What Parkers Have Joined Your Collection Lately?

August 19, 2021

12 hours ago, Sheptonian said:

Well done - the green suits the pen very well I think.

An orange one would be interesting, too...

P25 with the orange section is the rarest one... very hard to find, especially in a decent condition...

August 20, 2021

On 8/15/2021 at 8:17 AM, TheRedBeard said:

P45 Flighter GT (UK, 1991).

I am not a fan of P45s, but just filling the gap in my Flighters sub-collection

Watch out for the cap going flying when it's posted. It's wicked easy to accidentally launch it across the room. 🤣

August 20, 2021

Just received my order from Parker51.com:

51 Vac Demi, burgundy w/ gold-filled cap
51 Aero Demi, plum w/ lustraloy cap

The colors are definitely different, and I can't get my phone camera to make them look any color but black.

I loaded up the Vac Demi with Kaweco Royal Blue. It's adorably small. I figured it would be the same size as the Aero Demi, but not so much.

August 20, 2021

19 minutes ago, NumberSix said:

Just received my order from Parker51.com:

51 Vac Demi, burgundy w/ gold-filled cap

51 Aero Demi, plum w/ lustraloy cap

The colors are definitely different, and I can't get my phone camera to make them look any color but black.

I loaded up the Vac Demi with Kaweco Royal Blue. It's adorably small. I figured it would be the same size as the Aero Demi, but not so much.

Funny you should say that. I have several Aero Demi 51’s that I don’t mind when they are posted. The Vac Demi otoh, was too short and stubby for me and I got rid of the one I had.

I also have a Plum Demi and love it!

August 20, 2021

7 minutes ago, Carguy said:

Funny you should say that. I have several Aero Demi 51’s that I don’t mind when they are posted. The Vac Demi otoh, was too short and stubby for me and I got rid of the one I had.

I also have a Plum Demi and love it!

So far I don't mind the Vac Demi when it's posted. It's comfy enough even in my big clumsy hands.

Aero Demis kick all kinds of butt.

August 20, 2021

16 hours ago, NumberSix said:

Watch out for the cap going flying when it's posted. It's wicked easy to accidentally launch it across the room. 🤣

Thanks, NumberSix Will do

August 24, 2021

I've got this 1944 Vac 51 cordovan set on the way. I don't think I have owned a double jewel Vac 51 yet. . .

I also have a Vacumatic in my post box - I need to go pick it up. Arrived yesterday!

August 24, 2021

1 hour ago, NumberSix said:

I've got this 1944 Vac 51 cordovan set on the way. I don't think I have owned a double jewel Vac 51 yet. . .

I also have a Vacumatic in my post box - I need to go pick it up. Arrived yesterday!

Now I’m jealous! That’s a mighty fine pen set. I only have one 51 DJ in black.

August 25, 2021

2 hours ago, Carguy said:

Now I’m jealous! That’s a mighty fine pen set. I only have one 51 DJ in black.

We'll hope it's as good as it looks, cuz it wasn't cheap.

The nib is described as EF, which is possibly finer than I'd prefer. But we'll see. Aurora Black and Aurora Blue cover a multitude of sins with very fine vintage nibs, in my experience.

August 25, 2021

Does anyone have both the Vacumatic book and the P51 book, to compare sizes? '

When I ordered the Vac book the other day from Andy's Pens, the shipping from the UK was a lot. Well more than Andy charged for the 51 book. I am guessing it's thicker and heavier. . .

August 25, 2021

10 hours ago, NumberSix said:

Does anyone have both the Vacumatic book and the P51 book, to compare sizes? '

When I ordered the Vac book the other day from Andy's Pens, the shipping from the UK was a lot. Well more than Andy charged for the 51 book. I am guessing it's thicker and heavier. . .

The Vacumatic book is about three times as thick as the P51 book.

August 26, 2021

17 hours ago, baz666 said:

The Vacumatic book is about three times as thick as the P51 book.

Fun!

August 26, 2021

This one arrived today. It is flashier than my usual taste, but unposted it has a nice heft and balance. It has a wicked gusher of a broad nib, which I'm going to have to have worked on by someone for it to be usable for me, but fortunately I've got the SF pen show in a couple of days where I should be able to get that taken care of.

Forgive the snapshot quality of the photo.

August 28, 2021

On 8/24/2021 at 10:14 PM, NumberSix said:

I've got this 1944 Vac 51 cordovan set on the way. I don't think I have owned a double jewel Vac 51 yet. . .

