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i just saw this patent on ebay, and was wondering if this duofold was ever really made by parker:

Hi everyone! I'm in the market for a nice Senior sized striped duofold. I'm particularly interested in the blue pearl version! Are there any places in Australia who may have a nice one of these? Or anywhere great in the states or other overseas areas? I have been waiting for a reasonable one on ebay but no luck. I can't quite post a WTB yet here, but will once I hit that (30) mark. Lastly, what price are we looking at if we're being fair? Thank you so much!

This Orange Parker Duofold Centennial Special Edition is what I would call a reasonably priced collectors pen. Somewhere between sane & insane. If you take a close look, it's a lot, but it's not much. Is it plain? -yes. Is it simple? -yes. Are there any other pens like it? -yes. Are there any other pens exactly like it? -no. Would I buy a pen if it was a homage? -no. Would I get a MacArthur Limited Edition for 4 times more? -no. Does it compliment my Japanese Pilot Maki-e theme? -no, yes & maybe. But if I close my eyes & think Parker, I imagine Orange Vulcanite or Orange Permanite. How would I picture the most perfect Parker? Pilot Custom 845 Ebonite Urushi, from Parker, in Orange, with 3 thin rings; 1 medium & 1 thin ring; or 1 medium ring. A 2 tone nib, in a maple wood box. The only thing I know that is worse than fountain pens are leather pen cases. Probably my lack of knowledge, but the only one I've seen that I liked was Maxwell Scott, The Pienza in Chestnut Tan or Dark Chocolate Brown. -so if you know better, please tell me. We don't have fountain pen shops or a fountain pen culture where I live. The only place I know where they can seriously markup fountain pens, only sell Montblanc in their physical shop & their shop is older than me. So what about Parker Maki-e? -if you can't get away with more than Pilot could get away with in 1979, I'm still unsure about getting a Pilot Taka (although, they're SUPER NICE), so anything beyond what a Montblanc 149 costs, is like getting a Painting. As I said before, my theme is supposed to be Pilot Maki-e & I already have too many non-Pilot Maki-e. If this hobby is to last me a lifetime & I can't get a decent price, or be bothered with the risks involved in selling used pens. I better choose carefully the pens that I want to collect, for the sole purpose of admiring them, every now & then. I wanted to do this with watches, but servicing an expensive watch every 3 to 5 years, feels like punishment. If I start from the bottom & slowly work myself up, I might enjoy & understand the value & workmanship. It's only expensive because we believe that it has value. Otherwise it's Supply & Demand. A Rich, Dead, Artist, who can't Authenticate his own work. Or a Poor, Unappreciated, Artist, who can't get paid or sell anything.

As is my habit, I pulled the trigger on this pen and then began the deep research into its provenance and Duofold Maximas on the whole. A couple of questions: 1. The Maxima is said to have been released in 1958 to replace the Senior, correct? I have a nib imprinted with 1957. What gives?? 2. I was reading that the barrel is imprinted with something along the lines of "Parker Duofold Maxima/Made in England" and yet mine does not have that (the only thing is a rather cool reference to the 26th Colchester Sea Scouts which seem to be the UK's seafaring boy scouts -- fine with being wrong here). Thoughts on the above or why this might be the case? Is my 1957 in fact a Frankenstein's monster of a pen? See attached for pics. Thanks for the help and consideration!

I was shopping online at Parker website-USA. I was looking at the Duofold section when I realized that there were two versions of Duofold: International and Centennial. I looked at both of them and couldn't find the difference. What is the difference between a Parker Duofold International and a Parker Duofold Centennial? Thanks.

I recently found a local online antiques seller selling all sorts of used pens. Among the huge pile (it literally was a pile) he has I recognized a Vacumatic and got it from him for the equivalent of around US $ 4. Well, it did has a snapped-off feed and missing the nib. But it was the first Vacumatic I found for sale locally and at that price is practically nothing. Not long after that, he offered me another Vacumatic, this time seemingly complete, and a red marble Duofold. He asked only $ 20 for the lot and it's now in the mail. But now, I'm having second thoughts on the authenticy of these stuff, since they're so cheap. A quick search read told me that there aren't really any fakes of the Vacumatics and Duofolds. Are these really the case? I'll post pics when they arrive

