Parker 51 Deskpen & Base

[Snargle]

I cruised through my local flea market yesterday morning and managed to grab a nice cordovan Parker 51 Deskpen and Onyx Base. As near as I can determine, it's a first year model (circa 1941) with an aluminum speedline Vacumatic filler, no date code, blue diamond on barrel (although blue paint is missing), sharp tapered handle, and Parker imprint on the tapered handle. It's in nice condition and cleaned up quite well, although the filler mechanism will need restoration. Needless to say, I'm quite happy with this score and I'm particularly tickled that it only cost me USD $10! http://fountainpenboard.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/cool.png

 

 

 

[Florida Blue]

Congrats on an awesome find!

 

It is a 1st year 51 desk pen.

[OcalaFlGuy]

That's beautiful, What a DEAL!

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[mknoblauch]

Amazing find, Larry!

 

I wish we had things like that here at flea markets in Miami!

[Snargle]

Amazing find, Larry!

 

I wish we had things like that here at flea markets in Miami!

This particular flea market has been very good to me. I also collect vintage razors and shaving brushes, and between pens and shaving stuff, I almost always come home with something good. This is my second Parker 51 from there. The first was a P51 Aerometric that I grabbed for 50 cents!

 

I would think that Florida, with its high population of retirees and older folks, would have a lot of vintage items...maybe they dump all that "old junk" before they move down to sunny Florida!

[JotterAddict62]

Nice find!!!

[Gerd W]

Very nice, congrats!

[OcalaFlGuy]

Larry.

 

You might want to sit down for this.

 

I happened to be over on The Dark Lord's site (Dr. I) checking out some dating info on Plums and I stumbled over Your pen there Minus your base. Apparently this pen maybe be rareR as the Dark Lord said that one was the Only One he'd ever had.

 

Just the pen, no base sold for $300.

 

I'd call yours a Sumgai For Sure.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

 

[Snargle]

Larry.

 

You might want to sit down for this.

 

I happened to be over on The Dark Lord's site (Dr. I) checking out some dating info on Plums and I stumbled over Your pen there Minus your base. Apparently this pen maybe be rareR as the Dark Lord said that one was the Only One he'd ever had.

 

Just the pen, no base sold for $300.

 

I'd call yours a Sumgai For Sure.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

 

Wow...not too shabby. Now the question is whether to keep it or use it to finance other purchases? I'm not particularly interested in desk pens and I don't really collect Parker 51s...I have a couple and I enjoy using them, but my collection seems to be more focused on Sheaffer, Sheaffer sub-brands, and pretty celluloid from the 30s & 40s. Decisions, decisions, decisions...

[pajaro]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1941-Parker-51-Desk-Pen-w-Aluminum-Speedline-Filler-and-Imprint-on-Taper-/291121309821?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43c82ea87d

[Snargle]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1941-Parker-51-Desk-Pen-w-Aluminum-Speedline-Filler-and-Imprint-on-Taper-/291121309821?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43c82ea87d

I saw that one...it was a Buy-it-Now listing. I suspect the seller could have done better with a regular auction format.

[Ernst Bitterman]

Quivering with envy yet again. I'll call it an exercise regime.

 

Amazing find, Larry!

I wish we had things like that here at flea markets in Miami!

I wish we had things like flea markets. Garage sales are so dang diffuse...

[OcalaFlGuy]

Larry, I should have elaborated a bit.

 

The site I looked at is one of the best known and respected on-line. They are known for having ordinary And not so ordinary models. As such a respected site, their sold prices certainly represent the Higher(est?) pricing you are likely to see. OTOH, I'd put some value in that site owner saying the one he had was the only one he Has Had.

 

I am not saying Your pen will fetch $300 just that that amount Paid for one just like it sure raised my eyebrows.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[Snargle]

Thanks, Bruce. I understand that Dr. Dave's stuff will probably sell for more than the average Joe (or Larry), but I'm still pretty jazzed that this flea market find turned out to be a desirable, collectible piece. Half of the fun for me is the hunt. The fact that it's a trophy makes it even more satisfying.

[pajaro]

Thanks, Bruce. I understand that Dr. Dave's stuff will probably sell for more than the average Joe (or Larry), but I'm still pretty jazzed that this flea market find turned out to be a desirable, collectible piece. Half of the fun for me is the hunt. The fact that it's a trophy makes it even more satisfying.

 

You have to get a break sometime. It's what keeps you going.