Duofold Centennial Time Frame

[Ted F]

I picked up a Duofold MK-1 Centennial at the Arkansas Pen Show. I understand there was also an MK-2 which I assume was after the MK-1. During what years was the MK-1 produced (1987 to ?). Below is a photo of the pen.

 

[AndrewC]

Here is a link to a great Parker site. This will take you to the page I think will answer your question. The whole site is pretty amazing.

 

http://parkerpens.net/centennial.html

Edited March 5, 2015 by AndrewC

[Ted F]

Thank you for the link. It is very informative. My pen is the top blue marble pen in the second illustrated group at the top of the site.

 

From what is said in the article the Centennial MK I ended in November 1992. That's about a 5 year run.

Edited March 4, 2015 by Ted F

[AndrewC]

Whenever it was made, that is a really good looking pen. The material looks very similar to that used by Sheaffer for the Balance II in Cobalt Glow, also from the 90s. Would be interesting to see them side-by-side. That's a handsome pen, and I hope it serves you well should you decide to use it (which I hope you do...)

[Frank C]

I bought a similar pen in the early 90s. They are good writers and very sturdy. I ended up getting a red one and a green one, too.

[Ted F]

Whenever it was made, that is a really good looking pen. The material looks very similar to that used by Sheaffer for the Balance II in Cobalt Glow, also from the 90s. Would be interesting to see them side-by-side. That's a handsome pen, and I hope it serves you well should you decide to use it (which I hope you do...)

 

I have already used it. It writes great. When I bought it at the pen show Danny Fudge of The Write Pen was there. He checked it over, did his thing with the nib and pronounced it a good nib. It's a #88 Left-Oblique Medium.

 

I've narrowed the time frame down to either 1988, 1989, or 1990. In the parkerpens.net article he mentions a cherrywood box during 1990. Maybe that's the year the pen was made.

[Frank C]

I don't recall getting a cherrywood box with that pen. I also purchased an orange Duofold at about that time and it came with a nice wooden box.

[Mr. Pink]

I pick up a Marble Maroon FP and Pencil in 1989. I love 'em, but wish I used the pencil at least once in a while.

 

As for the box - I don't really remember much except that it was NOT wood. (at least I don't think so)

Edited March 5, 2015 by Charles Rice

[twdpens]

Lovely pen and a good example of a Mk 1 (flat cap ring) Centennial. What cap badge does it have? Early ones were plain (no badge at all) but there was also a collectors' edition cap badge which is extra desirable.

 

Martin

[Ted F]

Lovely pen and a good example of a Mk 1 (flat cap ring) Centennial. What cap badge does it have? Early ones were plain (no badge at all) but there was also a collectors' edition cap badge which is extra desirable.

 

Martin

 

There isn't any cap badge. The only markings are the arrow clip and on the nib where 18K 750 and the name Parker appear; also 88 on the feed.

 

Ted

[Tdot]

The material looks very similar to that used by Sheaffer for the Balance II in Cobalt Glow, also from the 90s. Would be interesting to see them side-by-side.

 

The marble Duofolds are far more interesting in person, the twist and folding patterns have depth and a silk-like shimmer that rarely appears in a photo.

 

Lots of love at my desk for this Duofold series, I have MkI and MkII in various colors and sizes. Most came in a nice gray box, but special finishes like Orange, or Pearl & Black came in wood boxes stained in cherry or black.

 

The first models had a blank cap but the box included a card to have Parker make a monogram disk to be glued on. Later models came with gold disks that changed over the years.

[Frank C]

Lovely pen and a good example of a Mk 1 (flat cap ring) Centennial. What cap badge does it have? Early ones were plain (no badge at all) but there was also a collectors' edition cap badge which is extra desirable.

 

Martin

 

I sent mine to Parker USA in Janesville, WI and they put my initials on top. They used to have a program where you sent the pen in once a year for a tune-up. They performed ink chromatography and you got a nasty little comment back if you were using anything other than Parker Ink. My personal fountain pen rules require that I use the same brand of ink with a pen if the pen company makes ink, so it was never a problem for me. There are many exceptions to this rule, though.

[twdpens]

 

There isn't any cap badge. The only markings are the arrow clip and on the nib where 18K 750 and the name Parker appear; also 88 on the feed.