Introduction I recently had an opportunity to act as an enabler by helping a colleague and friend of mine acquire a special custom fountain pen. This particular gentlemen has a very fine collection of writing equipments including models from almost all premier brands and certainly a few Parkers. But his heart was set on acquiring a classic all ebonite Duofold in glorious orange hues but with a contemporary filling system. Since such a chimera doesn't exist in the real world, we set about creating a pen that looks and behaves like a modern Duofold Centennial but with an orange ebonite cap and barrel with black finials. We approached Mr. Manoj Deshmukh of Fosforpens who was willing to take up the challenge. Since this pen was meant for someone else. I didn't dip it or ink it to test the nib. Hence I wont call it a full review in the true sense of the term. Instead, let us consider this a pictorial essay of the pen that was finally created. Design The Duofold is a classic design and has spawned innumerable variants and knock-offs for over ninety years ever since it first appeared in the scene circa 1921. Any fountain pen enthusiast is well aware of the design and words cannot express its simplistic but sophisticated elegance. So instead of subjecting my limited vocabulary to unnecessary stress, I will let the pictures do the talking. http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g346/prithwijitchakiPrithwijit/Fountain%20Pen%20Reviews/Fosfor%20Duofold/IMGP5199_zps2pvd355h.jpg http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g346/prithwijitchakiPrithwijit/Fountain%20Pen%20Reviews/Fosfor%20Duofold/IMGP5200_zpscyiraq2a.jpg Size and Balance At 137mm capped, the Duofold would be considered a mid-sized pen by contemporary standards. Being made of ebonite makes the delightfully light and easy to handle. It is superbly balanced and comfortable to write for extended periods. Even with the cap posted, the pen retains its balance and is a breeze to write with. For those of you who may seek a size reference, here is a side by side image with the Kaigelu 316 which is a clone of the Duofold Centennial. http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g346/prithwijitchakiPrithwijit/Fountain%20Pen%20Reviews/Fosfor%20Duofold/IMGP5210_zps6kjouwpd.jpg Nib Since the gentleman in question already had access to other Duofolds, we didn't bother about getting an original nib for the pen. Instead he opted for a 18K Jowo #6 pen in rose gold finish with his initials engraved on the nib. This technique is different from the laser engraving I had done on my Rajendran and arguably better if the limited typeface options available do not bother you. http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g346/prithwijitchakiPrithwijit/Fountain%20Pen%20Reviews/Fosfor%20Duofold/IMGP5201_zpsazxbejmk.jpg Filling Mechanism The pen uses the standard international cartridge converter mechanism with a Schmidt converter paired with the WIN/Jowo nib unit. The section itself was custom made by Manoj. The pen can accept any bottled ink as well as cartridges from a host of brands. http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g346/prithwijitchakiPrithwijit/Fountain%20Pen%20Reviews/Fosfor%20Duofold/IMGP5205_zpsltn81ktm.jpg Build Quality Manoj is synonymous with quality and he amply demonstrated that in this pen as well. All critical aspects of the pen such as the shape, fit, threading, buffing/polishing and the finish are impeccable and gives the overall impression of a high quality product. Specifications The measurements have not been taken with any precision instrument or laboratory techniques and should be considered as indicative only . Length (capped) – 137 mm Length (uncapped) – 130 mm Length (cap) – 63 mm Length (section) – 20 mm Maximum width – 13.5 mm Maximum section width – 10.5 mm Minimum section width – 9 mm Conclusion I found the idea of this pen pretty intriguing. In one broad brush we have covered 96 years of Duofold legacy from its ebonite origins, big red lineage to contemporary evolution and amenities. The final product has certainly been able to fulfil its design brief. It is a classic mid-sized comfortable and well balanced writing instrument. The SEM ebonite and silver trims are wonderful thing to have and Fosfor quality and finishing comes through. Useful Links Very good orange ebonite blanks can be sourced from http://www.ebonite-arts.de/en/index.php Jowo nibs of your choice can be sourced from www.asapens.in Pen is made by www.fosforpens.com

Hi! Need some assistance as to where I can score a spare Parker Duofold Senior Red (flattop) SECTION replacement. I'm trying to restore my senior red and it needs a new/replacement section. Been trying to order and contact through fivestarpens since it's the only website I found that sells spare sections for the big reds. Unfortunately, they haven't responded to all my emails for weeks now, not sure if they're just busy with some pen exhibits or what, but as of now I feel I need to look for another supplier in case they leave all my queries into oblivion. Thanks in advance guys.

