A Parker Vacumatic Candy Stripe, or not?

[joss]

Did anybody here follow this auction www.ebay.com/itm/324684680864 for a "Parker Fountain Pen - Brown & Gold Color Weave"?

Any thoughts from the Vacumatic experts on what the buyer bought for $326.09?

I include this picture for future reference:

 

 

[peterg]

It feels like a Japanese 'knock off' rather than a genuine Parker.

I notice that there is no photo of the filling mechanism.

[Brian-McQueen]

Definitely not original Parker.

[SwordsMightBeMightier]

I believe Parker did have some prototype Vacs that had the candy stripe pattern. I can’t see this listing anymore to know whether or not this one is legitimate. If it’s real the price seems normal. 

[joss]

The pen is not a real Parker Vacumatic and, as Peterg suggested above, likely the Japanese knock-off. Info on the Vacumatic Candy Stripe, and the confusion caused by these Japanese knock off pens, is not that difficult to find so I was surprised to see that pen being sold for $326. If it was real then I guess that the selling price would have been at least 4 to 5 times $326.

[Hbanger]

On 7/1/2021 at 10:04 AM, peterg said:

It feels like a Japanese 'knock off' rather than a genuine Parker.

I notice that there is no photo of the filling mechanism.

Are there a lot of Parker pens that are repo/fake I have seen some that I’m sure were patterned after 51s but you could tell easily and I have seen the fantasy pieces made by custom makers. Are there any that are intentionally faked to deceive collectors like many other collectible items are faked?

[Ron Z]

42 minutes ago, Hbanger said:

Are there any that are intentionally faked to deceive collectors like many other collectible items are faked?

 

Oh yes, many!  The Parker Duofold was and is one of the most copied designs.  Same with the Vacumatics.  Note that there were other brands that were made by Parker using the same celluloid or hardware, sometimes even the same flling systms.  I've seen many off brands made outside the US (typically Mexico or Italy) that are made with arrow clips, some inventive way to get around the patents on the filling system, and usually a bright and/or flashy material, but are always inferior in quality.  The Chinese are still at it - the latest disaster being the celluloid copies of the Sheaffer Balance with a gold dot.  You also find cases where the name is close to the original, close enough to take advantage of the possible confusion.   Waterson is classic example.

[SwordsMightBeMightier]

On 10/8/2021 at 10:38 AM, Hbanger said:

Are there a lot of Parker pens that are repo/fake I have seen some that I’m sure were patterned after 51s but you could tell easily and I have seen the fantasy pieces made by custom makers. Are there any that are intentionally faked to deceive collectors like many other collectible items are faked?

Pretty sure the Parker Sonnet FPs that are available on eBay for under $10 are fakes

[amk]

Most of the fantasy Parker 51s aren't intended to deceive. I collect them - some lovely ebonite and "Happy Colours" 51s  as well as one in the blue flecked material used for modern Duofolds.  But they do use the original Parker caps and nibs/filling equipment of course.