 

Ted

 

88 on the feed is the code for oblique-medium. A fabulous nib.

 

Martin

[Michael_V]

 

I have already used it. It writes great. When I bought it at the pen show Danny Fudge of The Write Pen was there. He checked it over, did his thing with the nib and pronounced it a good nib. It's a #88 Left-Oblique Medium.

 

I've narrowed the time frame down to either 1988, 1989, or 1990. In the parkerpens.net article he mentions a cherrywood box during 1990. Maybe that's the year the pen was made.

 

Ted:

 

Using the same parkerpens.net website you should be able to date your pen to a specific year and quarter. During this time Parker used "Quality Pen" and a code for the quarter of manufacture. Here is the page: http://parkerpens.net/codekey.html

 

Also, like Frank C. above I had my initials put on my pen by Parker and took advantage of the yearly tuneup they offered for Duofolds. The initials were engraved on the top and gold filled. When the gold wore away a bit they even refilled the engraving during a later tuneup.

 

Great pens.

 

Michael

 

[Ted F]

Michael:

 

I've looked all over the pen with a magnifying glass and there aren't any markings, especially a date code. The only way you can tell it's a Parker (other than the look) is by the arrow clip and the markings on the nib.

 

Ted

[tryphon]

They offered a fantastic array of nib choices. The picture shows the Nib Testers (in Duofold INternational size). One of the testers is a duplicate.

 

 

 

http://s26.postimg.org/nnp4lax5l/Nib_testers.jpg

[Michael_V]

Michael:

 

I've looked all over the pen with a magnifying glass and there aren't any markings, especially a date code. The only way you can tell it's a Parker (other than the look) is by the arrow clip and the markings on the nib.

 

Ted

Hello again Ted.

 

Its possible there is no marking on your pen. I have a matching rollerball and have not found any marking on it. For the accompanying ballpoint the marking is clearly imprinted on the metal twist cap.

 

I find that the imprint can be difficult to see even with a lighted loupe due to the contrast with the blue marble material. On my Centennial Duofold the marking is located opposite the arrow clip and just above the rings on the cap. I have the longer version of the arrow clip that stops just above the cap rings. There are three lines of print and the Arrow-through-the-Hoop emblem and then PARKER is on the first line. The next line has MADE IN UK, and for my pen the last line right above the rings has III Q. My imprint is faint, but I don't know if it started that way or if it is from the years of daily use I gave the pen.

 

Good luck searching again, but even if you cannot find the marking they are great pens and yours is presented beautifully with the box.

 

Michael

Edited March 7, 2015 by Michael_V

[Mr. Pink]

 

 

I find that the imprint can be difficult to see even with a lighted loupe due to the contrast with the blue marble material. On my Centennial Duofold the marking is located opposite the arrow clip and just above the rings on the cap. I have the longer version of the arrow clip that stops just above the cap rings. There are three lines of print and the Arrow-through-the-Hoop emblem and then PARKER is on the first line. The next line has MADE IN UK, and for my pen the last line right above the rings has III Q. My imprint is faint, but I don't know if it started that way or if it is from the years of daily use I gave the pen.

 

 

Well I'll be dipped. All these years and I never noticed. Ya really gotta look hard. But there it was, an "E" for 1988

 

Thanks

[Ted F]

I find that the imprint can be difficult to see even with a lighted loupe due to the contrast with the blue marble material. On my Centennial Duofold the marking is located opposite the arrow clip and just above the rings on the cap. I have the longer version of the arrow clip that stops just above the cap rings. There are three lines of print and the Arrow-through-the-Hoop emblem and then PARKER is on the first line. The next line has MADE IN UK, and for my pen the last line right above the rings has III Q. My imprint is faint, but I don't know if it started that way or if it is from the years of daily use I gave the pen.

 

 

Michael:

 

Son of a gun, there it is. The Date Code is lE which is the 3rd quarter of 1988. Thank you for the tip. I'm amazed at how easy it was to miss.

 

Ted

[Dutchpen]

Very nice pen!

The very first duofold centennials have a 14ct nib instead of a 18ct nib too.

The 14ct nibs are quite rare.

 

Lennard