Chalkmarks.

[MancFrank]

My NOS Parker 51 arrived today and, after squinting in rubbish light for a date code (think I found a six but need to check tomorrow!), it set me thinking - when were chalk marks first used by Parker and when did the practice cease?

 

Most I've seen or have, at least where the pricing still exists, date from pre -decimal times ('50s onwards) whilst those from the decimal era seem fewer in number and, going off of pricing, from no later than the mid seventies at the latest. Also, this seems a uniquely British practice / tradition - did any other countries follow suit?

 

Regards,

 

Frank

[FarmBoy]

You inking it up and polishing it?

 

Farmboy

[mitto]

  On 3/11/2016 at 2:44 AM, FarmBoy said:

You inking it up and polishing it?

Farmboy

I don't think he would like to polish away the chalkmarks.

[Fermata]

  On 3/11/2016 at 12:57 AM, MancFrank said:

My NOS Parker 51 arrived today and, after squinting in rubbish light for a date code (think I found a six but need to check tomorrow!), it set me thinking - when were chalk marks first used by Parker and when did the practice cease?

 

Most I've seen or have, at least where the pricing still exists, date from pre -decimal times ('50s onwards) whilst those from the decimal era seem fewer in number and, going off of pricing, from no later than the mid seventies at the latest. Also, this seems a uniquely British practice / tradition - did any other countries follow suit?51Chalk.jpg

 

Regards,

 

Frank

 

 

 

I would agree with your dates Frank and I have only seen UK examples. Very nice 51 BTW. if the box is original to the pen it is post 1957.

[mitto]

  On 3/11/2016 at 12:57 AM, MancFrank said:

My NOS Parker 51 arrived today and, after squinting in rubbish light for a date code (think I found a six but need to check tomorrow!), it set me thinking - when were chalk marks first used by Parker and when did the practice cease?

 

Most I've seen or have, at least where the pricing still exists, date from pre -decimal times ('50s onwards) whilst those from the decimal era seem fewer in number and, going off of pricing, from no later than the mid seventies at the latest. Also, this seems a uniquely British practice / tradition - did any other countries follow suit?51Chalk.jpg

 

Regards,

 

Frank

You really seem to be sticking to your words. None for you other than those chalkmarmed. Lol.

 

Whatever the date code you have a nice 51.

[MancFrank]

Thanks all. Parkette, I need to view the pen in full daylight to confirm (or not) the six I thought I saw yesterday - I'm not well up on Parkers UK dating practice & there seems to be some confusuion, although I guess it's entirely possible that a 1956 manufactured pen ended up supplied in a 1957 box? That box is nice & fresh, too - as opposed to reeking of embrocade, stale biscuits and dead cats - so it's probably old shop stock.

 

Ha, not this pen, FarmBoy - maybe next time! Actually, what I'm really keen to ink is a white capillary 61 - I have a theory (actually, it's a bit more than that) regarding the white / pink / red aperture uninked claims that I'd like to put to the test.

 

I'm trying Mitto, I'm trying... Chalkmarked pens are probably half of what I've got so far, with the emphasis being mainly on 61s & 45s, You'll doubtless have noticed that if I like a pen, I'll buy it - chalkmarked or not.

 

Regards,

 

Frank

[the_gasman]

Please excuse a question from a thick-head!

 

Is a chalk mark actually a mark made with chalk? What is the significance of it?

 

Derrr, I warned you that I was thick!

 

Cheers,

David.

Edited March 11, 2016 by the_gasman

[mitto]

  On 3/11/2016 at 3:02 PM, MancFrank said:

Thanks all. Parkette, I need to view the pen in full daylight to confirm (or not) the six I thought I saw yesterday - I'm not well up on Parkers UK dating practice & there seems to be some confusuion, although I guess it's entirely possible that a 1956 manufactured pen ended up supplied in a 1957 box? That box is nice & fresh, too - as opposed to reeking of embrocade, stale biscuits and dead cats - so it's probably old shop stock.

 

Ha, not this pen, FarmBoy - maybe next time! Actually, what I'm really keen to ink is a white capillary 61 - I have a theory (actually, it's a bit more than that) regarding the white / pink / red aperture uninked claims that I'd like to put to the test.

 

I'm trying Mitto, I'm trying... Chalkmarked pens are probably half of what I've got so far, with the emphasis being mainly on 61s & 45s, You'll doubtless have noticed that if I like a pen, I'll buy it - chalkmarked or not.

 

Regards,

 

Frank

45s too? All I knew was that you were after chalkmarmed 51s and 61s. Be happy with your chalkmarked hunting.

 

Best.

[Fermata]

  On 3/11/2016 at 3:21 PM, the_gasman said:

Please excuse a question from a thick-head!

 

Is a chalk mark actually a mark made with chalk? What is the significance of it?

 

Derrr, I warned you that I was thick!

 

Cheers,

David.

 

 

David

 

The marks are chalk like, very easily rubbed off. The purpose of the marks is generally for the benefit of shop staff selling Parkers where there are no other identifying marks on the box. The model is shown together with nib width and often with the recommended selling price.

[MancFrank]

Mitto: Yes, the chalkmarked 45s were impulse buys in my early days (says this long - standing collector of all of about a month!). That said, I was really rather annoyed to get home the other day and discover that a red chalkmarked 45 fountain & pencil set had gone for £12 & I'd forgotten to bid...

 

My current chalkmarked inventory stands at:

 

3 x Parker 61 - 2 Custom, 1 Classic.

