Parker Ultra Giant

[maxrhino]

Just one question Tim.

 

Did the seller know what they were selling?

Or in other words did you get a bargain?

[John Danza]

I decided not to do ebay with it and I think the 8k figure was thrown out as a joke. I am in no hurry and have not made the final decision to sell or not. I was quoted an estimate of the value by a top dealer that the right collector would pay and it was several times over the 8k figure. It does seem to be the best example currently known and maybe the only complete, undamaged one.

Tim

 

You are right to not go to ebay, for the reasons I stated earlier.

 

Also, I'm the one who threw out the $8,000 number originally. It was not meant as a joke. In my opinion, that's the floor price for a pen like this. It could very well be much higher. However, beware of "dealers" throwing out opinions of really high value. If they're not offering the buy, what this tactic is is a way to screw with the people who will actually offer you money by having you think that you shouldn't take less than $20k or $30K for the pen. If the dealer isn't actually offering you a price, beware of their comments. I'm not a dealer, just a collector who specializes in Parkers of this era. One of the serious buyers that is probably contacting you is someone I spoke to the other day to alert them to your pen, and he's the one that threw out that number as well.

 

Tim, I think your pen could do much better than $8k, but remember the market we're in. Even high cache pens are down in value, certainly relative to the days of the early 1990s when all collectible commodities (pens, collector cars, coins, etc.) were getting really high prices.

 

Let's talk about rarity. This pen is very rare. There are less than a handful known with the original red pen. While that would lead pen folks to believe that your pen must be worth at least as much as a full Aztec ($20K - $30K), there is more than just rarity that gets factored in. Gold and silver overlay pens are more attractive than hard rubber, and they can be easily displayed. The Ultra Giant and it's little pen need to be kept in constant darkness otherwise they'll start to discolor, so the ability to display them is diminished. So while this pen is rarer than an Aztec, they will probably always be more valuable. I'll get off my soapbox now.

 

If you bring it to Chicago, shoot me an email and let me know. We'll get together for lunch or dinner and I'll introduce you to the couple of serious buyers of a pen like yours that will be there. While a couple of the other shows are larger now than Chicago, you won't find another show with more serious vintage pen collectors, especially Parker.

[PenMeIn]

I decided not to do ebay with it and I think the 8k figure was thrown out as a joke. I am in no hurry and have not made the final decision to sell or not. I was quoted an estimate of the value by a top dealer that the right collector would pay and it was several times over the 8k figure. It does seem to be the best example currently known and maybe the only complete, undamaged one.

Tim

 

You are right to not go to ebay, for the reasons I stated earlier.

 

Also, I'm the one who threw out the $8,000 number originally. It was not meant as a joke. In my opinion, that's the floor price for a pen like this. It could very well be much higher. However, beware of "dealers" throwing out opinions of really high value. If they're not offering the buy, what this tactic is is a way to screw with the people who will actually offer you money by having you think that you shouldn't take less than $20k or $30K for the pen. If the dealer isn't actually offering you a price, beware of their comments. I'm not a dealer, just a collector who specializes in Parkers of this era. One of the serious buyers that is probably contacting you is someone I spoke to the other day to alert them to your pen, and he's the one that threw out that number as well.

 

Tim, I think your pen could do much better than $8k, but remember the market we're in. Even high cache pens are down in value, certainly relative to the days of the early 1990s when all collectible commodities (pens, collector cars, coins, etc.) were getting really high prices.

 

Let's talk about rarity. This pen is very rare. There are less than a handful known with the original red pen. While that would lead pen folks to believe that your pen must be worth at least as much as a full Aztec ($20K - $30K), there is more than just rarity that gets factored in. Gold and silver overlay pens are more attractive than hard rubber, and they can be easily displayed. The Ultra Giant and it's little pen need to be kept in constant darkness otherwise they'll start to discolor, so the ability to display them is diminished. So while this pen is rarer than an Aztec, they will probably always be more valuable. I'll get off my soapbox now.

 

If you bring it to Chicago, shoot me an email and let me know. We'll get together for lunch or dinner and I'll introduce you to the couple of serious buyers of a pen like yours that will be there. While a couple of the other shows are larger now than Chicago, you won't find another show with more serious vintage pen collectors, especially Parker.

