Parkers Every Collector "must Have"

[ReverendPen]

So I have found in my year and a half of collecting pens that Parkers and Sheaffers are the pens I like the most. that being said (and the fact that this is the Parker Forum) what are the "must haves" for Parker collections (FP, BP, and Pencils new and vintage).

 

Thanks

[Carguy]

You were asking for opinions, so here is mine. When I fiy rst became obsessed with fountain pens, I

started trying to collect one of everything. I decided I liked Parkers and Conway Stewarts. With the

Parkers, I really tried to start collecting everything I could which made my burgeoning collection a

vast mess. So I started narrowing down what I liked and wanted to have the "best" example of what I

liked - so here it is:

 

Parker 51 - Nothing can be said about this vaunted pen that hasn't already been said. Get a Vac model and\

and an Aerometric model in the colors YOU like best. Search for the caps you like best and then try to

find the very cleanest example of those that you can.

 

Parker 61 - This pen seems to be either loved or hated and I LOVE it! The capillary fill has NEVER

given me any problems with just the simplest bit of normal cleaning and loving maintenance.

 

Parker Vacumatic - A great vintage fountain pen. Again, pick a color you like and find it. There are

too many models to try to get one of all of them.

 

Parker Duofold Modern Version - a great writing modern pen

 

Parker Sonnet - a good modern daily user.

 

I don't care for the 75 and many of the other models so the above is what I have in MY collection.

 

Good luck!

[gyasko]

The pens that are must haves are the ones that whisper "take me home" in your ear. I have no idea what those voices are saying.

[Glenn-SC]

None!

 

You don't HAVE TO HAVE ANYTHING.

 

Only YOU can decide what you want to collect and why.

[Tommy]

Here's a list of what I would consider the most important vintage Parkers.

 

Duofold (the first one, 1920s)

Vacumatic

51

61

45

75

First year Jotter

 

Modern pens don't excite me. Maybe in about 50 years they will.

[head]

Vintage:

 

Duofold

Vacumatic

51 Vacumatic

51 Aerometric

21

45

 

Modern:

 

Duofold International

51 Special Edition

100

Sonnet

[redneckwes]

Jotter

45,

21, cause I'll never drop the $$ for a 51.

 

Thats all I have really.

Edited June 7, 2010 by redneckwes

[wekiva98]

Other folks have pointed out the touchstones if you're thinking of starting your own Parker museum. But if you're looking for pens to use, I think the later 51s and 75s are great everyday pens for someone who doesn't want to worry about filler mechanisms. Give 'em a flush once in a while, fill 'em up and they are ready to go. There are plenty around, so they are easy to find. I also think a 3rd-generation Vac is a good bet, but you'll have to keep it repaired. These are all pens you can use and enjoy, instead of fretting about whether you are damaging your investment.

[weepstah]

Right, if you really are just feeling your way, then 3rd Gen Vacs and 51's are the way to go. They are plentiful, reasonably priced and are fantastic user pens. But if you are looking to expand...well the very first thing I would get is the Parker Vacumatic book.

[richardandtracy]

I tend to feel that for user pens that the ones you should try to get a feel of Parker's range (in order of getting them in each group) are:

 

Vintage

P51 (Probably the Aero first)

P61 (Capilliary or preferably c/c)

Vacumatic

Vintage Duofold

Parker 75

 

Modern

P45

Modern Duofold (either centennial or international, whichever suits you best)

 

I rather feel that the P100 may well be a good example of Parker's modern pens, but it's horrible and I would never recommend it to anyone.

After that, whatever takes your fancy. The P21 & P17 are good workhorse hooded models, but not up to the standard of either the P51 or P61. The P65 is an interesting side track, as are the P50 Falcon & P180. The early open nib pens are worth considering, but what I've suggested so far will take a good chunk of money, and I wouldn't want to spend any more of it.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[Shaughn]

Even one single model opens a whole collecting world.

 

The Parker 25 is a 'must have' to begin with, at least temporarily until you decide your final course in collecting.

 

One specimen of each pen model is not a bad goal for a starter!

[OcalaFlGuy]

 

Parker 51 Get a Vac model and\

and an Aerometric model in the colors YOU like best. Search for the caps you like best and then try to

find the very cleanest example of those that you can.

 

 

Good luck!

