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My grandfather recently passed away, and one of the items that he left to me was a Parker Vacumatic. I have tried to figure out more about the pen from online articles and unofficial Parker collector sites, but so far have not had much luck. It seems that this particular pen is somewhat different than many of the most common subtypes. I was hoping that someone here might have the expertise to help me identify the when it was made, the subtype/style, and any other relevant information that could help me in appreciating this final gift from my grandfather. While I would never sell it, any insights you had regarding its value would also be greatly appreciated. I have uploaded several photos of the pen's various elements to this album: https://imgur.com/fpngallery/ne786kA Some of the features of this pen seem somewhat rare or abnormal: - the blue diamond on the clip is actually black (perhaps due to age?) - the band around the bottom of the cap is silver in color and comprised of fine horizontal lines (seems like a different design than most) - nib has an arrow etched on it, but is gold (not two-toned) Thank you in advance, and I look forward to any information you can provide!

I've just been reading a very interesting thread about famous people's pens. It got me thinking about what other people have used. SO: What pens appear in your family history, and are they still in the family? (By this, I mean any member of your extended family who is higher up the family tree, whether they are still alive or not - parents and aunts/uncles are fine, siblings don't count.) Bonus question. Future history: If you could choose only one fountain pen that you currently own to hand down to the next generation, which would it be? I'll start. My maternal grandmother used a Parker Vaccumatic every day. I imagine that she acquired it not too long before the outbreak of World War II. It was lost after her death, but from my mother's description, it was likely the larger version, with the golden pearl finish. Which pen to hand down? To answer, I have to know why I'm handing it down - mainly as an object to be used, or as something to remember me by. As an item to be used, I'd probably pass on my Sailor Pro Gear: it's top quality in every respect, is sober enough to be used in any situation, is sized to fit both larger and smaller hands, I like it very much, and with its cartridge/converter system it's simple enough for no-fuss use. For an heirloom item, I'd probably go for my Pelikan M800: it not only writes beautifully, but I've tinkered with it myself, and is just the right size for me, as well as being a better reflection of contemporary society than a more vintage pen. (edited for spelling)