My First Parker51 - From '51

[MightyEighth]

This past weekend at the Baltimore Pen Show I picked up my first vintage Parker, an aerometric teal 51 from '51 (Q3). I think it's in great shape and it's a real pleasure to hold and to write with. The teal color is very appealing as well, and I like how it varies with lighting. I'm not positive about the nib size, but I'll guess it's a fine (sorry for not having a writing sample here), which is nicely smooth. Just like the slightly curved etch in the cap from the rotational play in the clip ring, this pen puts a persistent smile on my face :-) I'm truly happy to have it.

 

- Marc

 

 

Edited March 6, 2018 by MightyEighth

[CraigR]

Great pen! I love my 51s

[shamwari]

Congratulations Marc!

 

I got my first "51" two weeks ago, a 4th quarter 1950 black one with a custom cap (and, I think, a fine nib) and I love it - it comes to work with me everyday and I make as many notes as I can, just for the sheer pleasure of using it.

 

A wonderful pen.

 

Best

 

James

 

ps I love the teal colour of yours.

Edited March 6, 2018 by shamwari

[inkstainedruth]

Very nice. My first 51 was also a Teal, although mine has a gold-filled cap. It was an eBay win from a few years ago, thanks to coaching on how to evaluate the listings -- and what questions to ask -- from FPN member OcalaFlGuy (and also he'd run his eye over the listings and advise me as to what the pens *should* be going for price-wise).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: Fair warning though: It may be your first, but it is likely to NOT be your last/only 51....

Edited March 7, 2018 by inkstainedruth

[pajaro]

Your next one should be midnight blue. It's a bit darker, though, than 1549.

Edited March 7, 2018 by pajaro

[MightyEighth]

Very nice. My first 51 was also a Teal, although mine has a gold-filled cap. It was an eBay win from a few years ago, thanks to coaching on how to evaluate the listings -- and what questions to ask -- from FPN member OcalaFlGuy (and also he'd run his eye over the listings and advise me as to what the pens *should* be going for price-wise).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: Fair warning though: It may be your first, but it is likely to NOT be your last/only 51....

 

 

Your next one should be midnight blue. It's a bit darker, though, than 1549.

 

It's funny, but this pen is so nice that I feel no craving for the next one. You're all probably having a good laugh at that.

 

What does 1549 refer to?

 

- Marc

[JotterAddict62]

Nice pen..

[Methersgate]

My first 51, a black and gold Mark One Aerometric, is still having the last ink soaked out of the collector, but I did try writing with it - halfway through the soaking /cleaning process, using the old ink that it was spewing out! what a revelation! I fear it will not be alone for long.

 

Is there a Broad Oblique nib?

Edited March 7, 2018 by Methersgate

[JayHomeBody]

Congrats! 51's are such great pens! I have one that I won right here at FPN, from a pif!

[Florida Blue]

My first 51, a black and gold Mark One Aerometric, is still having the last ink soaked out of the collector, but I did try writing with it - halfway through the soaking /cleaning process, using the old ink that it was spewing out! what a revelation! I fear it will not be alone for long.

 

Is there a Broad Oblique nib?

 

 

Parker did offer a factory broad oblique for the 51, but I imagine those are quite hard to come by. I don't think I've seen one myself. Most 51s you will come across with have either fine or medium nibs. UK 51s seem more likely to have broad nibs.

 

To the OP, nice pen! That teal color always struck me as very mid-century.

[mariom]

My first 51 was also teal, and I clearly remember my excitement when I won it about 3 years ago in a flea-bay auction for $51. It now has several companions to keep it company, both Aerometric and Vacumatic. These things are quite addictive.

 

Currently in rotation is a fine navy grey Aerometric with a GF cap, inked with Visconti blue and sharing my daily carry case with a matching mechanical pencil (amongst other pens). I just love the way something made nearly 70 years ago still works flawlessly. It's a testament to both the design and build quality that Parker put into the 51.

[inkstainedruth]

 

 

Parker did offer a factory broad oblique for the 51, but I imagine those are quite hard to come by. I don't think I've seen one myself. Most 51s you will come across with have either fine or medium nibs. UK 51s seem more likely to have broad nibs.

I have an English-made Navy Gray Aero that has an OM or OB nib on it (and it cost more than the other ones did, even including repairs on a couple of them. But agreed -- all my other ones are EF, F or M nibs.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[mitto]

Congrats on your first 51. I would be waiting to hear from you a year or so later how many 51s you own.