Parker Duofold "True Blue"

[QM2]

http://www.joonpens.com/db_image/PA_duofold_trueBlue_fp.jpg

Last week in Paris, I saw what I now know to be the Parker Duofold "True Blue" LE in a shop window. I had never seen or heard of it before, so I came in to look. The pen was priced at 675 Euros (just over 1,000 USD at today's conversion rates). The salesperson told me this pen was a special EU edition that has just been released, not available in the US, and that it was made of resin.

 

When I researched the pen online later, I learned that it is the "True Blue," made of acrylic, released over a year ago, and available from several US retailers in the $600-800 range (see Joon Pens).

 

I then learned that the pen is a replica of a 1928 pen, and found images of the original vintage version on PenHero.com.

 

http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Parker/Pics/ParkerTrueBlue05.jpg

http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Parker/Pics/ParkerTrueBlue06.jpg

 

On the PenHero website, it looks like the pen had nickel trim, but difficult to tell online-- does anybody know for sure?

 

I am also wondering about the importance and value of the original True Blue. It is such a beautiful pen, yet I never see it. Is it more rare and/or of value than the other colours? How much are the vintage versions typically sold for?..

 

Many Thanks,

QM2

Edited July 14, 2008 by QM2

[PAKMAN]

The new True Blue is quite beautiful and I would love to have one. The current pricing is the only thing holding me back! To see one of the originals in a truly mint condition is uncommon and they are quite striking. I think Dr. I has some great pics of some mint / near mint originals. From the Penhero article (partially repeated below) it appears that the low volume of sales and the severe discoloration that some pens exhibit make the truly good examples of the pen somewhat expensive.

 

From Penhero.com:

 

In 1928 Parker introduced one of the most sought after of these low-priced pens, known today as the "True Blue." This new slender blue and white swirled Permanite pen was called the "Three Fifty" in Parker advertisements and the color was called both "Modernistic Blue" and "Modern Blue-and-White." The line has many variations, but probably ceased production in 1929 with the streamlined versions. The True Blue line was not particularly popular, so they are not generally common, as are other larger Duofold models.

 

As with many Parker Permanite pens, True Blues are highly susceptible to discoloration stemming from ink staining and sac reactions to the plastic. True Blues are very often seen with strong variation in color between the cap and barrel. Caps tend to retain the original color well, a bright blue and cream white swirl, where discoloration tends to amber the white in strong contrast to the cap. Mint True Blues are rare and will be quite pricey. Even moderately discolored True Blues will sell for similar prices as excellent Big Reds.

 

 

[QM2]

  pakmanpony said:

From Penhero.com:

True Blues are highly susceptible to discoloration stemming from ink staining and sac reactions to the plastic. True Blues are very often seen with strong variation in color between the cap and barrel. Caps tend to retain the original color well, a bright blue and cream white swirl, where discoloration tends to amber the white in strong contrast to the cap.

 

I have a question regarding that. If the discolouration on pens such as these and the Sheaffer Jades, is supposed to be from the rubber sack and therefore limited to the barrel -- why then do we often see discoloured caps as well? Severely discoloured sometimes. Is that from the ink on the nib, or is there another reason?

 

 

 

[Aslan]

QM2

 

I have two of these wonderful pens, a "long" version and what is most likely a Juniorette according to the PenHero link you posted. I just acuired them recently and have not had a chance to post a review yet.

 

Both write very well. The longer of the two pens has a medium nib that writes with a hint of flex (only a hint) and the smaller has a firm fine point. The color is fair on the longer and pretty good on the shorter (referring to the discoloration of the barrel). Good imprints and apparently low usage pens in both cases.

 

As is the case with several of the vintage pens we all love today, they were not big sellers in their day. Pricing? I've seen it all over the place (mainly depending on the quality and color of the pen). One of those $50 to $500 kind of things.

 

Hope you find one!

 

John

[George]

The cap ambering has to do with the hard rubber inner cap (The top black part of the cap, which extends into the cap tube).

 

Hard rubber releases sulfur, and sulfur casues celluloid to amber and discolor. (Just like the ink sacs)

 

George

[QM2]

Aslan, thank you for the information! Do post a review when you have a chance, I think many people will appreciate reading about these pens in action and seeing lots of nice photos.