I also have a Vacumatic in my post box - I need to go pick it up. Arrived yesterday!

So great Congrats!

August 28, 2021

Parker Varsity

I recently scored this Varsity online. It's for my Parker 45 collection even though it's not a 45. It shares the same swappable nib unit that is interchangable with 45s. It is also shorter than a 45 but still takes a cartridge or converter.

It was released in 1963 and came in Black, Red, Grey, Blue, Beige, and White. It was targeted at students and even though it had a lower price point, it had several unusual traits. There is a clear collar on the section so the student could insert a piece of paper with their name. (With the last name of Bond, I'd be tempted to use it to send secret messages) it also had a unique and stylish alligator spring clip. I wish Parker had used this clip in more models. They also had a contoured grip and stainless tassie.

In the early 60s, Parker was experimenting heavily in lower priced pens to complete with the growing ballpoint market. That is one of the reasons it purchased Eversharp. Unfortunately, this model was short lived along with many other Parker and Eversharp student models.

August 28, 2021

Parker 45 TX

I was recently gifted this 45 TX and it is in fantastic condition. Tess is a fellow member of the Austin Pen Club and has become an avid Parker collector (thanks to Doug H). She has a beautiful Royal Challenger set and is exploring other vintage Parker models. She knows I have a substantial 45 collection and was nice enough to get this one for me. I'm looking thru my other Parkers to see how I can repay her generosity.

The TX was one of the 45 lines aimed at the higher end market like the Harlequins and Coronets. It was only produced from 1979 to 1983 in Newhaven, UK. With this short window, they can be hard to find. Their most distinctive feature is a dark blue epoxy painted over a brass body with gold trim.

Later, another version was produced in Argentina and was made with black epoxy and a few other small variations. This fountain pen will go nicely with my blue pencil and black ballpoint. Thanks again, Tess.

August 28, 2021

5 minutes ago, cabbie said:

Parker Varsity

I recently scored this Varsity online. It's for my Parker 45 collection even though it's not a 45. It shares the same swappable nib unit that is interchangable with 45s. It is also shorter than a 45 but still takes a cartridge or converter.

It was released in 1963 and came in Black, Red, Grey, Blue, Beige, and White. It was targeted at students and even though it had a lower price point, it had several unusual traits. There is a clear collar on the section so the student could insert a piece of paper with their name. (With the last name of Bond, I'd be tempted to use it to send secret messages) it also had a unique and stylish alligator spring clip. I wish Parker had used this clip in more models. They also had a contoured grip and stainless tassie.

In the early 60s, Parker was experimenting heavily in lower priced pens to complete with the growing ballpoint market. That is one of the reasons it purchased Eversharp. Unfortunately, this model was short lived along with many other Parker and Eversharp student models.

Wow, I have never heard of this model! What a fascinating design. I guess they were looking for the Parker 21 of their 45 line, eh?

August 28, 2021

Just now, cabbie said:

Parker 45 TX

I was recently gifted this 45 TX and it is in fantastic condition. Tess is a fellow member of the Austin Pen Club and has become an avid Parker collector (thanks to Doug H). She has a beautiful Royal Challenger set and is exploring other vintage Parker models. She knows I have a substantial 45 collection and was nice enough to get this one for me. I'm looking thru my other Parkers to see how I can repay her generosity.

The TX was one of the 45 lines aimed at the higher end market like the Harlequins and Coronets. It was only produced from 1979 to 1983 in Newhaven, UK. With this short window, they can be hard to find. Their most distinctive feature is a dark blue epoxy painted over a brass body with gold trim.

Later, another version was produced in Argentina and was made with black epoxy and a few other small variations. This fountain pen will go nicely with my blue pencil and black ballpoint. Thanks again, Tess.

Gorgeous!

I remember the first FP for which I paid over $100 was a 45 Coronet that Anderson Pens had on offer. I agonized for weeks about spending that much money - I was that new to the hobby!

I finally pulled the trigger on it, only to learn the next day that it had been sold already.

August 28, 2021

PLEXOR / PARKER

Just arrived in the mail today, a Plexor fountain pen. I have learned that Plexor was licensed to make Parker pens under this name in France. It's a double jeweled button filler. I've seen mentioned that it is similar to an English Duofold. I have it pictured here between a Vacumatic and Eng. Duofold. It's a little thicker than the Vacumatic and a hair slimmer than the Duofold. After restoring the filing system, it should make a nice addition to my Parker collection.

If you have any information about these pens, please share.