Parker 51 Signet.

[farmdogfan]

I found this set today, apart from a needlepoint sized mark on the FP cap it looks allmost new and it has never been inked, the box also looks very clean.

 

Only drawback is an engraving which i am going to leave as it is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[WayTooManyHobbies]

I'm in awe - that is absolutely gorgeous. Congratulations on your find!

[SockAddict]

That's gorgeous! And neither black nor the metals are my usual taste. But that really is stunning.

 

I'm of two minds of names engraved on spotless pens. I like the history of a name, normally, but if that person didn't use the pen, that brings up whole different story possibilities. Hmmm….

[farmdogfan]

Thank you both, if i could remove the engravings i would certainly do it, but for the moment i am not sure how to do it without scarring the pen, so they will just have to stay for the time being.

[SockAddict]

I wonder if you could do like people used to with old tattoos? Have someone do some more engraving, so it looks like an abstract design or flowers or something?

[farmdogfan]

I wonder if you could do like people used to with old tattoos? Have someone do some more engraving, so it looks like an abstract design or flowers or something?

I think that i am going to leave it as it is.

[farmdogfan]

It has got a number 9 after the "made in england", would the pen be from 1959 then?.

[Florida Blue]

It has got a number 9 after the "made in england", would the pen be from 1959 then?.

 

It's possible. Parker Janesville stopped date coding 51s in 1952, but continued with pencils until 1955. Canada date coded fountain pens into the 1960s. I know very little about date coding at Parker Newhaven, but perhaps they continued on into 1959.

 

Technically, if the pen was made in 1959 it would be an Insignia rather then Signet as Parker changed the name in 1957.

 

It's a gorgeous set! You always seem to find the nicest Parkers.

[OcalaFlGuy]

Man.

 

That is a Clean set.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[Barkingpig]

Engraving can successfully be removed by a person who does "hand" engraving provided it is on a "solid" metal (sterling or gold) & NOT a plated surface. The person I have used also does the trophy engravings for Churchill Downs Racetrack so she IS accomplished! However I always think it looks better when RE-engraved in the same spot! As hand engraving is so expensive I would be tempted to leave them "as is" & if anyone ever asks why the initial are different from your own answer that it is an "inherited" piece. I think people who would comment on such are really NOT entitled to much of an explanation!

Because I have such a weakness for monogrammed initial I have purchased three sets of sterling silver flatware ONLY because they were engraved. One set carries the word "Cactus"upon it's handle. I have always wondered "Why Cactus?" & been charmed @ the possibilities. I have Sheaffer fountain pens & pencils carrying both my parent's "signatures."

I also like to think that the person who purchased the set thought enough to "mark it." I don't know I feel as favorable to engraving "non metal" surfaces but I always think when a cartouche or place left empty looks odd to NOT be filled in.

I say "your Great Uncle's children just sent you his pen set when they heard how much you liked using fountain pens!"

I sure would be happy to have found it & thank you for sharing.

[farmdogfan]

Thank you all for the comments!

 

Florida Blue, insignia it is then.

 

Bruce, well, it´s not uninked anymore, last night i wrote with it, funny to watch the transparent sac fill with ink, 4 pushes and it is filled all the way up.

 

Barkingpig. this a plated surface, so i don´t think there is much to do about it, i could change my name off course.

 

Anyway, the letters are quite small, so they don´t really bother me.

 

Regards Per.

[Eccles]

It has got a number 9 after the "made in england", would the pen be from 1959 then?.

I think a single digit would indicate '49 rather than '59; IIRC the date code went to double digits from about 1950.

Beautiful set, either way... quite irresistible.

Glenn.

[farmdogfan]

Thanks Eccles, allways nice with some more info, BTW it has the "press 4 times" filler.

[mariom]

I think a single digit would indicate '49 rather than '59; IIRC the date code went to double digits from about 1950.

Beautiful set, either way... quite irresistible.

Glenn.

 

I have an English 51 imprinted " Made in England .5. ". The nib is stamped 1955, so it looks like Newhaven was using single digits well into the 50s.

 

And indeed a stunning set.

[farmdogfan]

Thanks for your input mariom.

 

This one has no dots or anything surrounding the 9.

Edited February 11, 2015 by farmdogfan

[mariom]

Well, the imprint on my pen is so faint that the dots could be in my imagination, but I'm fairly sure they're present. Definitely a single digit, though.

[crescentfiller]

Engraving can successfully be removed by a person who does "hand" engraving provided it is on a "solid" metal (sterling or gold) & NOT a plated surface. The person I have used also does the trophy engravings for Churchill Downs Racetrack so she IS accomplished! However I always think it looks better when RE-engraved in the same spot! As hand engraving is so expensive I would be tempted to leave them "as is" & if anyone ever asks why the initial are different from your own answer that it is an "inherited" piece. I think people who would comment on such are really NOT entitled to much of an explanation!

Because I have such a weakness for monogrammed initial I have purchased three sets of sterling silver flatware ONLY because they were engraved. One set carries the word "Cactus"upon it's handle. I have always wondered "Why Cactus?" & been charmed @ the possibilities. I have Sheaffer fountain pens & pencils carrying both my parent's "signatures."

I also like to think that the person who purchased the set thought enough to "mark it." I don't know I feel as favorable to engraving "non metal" surfaces but I always think when a cartouche or place left empty looks odd to NOT be filled in.

I say "your Great Uncle's children just sent you his pen set when they heard how much you liked using fountain pens!"

I sure would be happy to have found it & thank you for sharing.

Barking, I share your sentiments. I've used the old "it belonged to my grandfather/grandmother/uncle" line several times. As for your sterling flatware, are you familiar with the old putdown, "They're the sort of people who buy their silver"? It nicely defends the possession and use of silver with not just one set of initials, but a variety of them! That is, we're NOT that sort!

 

Anyway, that set is far too nice to tamper with, let alone worry about the engravings. Use them. Enjoy them!

 

best,

daniel

[farmdogfan]

Thanks Daniel, yes, i will leave it as it is.

 

And it´s a very smooth writer.

 

regards Per

Edited February 11, 2015 by farmdogfan

[SockAddict]

I actually made my suggestion in jest, but now that I've thought of it, I'm keeping it in the back of my mind if I find an engraved pen not otherwise in nice condition!

 

*fingers crossed that I might find a Parker of any type in the wild someday … *

[farmdogfan]

I think it´s difficult on a plated pen, one would have to fill the letters with something.