Parker Duofold Centennial Special Edition Orange, Big Red

[Karmastars]

 

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.

 

Edited June 8, 2017 by Karmastars

[darazs]

I like your review. I also have that image for Parker - wonder why

[Drone]

Nice, now you need a Duofold in Mandarin Yellow to make a set...

* Vintage (c.1927). Careful, the caps crack easily so don't post.

http://www.penhero.com/365_2010/365_020910.htm

 

* Modern version (c.2013):

http://www.parkerpen.com/en-US/Parker-unveils-the-Duofold-Mandarin-Yellow-Limited-Edition

Edited June 8, 2017 by Drone

[KellyMcJ]

What a beautiful pen!!!! The red/orange color doesn't appeal to me until I actually see the pen, then it takes my breath away!!!

[ParkerBeta]

"How would I picture the most perfect Parker? Pilot Custom 845 Ebonite Urushi, from Parker, in Orange..."

 

Absolutely! I've often thought that probably the two pens in my collection that feel best in my hand are my Parker Duofold Centennial and my Pilot Custom 845.