Parker 51 in the house!

[shandy]

Hi Folks.

Last night at the Monthly local pen club meeting I picked up another grail pen, the Parker 51.

For those who do not know much about vintage pens the 51 has almost iconic status to collectors with some pens going for several thousand dollars. The 51 is regarded by many as the best pen ever made..I can see why now!

There are many variations of this pen, mine is the last variation, often called the MK3.
The pen was developed in 1939 and went into production in the US in 1941. Production went on until 1972 with pens still availible in the stores until the mid 70's
As you will see in my pictures it must have created quite the reaction in it's day for it's futuristic, hooded nib styling.

I could go on but there is a marvellous website which I would highly recommend if you are interested in learning more about this pen.
http://www.parker51.com/
It has a wealth of information which is of real help in hunting out the "perfect" 51 for you!

I must admit I had no idea until last night what version or year I was getting, all I knew was that it had a broad nib, quite a rarity for a 51 and one that comes at a premium when it comes to buying!

Well as per usual Brian, my vintage pen restorer (bjpens on ebay) came up trumps! I wanted burgundy and he just happend to have the perfect pen for me. Mine being the first of the Mk3's produced in 1969 with the 12k gold filled cap and Aeormetric filling system. The Pen, like all of Brians pens is beautifully restored and in near mint condition! It writes like a dream and I can see why these pens are so popular! The pen is fairly thin and I prefer to write with the cap posted on the end of the pen. The cap is a very smooth push on style.

This one now has got me wanting more. I would like to get an early Vacumatic one next so that I have a begining and ending pen so to speak. I think I will put the other pens on hold until I get that one!



Oh yes, one last thing! As I said in my vintage pen thread. Vintage pens are a great way to get a really high quality fountain pen for very little money!

This Fully restored, mint Parker with broad nib cost me $75 plus a traded Mint though non working Conway Stewart (needs a new ink sack) that would mean this one cost me around $100 and remember this one has the broad nib which is a premium

Here are a couple of pictures, the last one is with a selection of my pens so that you can see the nib sizes!


From the top going clockwise. Nakaya double broad stub flex nib, Montegrappa Medium flex nib, Parker 51 broad nib, Parker Duofold senior special with very flexi broad stub nib, and finally a Parker Vacumatic with medium mild flex nib.

[Numismatist]

Congrats on a fine grail. I've never seen a hooded nib like that.

It needs a nice Oriental pen rug to rest on!

[shandy]

Originally Posted by Numismatist

Congrats on a fine grail. I've never seen a hooded nib like that.

It needs a nice Oriental pen rug to rest on!

Ahh, Chris, I will be adding my writing sample today and hoping Thanks again for your generosity

[sunburst]

Ian, congrats on your grail.
Looks like it's in very nice conditioin.
I'll definitely take your advise of vintage FP?s.

[JBat]

It's a great looking pen, Ian. Congrats!

[Lion]

Ian, what a beautiful find and pen.....enjoy using your new writing instrument!!!

[shandy]

Originally Posted by sunburst

Ian, congrats on your grail.
Looks like it's in very nice conditioin.
I'll definitely take your advise of vintage FP?s.

Thanks Joji, there is something very special with wrting with a vintage, hope you get one soon and I can definately recommend Brian, great pens at good prices

Originally Posted by JBat

It's a great looking pen, Ian. Congrats!

Thanks so much John, hopefully we will soon be seeing a review of an edson from you! I see they have a new ltd edition out!
http://www.waterman.com/en/style/pens/special/edson

Originally Posted by Lion

Ian, what a beautiful find and pen.....enjoy using your new writing instrument!!!

I will Leo, thank you. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the new beauty your picking up on Sunday!

[Lion]

Originally Posted by shandy

I will Leo, thank you. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the new beauty your picking up on Sunday!

I'm sure it will write as smooth as butter as I'm finding out this is a characteristic of fountain pens. I'm glad I found the way and it's too bad for all my years of ignorance at how much fun fountain pens can be!!!

[STEELINOX]

Nice Ian !

[JimC]

Ian, congratulations on the new pen. I love the color and it looks like an excellent specimen. Nice comments and appreciate the link you provided. It is a unique and, for the time, futuristic design.

I, too, have looked at the 51 for a long time. I pulled the trigger the other day on a '50-'59 era pen listed on FPN, and waiting for it to arrive. Unlike your sought after broad nib, I went to the opposite end of the spectrum and found a F-EF.

Can't wait to see writing examples in your excellent hand.

[shandy]

Originally Posted by JimC

Ian, congratulations on the new pen. I love the color and it looks like an excellent specimen. Nice comments and appreciate the link you provided. It is a unique and, for the time, futuristic design.

I, too, have looked at the 51 for a long time. I pulled the trigger the other day on a '50-'59 era pen listed on FPN, and waiting for it to arrive. Unlike your sought after broad nib, I went to the opposite end of the spectrum and found a F-EF.

Can't wait to see writing examples in your excellent hand.

Congratulations Jim. I have a feeling you will very much enjoy the 51. I think it is one of those pens that if you are into vintage your collection is not complete without one!