Just bought a Vintage Pwrker Duofold 'Big red' (flattop) from an auction site. I notice a C.O. anchor logo on its barrel which I believe is the logo of the Danish pen distributor of parker pens in EU during the 1930's. if i'm correct this is a rare sighting and a gem to my collection. What do you think guys?

Just bought a Vintage Pwrker Duofold 'Big red' (flattop) from an auction site. I notice a C.O. anchor logo on its barrel which I believe is the logo of the Danish pen distributor of parker pens in EU during the 1930's. if i'm correct this is a rare sighting and a gem to my collection. What do you think guys?

Hello, I have a Duofold Senior in red permanite, double banded, that has a cap lip that is so severely cracked that it's lost four, soon to be five, chunks from its lip, just below the first band. I keep on regluing them, but it's ugly and not at all permanent. I sought some professional help to get the chunks and cracks sealed, but was told that the costs far outweigh the pen value, and the best course for me is to get a new cap. I'd like to avoid buying a whole other Duofold just to get at its cap. If anybody has a spare cap for a red senior in permanite they would be willing to sell me, or direct me towards a group or individual that could do that, I would be eternally grateful! After saving up for two years to get my dream pen, this whole experience is quite heartbreaking! Thank you, jcreilley Here's some pics of the cap so you can see the horror for yourself.

Sharing a transcription of a poem by Chuang Tzu, translated by Thomas Merton.

Most ossified sacs crumble away. I found one in a senior Duofold (non-lucky curve) which is hard as a rock, but intact. It appears to be imprinted "PARKER ANODE" and "MADE IN USA". Googling the term anode, I came across Parker Service Manual 5115 which mentions "Sac, Anode Rubber". Was Anode Rubber a Parker marketing term, and is it common to find imprinted sacs? BTW, here is the opening paragraph of the service manual: "Repairing a fountain pen is not as simple as it seems. It might be compared to repairing a watch. It is easy to tinker with a watch with the result that it keeps poor time or no time at all; and it is easy to tinker with a fountain pen so that it gives the poorest kind of satisfaction or no satisfaction at all." Been there, done that... Watches and pens... Brian

Hello, I have a Duofold Senior in permanite, double band, that has a cap that is basically dead. A week after I bought the pen, the cracks in the lip that I thought were gong to be fine if I was just careful with it started to shed chunks of cap lip under the first band. I keep on re-gluing them back on, but it's not a permanent solution by any means. I sought some professional help to reapply the pieces and seal the chunks, and was told it's basically beyond help. I need to get a whole new cap for my pen. Does anybody have a spare cap for a Senior Duofold in permanite that they would be willing to sell to me? Or are there any suggestions to turn me in the right direction to get a hold of cap. It doesn't even need to be complete, since I can transplant the clip and top from my current cap. Thank you, jcreilley

Hello everyone, I have 2 duofold nibs on which engraved words like below serial number(one is 006828, another is 387598) PARKER DUOFOLD MADE IN U.S.A. I've tried search online to find what's the year of this nib, can only find few similar ones but the words are in different orders, most of them the serial number is in the first line. Can anybody help me to find out the year of them? I appreciate!!

Hello I've bought a modern Duofold Centennial True Blue at auction - but it does not appear to be one of the limited edition pens, as it doesn't have the "n/5000" number on the cap top. In the same auction there was also a "staffer" Duofold pen, from when the Newhaven factory shut down, so I wondered if this might be from a Parker employee's own collection? The True Blue came in a box a bit like the one a Parker 100 comes in - but with an outside white cardboard sleeve with a Parker label on it saying "Duofold True Blue Cent FP Fine G Box" and a barcode of "0 000000 000000". Does anyone know whether the True Blue was offered outside of the limited edition, or whether this might be a prototype pen or something else??? Many thanks! Jon Picture here: https://flic.kr/p/P9rWGU

