by majorworks

[JRW711]

Just acquired my first Parker 45 with a SS nib, a silver cap, gold clip and navy body. It cost $15. After cleaning it, I installed a cartridge. Once the ink was "drawn" out with an occasional water dip, it writes smoothly...no skips, jumps or other problems. I am not sure if I will like the pressure fit cap as compared to a screw on type cap. I am not sure what these sell for, but I believe I got a fair deal. My newest "addiction" grows.....

[Amberjack]

Very nice!

 

P45s are one of the best bargains going today and are great writers as well.

 

AJ

[majorworks]

Just acquired my first Parker 45 with a SS nib, a silver cap, gold clip and navy body. It cost $15. After cleaning it, I installed a cartridge. Once the ink was "drawn" out with an occasional water dip, it writes smoothly...no skips, jumps or other problems. I am not sure if I will like the pressure fit cap as compared to a screw on type cap. I am not sure what these sell for, but I believe I got a fair deal. My newest "addiction" grows.....

 

I'd always heard that 45s were great little pens, and our mutual experience bears that out. I, too, am on the fence about the cap. Can any of the more experienced 45 owners comment on whether the fit of the cap loosens up a little over time? With mine, I have to give it a pretty good push to get the cap all the way on, and likewise a firm tug to get it off.

[OcalaFlGuy]

[nxn96]

First of all, congratulations on a nice 45 set. I'm not surprised that the converter was unused but there was some ink residue when you flushed the system. Who wouldn't have wanted to give this new gift a try when it arrived, and well, there was the ready-to-go cartridge? Well, that's what I did...

 

The 45 is, to my mind, a much under-appreciated Parker series; particularly those produced in the era when Parker was more focused on the 51, 61, 75etc., as the "better" end of the line. They were, but, there was a lot of good engineering and build quality in the 45 line. If you look at the history of the 45, it "crept up" to the middle to upper middle end of the Parker pen line over time, while still maintaining its "schoolpen" base.

 

Again, it sounds as if you've got a really nice pen.

[wvbeetlebug]

Very nice!

[Motomo]

Few weeks ago I bid on a random auction for a Parker 45 set in black...it was just one of those late night ebay impulse buys...turns out, unlike the normal train wreck of my impulse buys, that it has become one of my favorite pens...since I have bought two more in other nib sizes and one for a coworker....I think you did quite well

[MCameron]

First, for $20 you got a heck of a good deal. Next, I wish everyone would stop extolling the virtues of Parker 45s! If more people appreciate these pens, then more people will buy them. That would be bad...because I want them all!

[79spitfire]

First, for $20 you got a heck of a good deal. Next, I wish everyone would stop extolling the virtues of Parker 45s! If more people appreciate these pens, then more people will buy them. That would be bad...because I want them all!

+1!!

[ajcoleman]

congratulations! I have several 45's and particularly enjoy carrying matching sets -- I wish more pens came with matching pencils!

 

It is pretty normal in my experience for the pencil eraser to be too dried out to use. If you want to replace it, I have found that the vinyl eraser from a Bic disposable pencil is a pretty close fit in many cases. A regular size Autopoint pencil eraser is another option. It is a bit too large in diameter, but is soft enough to shave down and make fit pretty easily.

 

Enjoy!

[lbr218]

I'm quite jealous!! I really want another 45, and the gray looks really nice.

[M@rtin]

Congratulations!!! enjoy the set

[majorworks]

Thanks, everyone, for the comments. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos.

 

The same neighbor from whom I acquired the 45 set tells me she's got another Parker of some flavor and a Sheaffer to show me. She's not a pen person so she couldn't describe them well or name models. I'll report back when I've had a chance to check them out.