Hi John, when I posted the reply I did not realize you quoted the 8k figure and I think it did not come across as I meant it. I intended no dis-respect. It just seemed awfully low based on what I have been told and based on the other one or tow have sold for and they had issued or were not complete.

 

I will be the first to say I know almost nothing about pens or the pen market. I do know some about collecting and bought the item because of the fact that it may be the best example known. In any field of collecting the best example would fetch a premium price in the right situation.

 

When I first posted on this forum I was helping my friend and did not own the pen outright but had an interest in it. Since then I did buy the pen for a considerable amount. The guy I got it from did some research and did know what he had and did not care whether he sold it or not. He was not in a situation where he needed the money. He got a great deal. I paid several times over the 8k figure and I believe I also got a good deal because it is still less than I was told it may be worth. It is the kind of item that I am not hurt by buying whether or not I sell it. I do sincerely thank everyone that has contributed to this thread.

Tim

[John Danza]

Hi John, when I posted the reply I did not realize you quoted the 8k figure and I think it did not come across as I meant it. I intended no dis-respect. It just seemed awfully low based on what I have been told and based on the other one or tow have sold for and they had issued or were not complete.

 

Hi Tim,

 

I didn't take it as disrespectful at all, so we're all good. I just wanted you to know that there was some real-world market analysis behind that number.

 

If you've paid a couple of times the $8K for the pen, I think you can certainly get your money back and perhaps a bit of a profit. It's going to be tough in this market though. If you're hoping to get north of $25K or $30K, I think you're going to have it for a while. It's a great pen though, and there are a few advanced collectors that would love to have it, so it may all work out well. Again, let me know if you want to come to Chicago and meet up with some of the folks who might be interested.

 

How are you liking the snow? My wife's brother lives in Alpharetta (north of Atlanta) and he said they got 3 inches last night.

 

All the best,

John

[PenMeIn]

Hi John, when I posted the reply I did not realize you quoted the 8k figure and I think it did not come across as I meant it. I intended no dis-respect. It just seemed awfully low based on what I have been told and based on the other one or tow have sold for and they had issued or were not complete.

 

Hi Tim,

 

I didn't take it as disrespectful at all, so we're all good. I just wanted you to know that there was some real-world market analysis behind that number.

 

If you've paid a couple of times the $8K for the pen, I think you can certainly get your money back and perhaps a bit of a profit. It's going to be tough in this market though. If you're hoping to get north of $25K or $30K, I think you're going to have it for a while. It's a great pen though, and there are a few advanced collectors that would love to have it, so it may all work out well. Again, let me know if you want to come to Chicago and meet up with some of the folks who might be interested.

 

How are you liking the snow? My wife's brother lives in Alpharetta (north of Atlanta) and he said they got 3 inches last night.

 

All the best,

John

 

I love snow that comes and stays one day only about once a year. I'm ready for warm weather for awhile. My son lives off exit 12 on Georgia 400 in Alpharetta. It's a small world indeed.

Tim

[skybird]

All I can really add is that this pen must be properly documented via pen books and its locality noted for the future. It is like a valuable artwork and it should not be lost for posterity as another (if its isn't the same one) example appears to.

[skybird]

I was going through my emails and found this posted at the beginning of the month on Zoss list. Seriously - - only spotted this now!

 

http://s986.photobucket.com/albums/ae350/thompenshop/UltraGiantFS/

 

Text of email:

 

I offer here a Replica of the extremely rare Parker UltraGiant. I turned three of these pens and have decided to part with one. TheGiant with its baby tucked inside is turned in ebonite. It has a replica #12nib. The pen is engraved with its original inscription with the additionalword,"Replica". The pen is offered here for $1.000. U.S. Email if you have specific questions. Thanksfor looking.

 

 

 

Chris Thompson

 

 

[John Danza]

I was going through my emails and found this posted at the beginning of the month on Zoss list. Seriously - - only spotted this now!

 

http://s986.photobucket.com/albums/ae350/thompenshop/UltraGiantFS/

 

Text of email:

 

I offer here a Replica of the extremely rare Parker UltraGiant. I turned three of these pens and have decided to part with one. TheGiant with its baby tucked inside is turned in ebonite. It has a replica #12nib. The pen is engraved with its original inscription with the additionalword,"Replica". The pen is offered here for $1.000. U.S. Email if you have specific questions. Thanksfor looking.