Hi Guys i have just today purchased this jade duofold jr. This will now be my third duofold jr however i have not seen these pens with comb feeds except where the nib has been replaced with a newer vacumatic era nib. That being said i do remember remember reading that parker started to phase out the christmas tree feed in 1928 which would be the right time period for this pen. I would love to here your thoughts on this. Can't wait to get this one cleaned up and ready to write! Thanks

Hey everyone! I apologize in advance for the lack of photos; pens are all apart right now for cleaning/repair...will add pics later... Since I had to drive home from school (Walla Walla to Bellevue) to pick up a bicycle (long story) I thought I'd seize the opportunity and visit all the antique shops on the way and see what I could find. I am quite pleased with what I've found! In order of coolness, they are: -A Parker Duofold in black and white pearl celluloid with a flex (!!!) nib, has both clip and ring (???) -A small Majestic in blue and bronze celluloid with a flexible 14k warranted nib -A small Wearever in red celluloid with a very flexible 14k warranted nib The Duofold's barrel has some moderate-to-severe discoloration but its cap is only lightly discolored. The pen is in shockingly good condition overall. It also has both a clip and a ring on the cap, which is pretty odd. I originally planned on selling it, but I might just keep it because it's so cool. I bought it at a shop in Richland and I have to say that I would highly recommend a trip to the Uptown shopping center if you are ever in the area; it's a strip mall-esque amalgamation of stores but there are 3 or 4 bona fide antique shops in it so it certainly warrants a stop, especially considering it's only about 5 minutes off of the highway. The Majestic is a surpsingly attractive pen considering its third-tier origins, and the flex nib seals the deal. Apparently Majestics were made by the same guys who made the wonderful Ambassador I bought a while back for $5, I guess that explains the flex nib... The Wearever might not work out, but I'm only out $6.50 on it anyway, so that's not too big of a deal. It's missing the clip but is otherwise cosmetically fine. I bought it because the nib had some good flex to it, but its tip was bent downwards and although I was able to get that flattened out, I think may have twisted or bent the nib out of shape and I can't quite get that figured out...come to think of it, if you want to try your hand at nib straightening and have $6.50+sh, then it's yours! I did see something else in Yakima but I didn't buy it because it was $100 and that's a little too steep for me...I am strongly considering buying it on my way back, though, because it is truly something...we'll see. nrum97 PS for WA peeps: Chinook Pass is an absolutely awesome drive! Highly recommend!

Hi, I received a Parker doufold that had the following finial (see pic) does anyone knows about this finial and what it means? Thank you Jack

Hello, I would like to purchase Parker button filler Duofold jr. What should be its reasonable price range for a daily user? I am perplexed with so many different types like UK< USA, Canada. Thank you.

Hi, With everyone sharing their collections recently- with many different colours and ranges. Just thought I'd share my pure black vintage collection. When parker did more than one variation in the model. i.e Junior, Ladies and sub variations. Hopefully many more will follow suit. Kind regards

Someone at Ranga Pens must be using common core math, because I ordered ONE Ranga Doufold eyedropper, but these showed up together, with a spare nib and feed! How cool that they are hand turned on a foot treadle lathe using some stunning ebonite. What a pen for the price! I love the green & black rippled ebonite! The Ranga Duofold is a large pen but feels very comfortable in my hand. Great crafstmanship for a pen in that price range.

Between a Parker Duofold Centennial and a Cross Townsend which would you pick and why?

Any one have experience with the Parker Duofold Centennial Triple Broad #86 nib? My question is whether the nib has stubbish qualities or is it just a giant round ball of iridium? Knowing Parker for sometime had quite specialized italics and obliques, I would gather it's a round ball. I tried to google any information and came up empty. Thanks in advance.

Purchased the Ebonite Ranga Duofold eyedropper pen which is beautiful to look at and feels amazing. After thoroughly cleaning it (the ebonite feed was filled with some waxy substance) I want to upgrade the nib. I tried the extra Wality nib that comes with the pen. That needed a lot of adjustment. It barely made a line on the page it was so dry. The tines needed to be flossed; the tip needed several go arounds on mesh but after all that , the nib writes beaufifully.. Here's my dilemma. I really, really like this pen and I'd still like to upgrade the nib to something better. Does anyone know if the full Edison or Jowo #5 nib/feed assemblies fit the Ebonite Ranga Duofold eyedropper? Or can I find a #5 nib that will fit the existing ebonite feed?