 

Re the $50-500 range: Yes, I am familiar with the frustrations of this! I have begun to "collect" vintage Conway Stewart flat-tops (I put that word in quotations because so far I only have 3 and even those only in theory as I have not actually received them yet!). When it comes to vintage CS of that period, two pens of the same model and colour can fluctuate wildly in price depending on condition of the pen. The positive side of this, is that it allows one to buy relatively inexpensive, battle-worn or user-grade versions of desired models, so as to study them before hunting for a mint specimen.

 

  George said:

The cap ambering has to do with the hard rubber inner cap (The top black part of the cap, which extends into the cap tube).

 

Hard rubber releases sulfur, and sulfur casues celluloid to amber and discolor. (Just like the ink sacs)

 

Thanks George. Are there modern replacements parts for these inner caps that fit? Otherwise, it seems that people are taking so much care in getting new silicone sacs to prevent or stop discolouration to their pens, while the caps remain vulnerable to this damage....

 

 

 

Edited July 13, 2008 by QM2

[penmanila]

i had one of these in very good condition many years ago but let it go in a trade.... i guess i never really took to the color and the pattern; i knew it was rare or at least unusual even then, but i'll take a nice jade duofold or a vac anytime

[QM2]

  penmanila said:

i had one of these in very good condition many years ago but let it go in a trade.... i guess i never really took to the color and the pattern; i knew it was rare or at least unusual even then, but i'll take a nice jade duofold or a vac anytime

 

Fair enough! Hopefully, there are others out there who want to part with their as well and will some day sell it to me at a good price. i really want one of these! It is my favourite vintage Duofold colour by far.

 

 

[Diamondback]

  QM2 said:

Fair enough! Hopefully, there are others out there who want to part with their as well and will some day sell it to me at a good price. i really want one of these! It is my favourite vintage Duofold colour by far.

 

QM2,

 

Roger Cromwell (Penopoly) currently has Tru Blue ringtop listed for sale on his website (link). Not sure if it is still available. May be a little small for you, but looks to be a good color example given the issues mentioned in this topic.

 

Disclaimer: No affliation - just a satisfied customer.

 

Mark

 

[QM2]

  Diamondback said:

  QM2 said:

Fair enough! Hopefully, there are others out there who want to part with their as well and will some day sell it to me at a good price. i really want one of these! It is my favourite vintage Duofold colour by far.

 

QM2,

 

Roger Cromwell (Penopoly) currently has Tru Blue ringtop listed for sale on his website (link). Not sure if it is still available. May be a little small for you, but looks to be a good color example given the issues mentioned in this topic.

 

Disclaimer: No affliation - just a satisfied customer.

 

Mark

 

 

Thanks Mark -- Penopoly's pen is indeed a good deal. I am guessing this is a late model Duofold, as it looks fairly streamlined on the photo. I should have specified that I am only interested in the non-streamlined, early Duofolds. That of course limits my chances of finding a nice True Blue even more, alas!

 

Still, I am half-expecting David I. to come along and make me cry with a dazzling glamour-shot of a mint, perfectly un-streamlined specimen... Maybe even a whole tray of them -- followed by the innocent caption: "like this?..."

 

: )

[david i]

  QM2 said:

http://www.cyberpens.co.uk/_RP8R.jpg

Last week in Paris, I saw what I now know to be the Parker Duofold "True Blue" LE in a shop window. I had never seen or heard of it before, so I came in to look. The pen was priced at 675 Euros (just over 1,000 USD at today's conversion rates). The salesperson told me this pen was a special EU edition that has just been released, not available in the US, and that it was made of resin.

 

When I researched the pen online later, I learned that it is the "True Blue," made of acrylic, released over a year ago, and available from several US retailers in the $600-800 range (see Joon Pens).

 

I then learned that the pen is a replica of a 1928 pen, and found images of the original vintage version on PenHero.com.

 

http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Parker/Pics/ParkerTrueBlue05.jpg

http://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Parker/Pics/ParkerTrueBlue06.jpg

 

On the PenHero website, it looks like the pen had nickel trim, but difficult to tell online-- does anybody know for sure?

 

I am also wondering about the importance and value of the original True Blue. It is such a beautiful pen, yet I never see it. Is it more rare and/or of value than the other colours? How much are the vintage versions typically sold for?..

 

Many Thanks,

QM2

 

The trim is gold-tone.

 

The pen is found in flat-top style and (as of about 1939) in streamlined style.

 

Couple sizes and trim configs are available.

 

It is a popular collectable from the period, likely mostly due to color... and that we have actual Parker info about it, i suppose.

 

Color preservation contributes a great deal to value.

 

Recognizing that any old pen can be trashed unto worthlessness, i'd assert- based on my experience with these- that prices retail range from $150-450+ (as one gets into "minty, superb color, larger size").

 

I should have couple fresh old ones up on my site next week or so, so so color but priced to recognize that.

 

Note too that it is not a Duofold, but rather a "sub" Duofold simple Parker Lucky Curve (at least for the flat-top pens)

 

Here are some images of the True Blue

 

regards

 

david

 

http://removed.xyz/penteech/parkertrueblue.jpg

 

http://removed.xyz/penteech/parkertruebluepair50per.jpg

 

 

Oh yeah, a truly special one

http://removed.xyz/penteech/parkertruebluezb50.jpg

 

One i had up but opted to keep for longer while. Just too nice.

 

http://removed.xyz/websitesalespics/pen1895sm.jpg

 

regards

 

david

Edited July 13, 2008 by david i

[cjabbott]

It always kills me when you post those, David! I love True Blues. I fell in love at first sight and have been quietly acquiring variations ever since.

 

 

Granted, the blue on most of mine is not that true, but what's a boy to do? The three after the modern are American. The last three are Canadian.

 

The last two are a mid-size between the long ones and the juniorettes, which I had never heard of until I saw them. They are basically the same pen, but have different nibs (#2 and #3, with different imprints).

 

[david i]

  cjabbott said:

It always kills me when you post those, David! I love True Blues. I fell in love at first sight and have been quietly acquiring variations ever since.

 

 

 

Granted, the blue on most of mine is not that true, but what's a boy to do? The three after the modern are American. The last three are Canadian.

 

The last two are a mid-size between the long ones and the juniorettes, which I had never heard of until I saw them. They are basically the same pen, but have different nibs (#2 and #3, with different imprints).

 

Nice spread

 

The last two in a sense are not mid size... at least in the context of a given production period. Those are- i believe- the longer of the two streamlined forms, just as the long ones on the left are the longer of the non-streamlined forms. Sort of how a Duofold Sr. streamlined is shorter than an earlier Duofold Sr. flat-top. Both eras of True Blue (Flat Top Lucky Curve imprint and later Streamlined "Parker Pen" imprint) have two lengths.

 

regards

 

david

Edited July 14, 2008 by david i

[Aslan]

cj,

 

bee-you-tee-full pens... nice collection!

 

BTW, David humbles all of us when he posts those pix!

 

John

[cjabbott]

Thanks for the info, David. Having never had a streamlined Sr. pass through my hands, you can see the possibility for confusion.

 

Maybe you can answer another question of mine...pencil sizes?

[david i]

  cjabbott said:

Thanks for the info, David. Having never had a streamlined Sr. pass through my hands, you can see the possibility for confusion.

 

Maybe you can answer another question of mine...pencil sizes?

 

Hi,

 

Not sure i saw a question about pencil sizes...

 

regards

 

david

[QM2]

Thanks, David and cjabbott, those are incredibly nice. It is ironic that these lower-priced models now fetch such high prices. I will be on the look-out for an affordable version of one of the 1928 Lucky Curve models, which I realise will be hard to find. One more reason to try and make it to the NY/NJ pen show -- maybe I will get lucky there and spot one.

 

So, if one wants to prevent discolouration to the cap from the HR inner cap, is there a way to replace these? Do sellers who offer the pens restored often replace the original inner cap with a safe version, just like they replace the rubber sacks with silicone ones? I imagine this will have an effect on the value as well.

[cjabbott]

Was there just the one size pencil in clip and ring-top, or was there another size(s)?