Mkiii Parker 51 Color Question

[Carguy]

In reading the Parker 51 book, I am finding a color I didnt know they made in a MKIII 51 - Turquoise Blue. Very similar to that color 61 which is my favorite color in that range. Do any of the big collectors have a 51 in Turquoise Blue that they can share a picture of? Id also like to see Rage Red for reference. I picked up a red Argentina model but its not as bright as I expected it to be.

 

Any one willing to share would be greatly appreciated.

 

Mike

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

Managed to find this

https://grandvisionpens.com/products/rare-vintage-parker-51-blue-aerometric-fountain-pen-mkii-14k-fine-nib

[Carguy]

Dang that’s pricey!! Pretty but not at that price....

 

And apparently my dumb a%$ managed to post this topic twice somehow!

 

Mike

[christof]

Hi Mike
According to Richard Binder, the colour is called Vista Blue. Here is a picture of an example of a Mk III:

(http://www.richardspens.com/ref/profiles/51.htm)



here's the whole range:



...except Charcoal.

 

And here's a picture of the 61 which color is also called Vista Blue:

(http://www.richardspens.com/ref/profiles/61.htm)

 

Mk III in Rage Red:

 

and 61 in Rage Red:

 

...which is apparently not the same colour.

 

Hope this will help.

c.

Edited July 20, 2020 by christof

[Parker Quink Turquoise]

Interesting.What is the difference between an aerometric fill Model 51 and a squeeze fill Model 51?

[IThinkIHaveAProblem]

Interesting.What is the difference between an aerometric fill Model 51 and a squeeze fill Model 51?

AFAIK a squeeze fill is just a colloquial term for an Aero-metric filler.

[inkstainedruth]

As opposed to a hoop filler (which you find on 51 Specials, 21s, 41s, and some later Demi size 51s): they don't have the sac sleeve with the press bar, which are on standard size Aerometrics and early Demis, and instead have a hoop surrounding the sac (my 1949 Plum Demi is early enough to have the "standard" Aero guts with the the sac sleeve, but the Demi (not sure if it's Teal or Midnight Blue) that my husband picked up at an antiques fair last winter has the hoop filler.

@ Christof -- Very interesting info about the Mark III models. I can see myself wanting the Olive and the Rage Red (the Vista Blue? Not so much -- it's a little, um, eye-searing... ). But I have a question about your picture about the color range: the second and third pen on the left look different, but the Mark III color list on Richard's site "Dark Blue" as a single color. Were there differences in rod stocks to account for the differences in color in your photo?

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[christof]

Hi Ruth

The second on the left is dark blue, but the third is Teal blue which is missing on Richards site.

My theory is, that there were colors only made in the USA (as rage red for exampe) and others were only made in GB, as theal blue. But as said, just a theory...

c.

Edited July 22, 2020 by christof

[inkstainedruth]

Thanks for the information. I don't have any of the MkIIIs.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Carguy]

I now have 3 of the MKIII models and while I like them, they aren’t up to the standard of previous models. They scratch easier and seem flimsier.... if that makes sense.

[CS388]

I now have 3 of the MKIII models and while I like them, they aren’t up to the standard of previous models. They scratch easier and seem flimsier.... if that makes sense.

The lucite of the older 51's makes all the difference to the whoie package, imho.

[christof]

I now have 3 of the MKIII models and while I like them, they aren’t up to the standard of previous models. They scratch easier and seem flimsier.... if that makes sense.

 

Absolutely correct, when it comes to the U.S. made Mk III. These are made of a softer injection molded plastic. But the GB made ones were still machined of "Lucite". Two years ago, I wrote about my observations concerning this here on FPN:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/353841-whats-up-at-christofs/?p=4062929

 

...and as a sidenote, once I did a comparison between a Parker "51" Mk III and an Argentinian made Parker 61 Mk II (which is in fact closer to the "51" Mk III than to the U.S. made Parker 61). Just follow the link:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/353841-whats-up-at-christofs/?p=3995194

 

C.

Edited July 23, 2020 by christof