Will do a writing sample sometime this weekend and in the meantime I am looking at 1st gen ones

[Skullring]

Congratulations Ian. That is a real find. Thanks for the tip on bjpens.

[shandy]

Originally Posted by Skullring

Congratulations Ian. That is a real find. Thanks for the tip on bjpens.

Thanks Phillip. I have no hessitation in recommending Brian!
He does a great job of restoring pens and gives does not over inflate the prices. Every pen I have bought from him works without problem and is in immaculate condition.

I think he gave me a real deal on this one though as I was just looking at various sellers on the net and something similar but with a fine nib is going for around $230 and remember the broad nib would command a premium on top of that!

[2careless]

Congrats Ian! The pen looks like in real mint condition!
Well done on such a find!

[shandy]

Originally Posted by 2careless

Congrats Ian! The pen looks like in real mint condition!
Well done on such a find!

Thanks Kai, it is a minter and I think I got a great deal, writes wonderfully as well Now to find an early Vac at the right price..I have emailed Brian!

[Taffi Abernathy]

Wow, I'll bet that made your day! Congrats on a terrific looking writing instrument.

[shandy]

Originally Posted by Taffi Abernathy

Wow, I'll bet that made your day! Congrats on a terrific looking writing instrument.

Ohh it did Faith! When are we going to convert you to vintage??

[Skullring]

I think a Parker 51 is the next one in line for me. I agree it is a good way to get a high quality pen for a very good price. parker51.com is great you can spend a lot of time there. The owners of that site have spent a lot of time and research on that site.

[shandy]

Originally Posted by Skullring

I think a Parker 51 is the next one in line for me. I agree it is a good way to get a high quality pen for a very good price. parker51.com is great you can spend a lot of time there. The owners of that site have spent a lot of time and research on that site.

I agree Phillip, it is a great site. A great many of the pen sites are really interesting. The folks who put them up are really dedicated researchers I think.

What 51 are you looking at getting?

Oh yes, thinking on your wonderful signature line I just got an English first edition of Walden the other week!

Also managed to score a marvellous Gazeteer shoing Thoreau's actual maps!

[Skullring]

I really don't have any particular 51 in mind right now. I don't think I will go wrong with any of them. I am keeping an eye on bjpens and will find something that suits me soon. I think it is amazing that you can find such nice vintage pens for such an affordable price. Thank you very much for the tip.

Now a first edition of Walden that is a great find on a whole other level. Congratulations my friend I know you will appreciate it more than anyone.

I think the more complicated the world becomes the more I want to simplify my life.

[shandy]

Originally Posted by Skullring

I really don't have any particular 51 in mind right now. I don't think I will go wrong with any of them. I am keeping an eye on bjpens and will find something that suits me soon. I think it is amazing that you can find such nice vintage pens for such an affordable price. Thank you very much for the tip.

Now a first edition of Walden that is a great find on a whole other level. Congratulations my friend I know you will appreciate it more than anyone.

I think the more complicated the world becomes the more I want to simplify my life.

You know Phillip, one day, and I am serious about this, I will have a little cabin similar to this. I have for the past 11 years been able to condense my life into two 80 litre bags. I rent furnished and have only that which can be put in my two bags. Even though I got married a few years ago It did not last long enough for me to accru much else!
Thank you so much for posting the picture!

[Skullring]

"A man is rich in proportion to the things he can afford to let alone." – Henry David Thoreau

You are a lucky man Ian. Have you heard about Richard Proenneke?

[shandy]

Originally Posted by Skullring

"A man is rich in proportion to the things he can afford to let alone." – Henry David Thoreau

You are a lucky man Ian. Have you heard about Richard Proenneke?

Thank you , I feel lucky most of the time! I have not heard of Richard but will google him now! Thank you for that!

[JimC]

I have heard of Richard... He is one who "escaped..." An amazing, but simple person, he survived the wilderness. At least in Alaska, that is easier said that done.

[daveathall]

Many congratulations Ian, that Parker looks in mint condition, love that colour, beautiful pen.

[Shangas]

*Wanders in at random*

I have three Parker '51's. One 1949 Parker '51' Flighter with a gold-filled cap-band, and two black Parker '51's with gold-filled caps. All three are aerometric-fillers.

*Wanders out again*

[shandy]

Originally Posted by JimC

I have heard of Richard... He is one who "escaped..." An amazing, but simple person, he survived the wilderness. At least in Alaska, that is easier said that done.

I just found a brief video of him on youtube. I think I will order the full DVD!

Originally Posted by daveathall

Many congratulations Ian, that Parker looks in mint condition, love that colour, beautiful pen.

Thanks so much Dave. I am really enjoying writing with it!

Originally Posted by Shangas

*Wanders in at random*

I have three Parker '51's. One 1949 Parker '51' Flighter with a gold-filled cap-band, and two black Parker '51's with gold-filled caps. All three are aerometric-fillers.

*Wanders out again*

Wanders out!!!! Shangas, how can you visit without charing pictures of your three. Having now seen a part of your collection I am guessing they will be worth looking at, wander back in and show is please