Duofold Pencils

[SwordsMightBeMightier]

Duofold senior pencils….. :

 

I am curious if anyone out there knows if there are different sizes of the Sr pencils. To be specific, I am NOT including any of the streamlined versions here, ONLY the flattops. I know there are the “big bro” pencils but I am not sure/clear as to whether or not those are the same/same size as a senior pencil, even if the pencil does not have the “big bro” imprint. 
 

Any help would be great, 

 

Thanks

[FlighterGuy]

Parker launched the 'Big Bro' pencils in 1924, #77 Red/#87 Black/#97 Chased Black. (note: all ending in 7)

In 1925 the black bands were added to both ends of the barrel (probably to mask graphite discoloration)

 

Now between 1925-26 several things happened 

Parker launched the Pastel Pens int the Lucky Curve line with their new material Permanite.  The colors were "Magenta, Naples Blue, Mauve, Beige Gray, Coral - and in larger sizes Mottled Green".  Now one is paying attention, the #48/#49 pens have a dash B/C/G/L/M and the Mottled Green pens are #102/#103/#107 and pencils are #172/#173/#177.   (note: just like the Duofold numbering system)

When Parker launches the red/black Permanite Duofolds in 1926 the Black Tipped Jade closely follows. 

Mutiple imprints appear on the Mottled Green pens & pencils and there is a lot of variation within the green.  But in the end, all of the barrels are the same size because they have to fit the same mechanism. 

 

BUT there were short caps available for the senior pencils, which in turn would reduce the overall length.  And the first thing that a collector would do is replace it with the longer cap. 😄

 

[Barry Gabay]

Hello SwordsMightBeMightier & FlighterGuy, 

 

Interesting question. I have encountered some Duofold pencils in a variety of sizes which could not be clearly classified as to Senior, Junior, or Lady.  Below are some Duofold flattop pencils which, I believe, are Senior, Junior, & Lady. 

 

According to parkerpens.net, the Pastel was a slim model made between 1927 and 1932 in both flattop and streamlined designs. Resembled the Duofolds of each era but were considerably smaller. My only Pastels have been Junior size. 

 

Finally, I have several senior jade Duofold fountain pens (some lacking the name Duofold) with three different imprints on their barrels. According to Shepherd and Zazove's book, Parker Duofold, Parker did not mark the first green ones with Duofold to protect the product name in case the plastic proved unreliable & unstable. 

 

Thank you all for introducing an interesting topic. 

 

Enjoy your weekend. 

Best wishes,

Barry

 

 

[joss]

You are correct about the three different pencil sizes. Here is a March 1927 Sat Ev Post advertisement showing the three sizes. They are described as being "Big Brother" Over-size, Junior Over-size and slender Lady-size:

 

 

[FlighterGuy]

In September 1926 there was "and in larger sizes Mottled Green".  In October 1926 there was Blacked-tipped Jade "... like the famous Duofold pens."  NOTE: in that ad the Pastel colors are now Mauve, Magenta, Naples Blue, Coral or Beige Gray with the Blacked-tipped Jade pen/pencil shown separately at the bottom.  Still not yet a Duofold but no longer a Pastel.

 

In the 1927 Catalog Apple Green was added to the Pastel line.  And Blacked-tipped Jade was added to the Duofold line.  Now the model numbers for the Blacked-tipped Jade Duofold pens are #102/#103/#107 and the pencils are #172/#173/#177.  Which just happens to be the same model numbers of the Mottled Green Pastel pens/pencils and totally supports Duofold brand name protection discussion.  This was probably a good decision because of the variation in color in the earlier pens. By May 1927, one third of Duofolds sold were Jade and the color was more consistent. 

 

 

As you can see the larger size Mottled Green pen/pencil are the same size as the Duofolds.  

 

 

 

[Barry Gabay]

Thank you joss and FlighterGuy,

 

Great ads! Thank you both for being  my teachers. I never before knew there was an oversize Pastel fountain pen. Something else to hunt for among great Parkers from 1920s. 

 

I have several different barrel markings on senior jade green models. Will try to post photos if I can make the barrel inscriptions clear enough.   

 

Thanks again, gents.

Best wishes, 

Barry

[FlighterGuy]

40 minutes ago, Barry Gabay said:

Thank you joss and FlighterGuy,

 

Great ads! Thank you both for being  my teachers. I never before knew there was an oversize Pastel fountain pen. Something else to hunt for among great Parkers from 1920s. 

 

I have several different barrel markings on senior jade green models. Will try to post photos if I can make the barrel inscriptions clear enough.   

 

Thanks again, gents.

Best wishes, 

Barry

Barry,

I think that you missed a point.  There are NO oversized Mottled Green Pastel pen/pencils.  There are however several different versions of Green pen/pencils that are Duofold sizes with Duofold model numbers that were initially included with the Pastels in 1926.  These were then excluded from the Pastels in October 1926.  Then they existed just as Lucky Curves for a few months until they became part of the Duofold line in 1927.

FlighterGuy

[Barry Gabay]

Thank you FligherGuy,

 

I often miss the point, but am fairly used to it by now. My wife and others around me just smile, shake their heads, and generally are kind when saying, "No, it's not that way at all. . . "  In any event, I genuinely appreciate your clarification about the Pastels and the green models from 1926-27. I have found information exactly like that contained in your final sentence. 

 

Below are four senior barrel photos from my collection showing various degrees of color deterioration. All, however, are great writers. Two are marked Duofold. One is marked "Lucky Curve" and one says "Parker." Those two have Lucky Curve nibs rather than Duofold nibs.  Hope the photos load.

 

Have a great remainder of your week and a wonderful holiday. Thanks again. Barry