Parker 51 Convertable Desk Pen?

[TommyJ]

Having problems uploading a picture? Not sure why? Here’s the eBay listing:

 

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Vtg-Parker-Elongated-Brown-Fountain-Pen-Gold-Cap-Blue-Diamond-Estate-Sale/303324683640?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

I just bought a Parker 51 which has not been a reason for me “to stop the presses”, we’ll maybe a few times. I’ve been collecting for about 25 years since I was in my early 20s. I’ve been blessed to have owned some wonderful pens by nearly every major maker in the world, both vintage and modern, but it finally got out of hand after a while, both in terms of pens and money. So, I decided to downsize from about a thousand, at the time, to 1 less than will fit in one of my 12 Delta leather 40 pen cases - 39, mostly modern and a couple of vintage.

 

Well, long story short, I’m 46 now, and have been unable to work for just over a year, after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and now last month Sarcoidosis. So I’m back into researching and enjoying my favourite old hobby - pen collecting.

 

Now here’s the first question in what will probably be a long line of them. 😉 Now it might be my brain going a little flat line, or I simply can’t remember this pen. I have the P51 book but it’s in storage. I know I owned 5-6 Duofolds, and a Pelikan that were convertible - a desk pen that you unscrew the taper, replace it with a blind cap, and put on the regular cap - and you’re good to go with a pocket pen.

 

I was wondering if this is a Parker 51 convertible desk pen? Thanks to the seller for the pics. If it is, I think I’ll invest in a blind cap and single desk stand. I really appreciate it if anyone could give me an answer.

 

Thanks in advance for any help. And now that I have more time on my hands I’m afraid I might become a pest around here! 😁

 

Thanks friends!

TJ

Edited October 30, 2019 by TTJ

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

To me this looks like a Parker “51” desk pen with a cap instead of a desk pen base. (Desk pen taper installed vs a normal blind cap)

[joss]

It looks like a common Parker51 Vac desk pen indeed. As far as I know, the Parker 51 desk pens were sold as dedicated desk pens, so they did not come with caps or blind caps (in contrast to the late 1920s - early 1930s Duofolds which could be bought in a kit that included a desk pen base and a taper allowing to convert the pocket pen into a desk pen).

 

Parker 51 desk pens are also essentially convertible if you have the right extra parts. In this case, it might be challenging finding a blind cap that exactly matches the cordovan brown colour of the barrel.

[TommyJ]

Thanks very much my friends for the help! I think I’ll buy a stand for it anyway and toss the cap in the old parts pile!

 

Cheers

TJ

[pajaro]

I have used desk pens with caps to carry them around the house for years. Sheaffer Imperials, 51 aeros and 51 vacs all can be used like this with a 51 cap. the 51 cap works on those Sheaffers too.

[joss]

Thanks very much my friends for the help! I think I’ll buy a stand for it anyway ...

 

 

That's an excellent plan. The cordovan brown P51 desk pen also stands out a bit more than the black version.

 

Is there a date code on the pen? If you aim finding a period correct Parker 51 Vacumatic base, you may have already found this page at Parker51.com as a start for your desk base search:

http://parker51.com/index.php/51s/desks/