 

 

 

Chris Thompson

 

 

I've seen this pen up close and personal as I visited Chris in his shop a couple of years ago. It's a really nice pen and I would love to have it, but I don't have the money for it how. This pen is a replica of Jonathan Steinberg's UG, which is the one that David Nishimura was selling on consignment in that page that was referenced in an earlier post. I'm 99.9% certain that Chris made the replica little red pen for Jonathan's UG. The little red pen replica uses a Parker 51 nib, which I think is pretty clever of Chris.

[MLKirk]

Boy you sure started a flurry of interest...a veritable bee's nest with this pen(s), Tim.

 

Firstly, thank you for posting those shots. There are many collectors on FPN that are keenly interested in, though may never see or afford such a pen; like myself.

 

Secondly, the advice you are getting with regard to taking it to Chicago in May and the fine advice from John and some others is excellent. Lynn Sorgatz is definitely one of the premier Parker experts as are a few others not mentioned. Chicago will certainly bring out the top collectors and seriously advanced ones to boot. I was not planning to attend, but may change that plan just to get a first-hand look at your Ultra Giant.

 

Your specimen seems certain to make a book or two so please consider hosting it for photos if requested. Geoffrey Parker has been to the Chicago show in the past and if he is able to attend, may be a great photo op as well as sharing it with his hands. He is most gracious and willing to talk about Parker Pens (and flying, too) being the de facto family historian. He has co-authored the Parker Vacumatic book as well as contributed to the Duofold book and is said to be at work on a book about Parker's famous ballpoint, the Parker Jotter.

 

You will find a fraternity of collectors in the pen world second to none in quality and character as well as passion. Your pen will bring out the best in the pen world and hopefully, not the worst if handled well.

 

Best of luck to you and I hope to see you in Chicago later this spring. Please keep posting to let us know if you will attend.

Edited February 14, 2010 by MLKirk

[PenMeIn]

Boy you sure started a flurry of interest...a veritable bee's nest with this pen(s), Tim.

 

Firstly, thank you for posting those shots. There are many collectors on FPN that are keenly interested in, though may never see or afford such a pen; like myself.

 

Secondly, the advice you are getting with regard to taking it to Chicago in May and the fine advice from John and some others is excellent. Lynn Sorgatz is definitely one of the premier Parker experts as are a few others not mentioned. Chicago will certainly bring out the top collectors and seriously advanced ones to boot. I was not planning to attend, but may change that plan just to get a first-hand look at your Ultra Giant.

 

Your specimen seems certain to make a book or two so please consider hosting it for photos if requested. Geoffrey Parker has been to the Chicago show in the past and if he is able to attend, may be a great photo op as well as sharing it with his hands. He is most gracious and willing to talk about Parker Pens (and flying, too) being the de facto family historian. He has co-authored the Parker Vacumatic book as well as contributed to the Duofold book and is said to be at work on a book about Parker's famous ballpoint, the Parker Jotter.

 

You will find a fraternity of collectors in the pen world second to none in quality and character as well as passion. Your pen will bring out the best in the pen world and hopefully, not the worst if handled well.

 

Best of luck to you and I hope to see you in Chicago later this spring. Please keep posting to let us know if you will attend.

 

Thank you for the words of encouragement! I am definitely going to have it at the Chicago show. I'm going to go ahead and make my reservations early. Please come by and say hello.

[Rick Krantz]

Someone ought to fill that and write with it...

 

no, seriously, WOW, what a great find.

 

I wish I would have seen this earlier, rather than dealing with my snow shovel, and snow blower. What a great thread.

 

I think that you got to put it in perspective....

 

Prices, in the 1990's might have been an all time high for some of these items, I don't see that the market has really recovered on some stuff. Then, this is the king of finds, IMHO. I don't think that 20K is out of line for this pen, if you have the option, I would hold on to it for some time, unless someone offers you a real obscene price for it. I thank you for sharing it here, it is pretty incredible.

 

What is really great, is buying a regular giant too, seems a little funny, seeing that thing side by side.

