Parker 75 R.m.s. Queen Elizabeth Help!

[Angelus]

I posted this in the new member section and it was suggested i post in here about my questions regarding my Parker 75 R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth Pen with Treasure Chest. I am very new to the whole fountain pen area so i do hope that someone can help me on my query. My grandfather passed away 3 years ago and i was gifted a few things when packing his stuff up, while cleaning the house and going through old boxes i came across this "Treasure Chest" type wooden box. Inside the chest was a very old fountain pen (almost an olive green but looked old) that had a pull out tray, a lower compartment underneath with what looks like the key to locking the chest as well as a meal piece about 2.5in long, i assume its a extra part for the pen if it breaks down, and there was a cloth piece that you put your pen in to keep it covered. Also inside there is a green faux velvet lining inside with a certificate of authenticity saying its a "Parker 75 R.M.S. Queen Elizabeth" fountain pen. Engraved on the the side of the pen there is a number of "141/5000" so i assume there are only 5000 of them and its number 141 but i could be wrong. After looking around on the forums here someone posted a picture that looked exactly like what i have, here is what that picture was:

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some pics i took of the pen and treasure chest, sorry for the poor quality its a bad webcam, i don't own a regular camera. I hope this isnt over kill on photos im just curious to find out what i do have and if anyone knows the origin of this pen, why it was a limited set of pens.

 

 

 

If anyone can give me any idea if im on the right track of what this pen is and any idea on what its value might be now. Thanks for all your help and for taking the time to read my post

[ceejaybee]

The best place to start with all things 75 is the Parker 75 website, LTW has info on the RMS 75 here

 

With regards to value on Ebay I've seen them sell for £250 used without the packaging and £400 upwards in unused condition with all the original accesories. I haven't seen one sell for a while now though, but there is one on at the moment (Ebay UK) but it's used and from a zero feedback seller plus there's a reserve so it might not sell as well as it otherwise might.

 

Parker 75s are very collectable and as a limited Edition it's always going to attract a lot of attention.

Edited October 28, 2010 by ceejaybee

[Angelus]

Thanks ceejaybee for the link, lots of great information there. My pen does not have the RMS QE Booklet, are these booklets hard to find? The pen has never been used, from my understanding it was a gift my grandfather got and kept it as a collectable and never used the pen.

[algabatz]

In 1977 a beautiful Parker“75” was made from brass that was salvaged form the wreck of the Atlantic oceanliner RMS Queen Elisabeth. Constructed in the 1930’s she was, for the nextthirty years, the largest passenger liner ever built. She caught fire and sankin the Hong Kong harbour early in 1972.

 

Thepens had an oval plaque engraved “H.M.S. Queen Elisabeth”. Each of the 5 000pens were numbered on the cap lip and came with an equal numbered certificate.There were two different wooden boxes offered. The larger one was made frommahogany (?) had brass corner fittings and a lock with a key, not unlike atreasure chest. The smaller one was made from walnut wood that had been handpolished. The box sported a large brass plaque that featured a stylised drawingand information about the ship.

 

During 2010 it has sold for between $604 and 811 on eBay.

 

 

/Tony

 

 

[welch]

Keep it. Use it. It was given to your grandfather, and now you have it...that is special!

[ceejaybee]

Thanks ceejaybee for the link, lots of great information there. My pen does not have the RMS QE Booklet, are these booklets hard to find? The pen has never been used, from my understanding it was a gift my grandfather got and kept it as a collectable and never used the pen.

 

I think the chances of finding a booklet are pretty slim, but if you're worried about it's absence affecting the value I wouldn't worry too much, I don't think it'll put too many, if any, collectors off, I'm sure the rest of the package and the condition would be enough to put a very big smile on someones face

[Mike Schutz]

Keep it. It's not to often we get something from a close relative that is of real sentimental value. Having a piece like this will always be a reminder for you of your grandfather. To a collector it will just be another piece in his aquisitions. I have an old 51 that belonged to my father-in-law. He passed away in the 60's and it is the only thing I have of his. It is a wonderful reminder of his life for me.