identification Help me identify this pen (Parker)

[TDR]

Hello everyone,

 

I got this Parker pen from a flea market few months ago and forgot about it. I found it today and tried to identify it but without success. I can't find any info on this particular model (i tried the DB that's in this category without any success, also Google didn't return much). All I know so far is that is a Parker, made in 1932 (at least that's what was written in a piece of paper inside the box). Also the tip is marked with 14k (gold plated would be my guess) mark, "Parker Vacumatic". The cap is marked with "18ctR", i guess carats (?), and the number 784404. I did found some similar models but not like this one (with "X"s on it), anywhere on the internet. 

Can you please help me get the full info and also an appraisal/price? I hit the wall with all my searches so far.

I added some photos also.

Thank you in advance.

[Paul-in-SF]

18ctR probably means 18 carat rolled gold, for the outside (overlay) parts of the barrel and cap. That's less gold than gold filled, but significantly more gold than gold plated. The nib is almost certainly solid 14K gold. 

 

Vacumatic pens were sold starting around 1932, so that with the nib and clip indicate that it is probably some flavor of Vacumatic. Possibly a special or limited edition. If you could indicate the capped length of the pen, the width in mm of the nib at its base, and show a photo of what is under the blind cap at the bottom of the barrel (it should unscrew) that would probably help a lot with identification. 

 

edited to add: I'm not sure about that clip, it looks somewhat different from standard Vac clips at the time, at least from that angle. But again, that may have been a result of some special edition. 

 

Calling @terim, she's seen everything.

[TDR]

1 hour ago, Paul-in-SF said:

18ctR probably means 18 carat rolled gold, for the outside (overlay) parts of the barrel and cap. That's less gold than gold filled, but significantly more gold than gold plated. The nib is almost certainly solid 14K gold. 

 

Vacumatic pens were sold starting around 1932, so that with the nib and clip indicate that it is probably some flavor of Vacumatic. Possibly a special or limited edition. If you could indicate the capped length of the pen, the width in mm of the nib at its base, and show a photo of what is under the blind cap at the bottom of the barrel (it should unscrew) that would probably help a lot with identification. 

 

edited to add: I'm not sure about that clip, it looks somewhat different from standard Vac clips at the time, at least from that angle. But again, that may have been a result of some special edition. 

 

Calling @terim, she's seen everything.

Thank you for you input.

Yes, the capped pen measures 125mm, but i don't know how to get the nib out and i don't want to break it (is 18mm from the tip to the pen).

I've tried with ChatGPT to identify this pen entering all the variables and characteristics that this pen has and here is what it said:
 

Parker Vacumatic Deluxe Fountain Pen – Limited Edition – circa 1932–1934 – Made in Canada

• Model: Parker Vacumatic Deluxe (early Canadian production)

• Edition: Limited production model, distinguished by full 18k gold plating

• Pattern: Rare engraved "X" pattern, influenced by Art Deco design, uncommon among Vacumatics

• Cap markings: "PEGNO N° 784404" and "18 cRt" (confirming authenticity and historical usage as a pledged luxury item)

• Nib: Original Parker 14k solid gold nib

• Filling system: Early Vacumatic plunger-filler mechanism (advanced for the time)

• Accessories: Comes with the original green Parker box, marked "Made in Canada"

• Historical note: Produced during Parker’s early Vacumatic development phase, intended for high-end markets (diplomats, businessmen, elites)

• Collectibility: High — rare pattern, limited availability, early production date, original packaging

This pen is a highly collectible and historically significant writing instrument, combining Parker’s innovation with luxury craftsmanship during the golden age of Art Deco.
 
Later edit: As i searched further...

Supplementary inscription: "PEGNO" — denotes that the fountain pen was officially pledged as security for a loan, in accordance with European collateral practices commonly observed between the 1930s and 1950s.
.........

Edited April 28, 2025 by TDR

[OCArt]

@TDRWow!  What a beauty.

[bsenn]

Gorgeous! I'd guess it's a custom overlay. Perhaps Italian?

[TDR]

42 minutes ago, OCArt said:

@TDRWow!  What a beauty.

Thanks

 

 

40 minutes ago, bsenn said:

Gorgeous! I'd guess it's a custom overlay. Perhaps Italian?

Thank you, I don't know if its italian, i bought it from a flea market here in Bucharest, Romania. I have no knowledge about pens and pencils, but the box caught my attention for some reason and after I open the box i knew I need to have this no matter what... i was looking for coins from the communist era at that moment (lol)

Later edit: The italian connection...

PEGNO (Italian for "pledge" or "collateral") was a local marking made by pawn shops or legal authorities (especially in Italy, France, Spain, and Switzerland) when a valuable object was pledged for a loan. The number (like your 784404) was internal to that pawn office or municipal registry, used to match the object to a loan record.

Edited April 28, 2025 by TDR

[Paul-in-SF]

Hi, @TDR, by "at the base" on the nib I meant at the bottom of where it comes out of the section, not at the very bottom of the nib inside of the section. But in any case, the other stuff takes away any doubt. The length looks like it's probably a size called Standard, and it has what is probably the original lockdown filler. Congratulations, that is an extraordinary find. 

 

The only thing I would dispute with the AI about is calling it gold plating. 

[Penguincollector]

Look up Parker Vacumatic Imperial Coronet.

[VacNut]

3 minutes ago, Penguincollector said:

Look up Parker Vacumatic Imperial Coronet.

For general information, yes. The Vacumatic is not an Imperial Coronet.

