Parker desk set interesting

December 8, 2009

Bought Parker desk set at estate sale. Passed it by on first Saturday of sale for $18. Went to second Saturday of sale and it was still there. Picked it up and turned it over and saw on bottom it was Parker. Offered $10 and got it. Brought it home and my wife pointed out it was designed to be cigarette holder and ask tray. There was no pen. It is odd but I sort of like it and am looking for pen for it. If anyone knows where I can buy appropriate Parker for it please let me know. See picts at http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr227/dbaker2/IMG_1540.jpg

and

http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr227/dbaker2/?action=view&current=IMG_1535.jpg

December 8, 2009

The proper pens would be a 45, a 51, or a 61. Not difficult to find any of them.

Todd

December 9, 2009

Bought Parker desk set at estate sale. Passed it by on first Saturday of sale for $18. Went to second Saturday of sale and it was still there. Picked it up and turned it over and saw on bottom it was Parker. Offered $10 and got it. Brought it home and my wife pointed out it was designed to be cigarette holder and ask tray. There was no pen. It is odd but I sort of like it and am looking for pen for it. If anyone knows where I can buy appropriate Parker for it please let me know. See picts at http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr227/dbaker2/IMG_1540.jpg
and
http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr227/dbaker2/?action=view&current=IMG_1535.jpg

Hi Pennut

What you have there appears to be a version of Parker's model 403130 series from the 1959 Desk Set Catalog. The 403130 series was one of a few ceramic desk sets contracted by Parker to Royal Haeger pottery manufacture. Most Royal Haeger were marked but I speculate that later ones may not be.

What is evidenced by your label is the fact that Parker assigned different model numbers for versions that were either earlier or later than the '59 catalog. Yours also doesn't appear to be marked Royal Haeger (unless you find it marked out of the photo) yet it is identical to the 403130 series in the Rust finish (specifically 403139) as noted in the catalog description.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j316/mikelkirk99/Parker%20Desk%20Set%20403130/Parker403130AshTrayDeskSet.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j316/mikelkirk99/Parker%20Desk%20Set%20403130/ParkerDeskSetPens1959.jpg

Keep in mind that you should examine the pen holder closely. They were specific to the pen. Yours may, as stated in the catalog, be mated to a Jotter or any of the fountain pens mentioned on your label. Note that the 1959 "Jotter" as shown in the catalog photo is significantly different than the thinner Jotters used in other desk sets.

As your title states, this is "interesting". I have posted queries in search of other Parker desk set catalogs from the 50's and 60's that may show these ceramic desk sets but have found nothing as yet.

Edited December 9, 2009 by MLKirk

December 9, 2009

Thank you for this information. I am glad I bought it. After I saw it was an official Parker product I had a very good feeling about it. It is my understanding that you saw the second photo of the bottom of the set. I could not find any markings on it other than just the standard "Parker U.S.A." preceded by the Parker logo (?) which looks like a circle with arrow through it. By the way, I also have an older Parker Pastel Traveling desk set and will post up a picture for your comments.

December 10, 2009

Thank you for this information. I am glad I bought it. After I saw it was an official Parker product I had a very good feeling about it. It is my understanding that you saw the second photo of the bottom of the set. I could not find any markings on it other than just the standard "Parker U.S.A." preceded by the Parker logo (?) which looks like a circle with arrow through it. By the way, I also have an older Parker Pastel Traveling desk set and will post up a picture for your comments.

You undoubtedly got a nice deal, Pennut. Congratulations! The Parker logo, colloquially known as the "Halo Logo", is used on these ceramic pieces (obviously post 1958) on the bottom. I am still looking for more provenance on these sets. Yours is yet another piece of the puzzle. Thank you for posting it and the related photos.

I have seen a Parker Traveling Desk Set for sale by a friend in Janesville. The only one I've seen. I would be interested in seeing yours so I hope you will post it in this forum.