 

AMEN! :clap1:

 

Now I guess this doesn't apply if you're going to collect just mainly to COLLECT but at least to start with, IMO, get the colors/caps/nibs YOU LIKE the most even if those aren't ones that have a particularly high cachet value to other C-Worders.

 

I have a few 51's and all of them are Cedar or Midmight Blue because that's what *I LIKE*. I wanted a nice example of a BD Lustraloy cap and even though that's nothing special to a Vac 51 C-Worder, Mine is special TO ME. (Of course, it having a luscious Mike Masuyama Stub nib doesn't hurt any either... ) I wanted a nice clean Lustraloy with GT cap for my Midnight Blue Aero and even though that's no real C-Worders item, it's THAT LOOK I wanted on MY PEN. What makes ME happiest with MY pens is what I LIKE not what has some extra cachet because others like it. Getting the pens that float YOUR boat also is most likely to have them where they are Supposed To Be, in your hand being written with.

 

Over time you may warm to other colors and cap finishes, you may not. But NOT spending the dough on a Forest Green 51 because you like me, don't particularly like green pens, just gives you more to spend on those YOU DO take a fancy to. And Trust Me!, they'll be more than enough of those.

 

That's MY story anyway, and I'm stickin' to it.

 

Bruce in Ocala, FL

[Rick Krantz]

My suggestion would be how many are you looking for?

 

3 PENS....

 

Duofold

Vacumatic

Parker 51

 

 

5 PENS...

(first three plus...)

Parker 61

Parker 75

 

 

9 PENS...

(first 5.... plus...)

break the 51 into a vac fill and an aerometric

Jack knife safety

21

45

 

 

and if you want to add even more...

Depression era parker

toothbrush duofold

late duofold

Duofold Sr, Jr

Streamlined Duofold Sr, Jr

Vacumatic 1933-1936

Vacumatic 1937-43~

Parker 51 first year

Parker 51 flighter

Parker 41

Parker 21 fishscale cap (in either turquoise or pink)

Parker 61 rainbow cap

 

 

And still yet, you can go by colors....

in the Duofold,

Vacumatics

51's

 

 

it's never ending. Basically, you need to set a limit on how many you wish to acquire...

 

I think tho, the basic three are pretty much the three pens that defined Parker for their era of writing instruments...

[gyasko]

Hmm... no mention of the Parkette, the Zephyr, Writefine, or the Parco.

 

Speaking of the lower priced models, i feel no need to have a 21 or a 45, but i do like do Challengers.

 

I think a good collection would have a T1 or a 50 and a 180, but maybe that's just my nibcentric bias.

[Rick Krantz]

Hmm... no mention of the Parkette, the Zephyr, Writefine, or the Parco.

 

Speaking of the lower priced models, i feel no need to have a 21 or a 45, but i do like do Challengers.

 

I think a good collection would have a T1 or a 50 and a 180, but maybe that's just my nibcentric bias.

 

I totally forgot about the challenger. I think the other sub brands are important as well, and I would admit, I am with you, my Parker representative collection would likely not include a 21, or a 45. I would offer that mine would stop at the 51's.

[fibreglass_works]

A parker Giant, Giant and another Giant :roflmho:

[markb]

I don't think any Parker collection would be complete without a 1920's Duofold. That was the pen that really started their success. It also happens to be a very nice pen. Actually, it's my personal favourite. In my opinion there's no more iconic pen than a Parker Duofold Sr. "Big Red." The Big Red is truly a thing of beauty. Parker Vacumatics and 51s are great as well.

[goodguy]

A true Parker collector has to have the T1.

VP is another uncommon but cool Parker to collect.

[ReverendPen]

WOW, Ok then I think I have my work cut out for me. It all started with finding my grandpas old 51 and black Duofold pencil!. So now I have a

 

51

75

21

45 (with an "A" nib which is way to fine and scratchy for me so I am looking for a medium nib)

Deluxe Challenger

 

My mom tells me that her uncle was a Parker Sales rep...unfortunatley non of his samples survive in family heirlooms..though I may have to do some searching for those long lost relatives.

 

Thanks for all your ideas. oh and BTW if you want to help me acquire those pens I will take graciously accept donations.... )

[Ray-Vigo]

Vacumatic, flat top Duofold and maybe a Jack Knife Safety

 

Parker still has yet to better the Vacumatic and the vintage Duofolds. If you're into ballpoints, throw a Jotter in there as well.