1 x Parker 51 - As above pic.

2 x Parker 45 'twin set' F. Pen & Pencil - 1 Green De Luxe GT, 1 Black De Luxe GT.

1 x Parker 45 - Navy De Luxe CT.

1 x Parker Super 17 'twin set' F. Pen & Pencil - Black.

1 x Parker Duofold Junior - Black.

 

I have other, uninked & unused pens too, mainly 61s, but also an early 70s 45 Flighter.

 

Regards,

 

Frank

[mitto]

  On 3/11/2016 at 3:21 PM, the_gasman said:

Please excuse a question from a thick-head!

Is a chalk mark actually a mark made with chalk? What is the significance of it?

Derrr, I warned you that I was thick!

Cheers,

David.

 

 

You may read this thread :

 

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/148561-what-is-chalk-marked/

[icardoth]

Parker Argentina used to chalkmark pens, but only with the nib width enclosed in a circle. I've seen examples on 45s, 51s and 61s.

[JotterAddict62]

Parker also used chalk marks on the Jotters when selling them loose in a wooden bin.

[FarmBoy]

  On 3/11/2016 at 3:02 PM, MancFrank said:

Thanks all. Parkette, I need to view the pen in full daylight to confirm (or not) the six I thought I saw yesterday - I'm not well up on Parkers UK dating practice & there seems to be some confusuion, although I guess it's entirely possible that a 1956 manufactured pen ended up supplied in a 1957 box? That box is nice & fresh, too - as opposed to reeking of embrocade, stale biscuits and dead cats - so it's probably old shop stock.

 

Ha, not this pen, FarmBoy - maybe next time! Actually, what I'm really keen to ink is a white capillary 61 - I have a theory (actually, it's a bit more than that) regarding the white / pink / red aperture uninked claims that I'd like to put to the test.

 

I'm trying Mitto, I'm trying... Chalkmarked pens are probably half of what I've got so far, with the emphasis being mainly on 61s & 45s, You'll doubtless have noticed that if I like a pen, I'll buy it - chalkmarked or not.

 

Regards,

 

Frank

The fiber end cap colors are not a mystery are they?

[MancFrank]

  On 3/11/2016 at 10:31 PM, FarmBoy said:

The fiber end cap colors are not a mystery are they?

 

You tell me... given that all and sundry - including dealers of long established repute - will tell you any of those colours at the capillary apertures means an unused, uninked pen. This makes absolutely no sense - the materials used are the same & a little basic chemistry reveals why.

 

Given that it's known that Parker UK tested every 61(they all came with a little hang tag stating 'tested with Parker Super Quink') & assumed that Parker in the US did not, I think it far more likely that:

 

White capillary ends indicate an untested, unused pen.

 

Pink capillary ends indicate a tested pen (of UK manufacture) with no consumer use.

 

Red capillary ends (which also appear slightly swollen in comparison to the above) indicate light consumer use.

 

Obviously, those which show the more usual deep blue / black capillary ends have had semi - regular to regular use over a reasonably prolonged period.

 

Or, at least, that's how it seems to me. In lieu of some kind of full, chemical analysis, my little suggested experiment should tell us for sure.

 

Regards,

 

Frank

[the_gasman]

Thanks mitto and Parkette, I have enjoyed learning something new.

 

David.

[FarmBoy]

The white inserts are early and do not wet well. Parker switched materials and the red ones are not the same.

 

The original run of 61s is filled from the front.

[MKeith]

  On 3/11/2016 at 4:17 PM, MancFrank said:

Mitto: Yes, the chalkmarked 45s were impulse buys in my early days (says this long - standing collector of all of about a month!). That said, I was really rather annoyed to get home the other day and discover that a red chalkmarked 45 fountain & pencil set had gone for £12 & I'd forgotten to bid...

 

My current chalkmarked inventory stands at:

 

3 x Parker 61 - 2 Custom, 1 Classic.

1 x Parker 51 - As above pic.

2 x Parker 45 'twin set' F. Pen & Pencil - 1 Green De Luxe GT, 1 Black De Luxe GT.

1 x Parker 45 - Navy De Luxe CT.

1 x Parker Super 17 'twin set' F. Pen & Pencil - Black.

1 x Parker Duofold Junior - Black.

 

I have other, uninked & unused pens too, mainly 61s, but also an early 70s 45 Flighter.

 

Regards,

 

Frank

 

 

You're a better man than I Gunga Din! I've yet to meet or own a pen that I didn't need to write with. Obviously I will never be a true collector. Beautiful classic color 51 you acquired, Thanks for sharing and starting a thread with so much useful information.

[MancFrank]

I have my eye on one of those 'pre - pro' nib fillers... Maybe next month?

 

My dissection of both a dead MK I & dead MK II (acquired for parts / vivisection*) reveal the capillary material to look exactly the same, btw.

 

'Gunga Din'! Christ, not heard that for many a year! Each to their own, eh? I enjoy having things I can merely admire for their beauty of form. I used to collect fine wines and rare spirits, but found it impossible to resist the urge to biologically reprocess them into shockingly coloured shades of p1ss and continent sized hangovers

 

Regards,

 

Frank

 

* Yes, i know you can't vivisect something that's already dead. But what if I killed them?? Maybe I'm a pen murderer. Mwahahaha...

Edited March 11, 2016 by MancFrank

[FarmBoy]

The reservoir material is the same. The plug differs.