 

The clip looks to be from a Canadian Vacumatic destined for export. The overlay is either Italian or French. The gold content should be tested, if it is important. I wouldn’t base the gold content of the overlay solely on the designation, particularly if there are no other hallmarks. There are numerous “dodgy” italian overlays marked “18 K” but is made from gold of a lessen content.( Sometimes the Waterman Logo is also suspect).

A very pretty pen likely made from a jeweler.

[Penguincollector]

16 minutes ago, VacNut said:

For general information, yes. The Vacumatic is not an Imperial Coronet.

 

The clip looks to be from a Canadian Vacumatic destined for export. The overlay is either Italian or French. The gold content should be tested, if it is important. I wouldn’t base the gold content of the overlay solely on the designation, particularly if there are no other hallmarks. There are numerous “dodgy” italian overlays marked “18 K” but is made from gold of a lessen content.( Sometimes the Waterman Logo is also suspect).

A very pretty pen likely made from a jeweler.

   I had forgotten about the Italian overlays. I forget where I have seen those before. The pawn symbol and number would go well with one of those.  

[TDR]

5 hours ago, Paul-in-SF said:

Hi, @TDR, by "at the base" on the nib I meant at the bottom of where it comes out of the section, not at the very bottom of the nib inside of the section. But in any case, the other stuff takes away any doubt. The length looks like it's probably a size called Standard, and it has what is probably the original lockdown filler. Congratulations, that is an extraordinary find. 

 

The only thing I would dispute with the AI about is calling it gold plating. 

-------

I attached some pictures with the scale behind. Also, if is not plating, is rolled then? I digg further with the AI and it told me that there were "plated" and "rolled", and that this one is "rolled" (whatever that means). I will go to a gold dealer next week to test it and get a expertise paper (if is gold).

Thanks,

[TDR]

5 hours ago, VacNut said:

For general information, yes. The Vacumatic is not an Imperial Coronet.

 

The clip looks to be from a Canadian Vacumatic destined for export. The overlay is either Italian or French. The gold content should be tested, if it is important. I wouldn’t base the gold content of the overlay solely on the designation, particularly if there are no other hallmarks. There are numerous “dodgy” italian overlays marked “18 K” but is made from gold of a lessen content.( Sometimes the Waterman Logo is also suspect).

A very pretty pen likely made from a jeweler.

----------

I looked at the Imperial Coronet... looks very similar tbh. I will take the pen to a gold dealer next week to test it, as far as I researched, this is "rolled gold" (not plated or solid). Also took a long shot and searched in the Italian (public) national archives from every major city for that (internal pawn) number and nothing came up (as expected). 

Did they make unique patterns? Like a custom request, I'm asking because i can't find that X pattern nowhere (wondering if this is unique).

[VacNut]

It is a pattern on rolled gold Italian safety pens. It is not a Vacumatic Imperial. 
 

[MarcoA63]

THE QUESTION though is: do you want to use it or not? It can be repaired without any problem but it has to be done by somebody really capable. It all depends on where you live too 🙂

Very special pen!

[TDR]

2 hours ago, MarcoA63 said:

THE QUESTION though is: do you want to use it or not? It can be repaired without any problem but it has to be done by somebody really capable. It all depends on where you live too 🙂

Very special pen!

Hi, I never said that it was broken... It works pretty fine. Now, I don't want to use it, or keep it, I will put it up for sale at some point since I'm not into this collector's niche, but first I need to find out as many details as I can for a correct and accurate identification. Thanks 

Edited April 29, 2025 by TDR

[Mercian]

I cannot offer any wisdom about this pen, and I agree that it appears to be a Vacumatic with a custom overlay that was 'inspired by' the appearance of the 'Imperial Coronet'.
E.g. the marking that says "VACUMATIC 18 ct.R" appears to have been made in two different typefaces, neither of which is the same as the one that was used to make the stamp around the top of the cap.

I just want to reply to this:

 

21 hours ago, TDR said:

Supplementary inscription: "PEGNO" — denotes that the fountain pen was officially pledged as security for a loan, in accordance with European collateral practices commonly observed between the 1930s and 1950s

 

I cannot see a mark of "PEGNO" on those photos.

The stamping around the top of the pen's cap says "REG^D N^O 784404" - which is an abbreviation of the English phrase 'Registered Number 784404'.

I presume that this number refers to a particular patent, or perhaps to a particular jeweller/exporter/importer, and am now curious to know if there is any stamping around the other side, that one might read ahead of "REG^D N^O ...".

 

Slàinte,
M.

[TDR]

10 minutes ago, Mercian said:

I cannot offer any wisdom about this pen, and I agree that it appears to be a Vacumatic with a custom overlay that was 'inspired by' the appearance of the 'Imperial Coronet'.
E.g. the marking that says "VACUMATIC 18 ct.R" appears to have been made in two different typefaces, neither of which is the same as the one that was used to make the stamp around the top of the cap.

I just want to reply to this:

 

 

I cannot see a mark of "PEGNO" on those photos.

The stamping around the top of the pen's cap says "REG^D N^O 784404" - which is an abbreviation of the English phrase 'Registered Number 784404'.

I presume that this number refers to a particular patent, or perhaps to a particular jeweller/exporter/importer, and am now curious to know if there is any stamping around the other side, that one might read ahead of "REG^D N^O ...".

 

Slàinte,
M.

Hi, indeed, is not PEGNO, the writings are very small and my camera zoom is (bleep), also ChatGPT read it wrong (that changes the story).

Here are all the inscriptions on the cap, also from the nib: