Whitefriars Desk Pen Bases - What Colours Are Out There?

[Inkysloth]

Hi folks,

In further desk pen queries, I really like the Whitefriars spherical desk pen bases. I have three so far, and would like to know what other colours were made. I've seen red, and black, are there any others?

Thank you!

Whitefriars bubble glass desk pen bases. by Robin Inkysloth, on Flickr

[sherbie]

I have at least 2

 

The ruby red is marked up with Parker twice ( pen holder and gold plated ring) whereas the kingfisher blue has no parker markings

 

While Both i am certain are Whitefriars, the bubble size and distribution are different, as well as the actual pen holder is a different design

[joss]

I have at least 2

 

The ruby red is marked up with Parker twice ( pen holder and gold plated ring) whereas the kingfisher blue has no parker markings

 

While Both i am certain are Whitefriars, the bubble size and distribution are different, as well as the actual pen holder is a different design

 

I think that the sockets are from two different periods and/or pen models (left one: ca 1950s Parker 51 or 21 desk pen; right one: early 1960s Parker 45 desk pen).

 

Does anyone have an idea about the manufacturing period of the Parker Whitefriars desk bases? There were also ashtrays.

[Inkysloth]

<snip>

The difference in bubble pattern is interesting! All of mine have the diagonally gridded bubbles - I didn't know they also did horizontal / vertical bubbles. More variation to look out for!

 

 

I think that the sockets are from two different periods and/or pen models (left one: ca 1950s Parker 51 or 21 desk pen; right one: early 1960s Parker 45 desk pen).

 

 

I also have the two different sockets on these bases - one is the same as on a Parker 45 base (The brass propeller in this post - possibly 3rd party / home made / custom: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/345242-parker-45-desk-pen-propeller-base/ ). Given the nature of the Magnetix bases I can see them becoming decoupled from their original bases very easily.