Parker Duofold Prices, Your Experiences

[apkayle]

What is usually the cost of a Parker Duofold? I've seen many seemingly bland (not unattractive, just lacking illustrious decorations) and non-gold appointed Parkers range in prices from $20 to $100.

 

What gives? Is it something to do with date of creation? Body material?

[penmanila]

First of all, there are many kinds of Duofolds--the US ones from the 1920s and 30s (flattop and streamlined), the English Duofolds that followed, and then the modern Duofolds (international and Centennial, flattop and streamlined) from 1988 onwards. They came in many sizes, and some colors like Mandarin Yellow have been priced at a premium. So it's hard to set a meaningful price range without going from say $20 to $2000. If you mean a fairly common model like a 1928 Junior in red (actually orange), then $75-100 shouldn't be unreasonable for one in good condition.

[rochester21]

What duofold? i, for instance, just spent the impressive amount of 12 gbp on a 1946 english made duofold AF

Edited June 2, 2013 by rochester21

[Paul80]

I had been watching a few English Duofolds on ebay UK and everyone of them sold for under £10, at the moment for some reason in the Uk 51's are going for silly money with most going between £50 and £100, when last years you would be lucky to get £20 for one..

 

Paul

[rochester21]

It is likely that parker 51 prices have gone up because of all the appraisal and publicity they get, including from this forum. But the english duofolds should be great as well, i have an english parker 17 "super duofold" with a killer nib(springy and very smooth). If i ever see a duofold in good condition for 10 gbp, you can bet i`il take it !!

[Inkysloth]

51s are a lot more classy than the AF Duofolds though. I have a Slimfold, Lady, and Victory (all AF, Dufold line) and they're just not as nice feeling as a 51. The nibs are perfectly good, but there is something a bit more sexy about the 51.

[rochester21]

A...my impression was that the duofold was the top of the line, followed bt the slimfold, victory etc. I understand that the plastics and size may not match those of the P51, but i think that the duofold has a slightly more classic, elegant look to it. It looks like an older design than the parker 51.

 

Of course, these are simple factors- in the end, it`s all about the nib and writing. If it writes good, it`s a good pen. If not, then it`s a bad pen !

Edited June 2, 2013 by rochester21

[Inkysloth]

A...my impression was that the duofold was the top of the line, followed bt the slimfold, victory etc. I understand that the plastics and size may not match those of the P51, but i think that the duofold has a slightly more classic, elegant look to it. It looks like an older design than the parker 51.

 

Of course, these are simple factors- in the end, it`s all about the nib and writing. If it writes good, it`s a good pen. If not, then it`s a bad pen !

 

They absolutely echo Vacumatics, but to me, they don't feel as robust or as high quality. But I've only handled late 50s / early 60s models - it may be that those from the late 40s are a bit more solid feeling.

[apkayle]

So would a 1920s green Duofold with no issues other than replacing the ink sac for $20 be a decent deal?

Edited June 2, 2013 by apkayle

[Lindab709]

Yes, that's a good price, especially if the barrel is not discolored. Jade green Duofold barrels often darken because of a reaction with degeneration of the pen sac rubber.

[Paul80]

Just watched another UK Duofold finish on eBay UK with a starting price of £10 not attract a single bid.

 

My 1948 English Duofold Button fill model is the cream of my collection with the silkiest nib if all my pens. Mind you out of all my other Pens of any make the second best writer I have is a Parker 45 and they sell for under £5 on ebay UK, even the all metal ones.

 

Thats the trouble with us English (British) we don't appreciate just how good some of our home grown products could be, especially now as most manufacturing has moved to China, the current generation has never bought anything with made in UK or GB stamped on it, so when they do see it thay think it must be second rate or something worse.

 

Paul

Edited June 3, 2013 by Paul80

[Inkysloth]

Just watched another UK Duofold finish on eBay UK with a starting price of £10 not attract a single bid.

 

My 1948 English Duofold Button fill model is the cream of my collection with the silkiest nib if all my pens. Mind you out of all my other Pens of any make the second best writer I have is a Parker 45 and they sell for under £5 on ebay UK, even the all metal ones.

 

Thats the trouble with us English (British) we don't appreciate just how good some of our home grown products could be, especially now as most manufacturing has moved to China, the current generation has never bought anything with made in UK or GB stamped on it, so when they do see it thay think it must be second rate or something worse.

 

Paul

 

Are you watching a different Ebay from me?! I've not spotted a 45 flighter go for under a fiver recently