[Penprophet]

The other com[lete ultragiants includenone the Cuevas sold I believe in Europe -- the end buyer identity has been lost and no one knows where that pen is. There is at least another complete one I know of. Nishimura is not selling

Steinberg's pen-- their site ids are just very close ( vintagepen.com vs. vintagepens.com ). Steinberg has had that price listed there unchanged for near 15+ years. It was a rediculous price at the time but probably not now.

The replacement red baby was made long before

Thompson was in the pen business-- it was made including the nib by Torelli.

 

I think this would go for b=very good money and I hope it is in a venue that I could be a bidder-- Ebay has problems but it would allow a large audience of bidders. The auction in Chicago would also be a good options. Bonhams is also having pen auctions which allow a large audience. Costs can be high but Bonhams would probably cut a deal to get this pen in their next pen auction. If you contact me, I can put you in touch with higher ups at Bonhams who would discuss details. The publicity and large audience available for bidding might be worth it.

 

Penprophet@yahoo.com

[Ray-Vigo]

In my book an in-person sale is required for this one. This is the pen world's equivalent of finding a Rembrandt at a yard sale. Yes, it's not worth as much as a Rembrandt, but it's about as valuable a pen as you'll run into, considering the presence of the small red pen. Basically you made the find of a lifetime, if not more. I would sell it too-- I frankly would lose sleep over the fact that I have such a valuable pen around, even if it's in a safe deposit box.

 

My only request is that for posterity that the pen be allowed some kind of documentation and study, perhaps so it can go into a future pen book. I am not a Parker collector really, though I have seen and held a regular Giant, but never an Ultra. I think it is a wonderful opportunity for the pen hobby to get some more information about these, especially because that original red pen is with it. I hope someone at the show will take pictures and make a study of the pen and share the information with the rest of us.

Edited February 15, 2010 by Ray-Vigo

[Toolan]

Somewhere there will be, in someones attic, an unopened box with a gross of them in it !

 

Toolan

[John Danza]

Bonhams is also having pen auctions which allow a large audience. Costs can be high but Bonhams would probably cut a deal to get this pen in their next pen auction. If you contact me, I can put you in touch with higher ups at Bonhams who would discuss details. The publicity and large audience available for bidding might be worth it.

 

Penprophet@yahoo.com

 

Bonhams is a good option as well. Auction houses will usually waive the seller's fee for an item of this magnitude just to make it a centerpiece of their auction. At least that would be my condition to Bonhams if it were my piece.

[thompenshop]

Just so that you will all know. I did not turn Jonathan's little pen. Brad Turelli did. I know that because Brad and I talk frequently by telephone. He told me that he turned Jonathan's pen. Jonathan also told me the same. I am very happy to view the pictures. The pictures make me feel much better about my replica pens. You are a very lucky man indeed to have come across such a wonderful find.

 

Chris Thompson

Thompson Pens

[Rick Krantz]

I had opportunity to have a table next to Mr. Thompson at the Philly pen show. He had his replica Ultra Giant there, and I got to say, it was an impressive beast. Well made, and I thought it was as close as I would come to holding an ultra giant. His stuff is really terrific, and fwiw, he is a super nice guy. He was working on a few pens behind the table, and took time to even show my two rugrats what he was doing. That's the kind of people that make the pen hobby such an inviting hobby.

[John Danza]

Just so that you will all know. I did not turn Jonathan's little pen. Brad Turelli did. I know that because Brad and I talk frequently by telephone. He told me that he turned Jonathan's pen. Jonathan also told me the same. I am very happy to view the pictures. The pictures make me feel much better about my replica pens. You are a very lucky man indeed to have come across such a wonderful find.

 

Chris Thompson

Thompson Pens

 

My mistake Chris. Sorry for passing along misinformation. I know you did a great job with your replica UG and the little pen and that you had modeled one of your replicas after Jonathan's pen, so I made an assumption that was incorrect.

[usasoccerboy]

I am researching this pen for a customer who may or may not have one. Here are the link to the photos on my facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151839855050303&set=pcb.10151839858510303&type=1&theater

[tjbanjo]

What's the end of this story? Did the pen get sold? If so, for how much? If not, why?