Chalkmarks.

[oztech]

I can't comment on UK Parker 61 capillary fillers, however, I have, over many years, (when he was still alive) had many conversations about Parker with Mr. Don Miller who was Quality Control Manager at Parker Pen when the 61 was developed and introduced to the market. Many of these conversations were about the 61 Test Market Pen, but he did, on a couple of occasions, relate the story of (what came to be) the 61 roll out.

As QC Manager he found out that the first production run of Parker 61's ready for release to the world did not work, the WHITE felt at the end of the filler unit would not allow the capillary cell to fill with ink. He wrote a memo to Phil Hull that the 61 had problems and should not be introduced. He was overridden, Kenneth Parker had already committed to a release date and would not change it.

Consequently, the first 60,000 Parker 61's that went out did not work…

Don Miller was covered by his memo and continued to work for Parker in various managerial roles until his retirement in 1982.

The 61 filler was modified to use a treated felt that would allow the capillary filler to work. The treated felts were colored RED to distinguish them from the bad white felts.

 

I knew Don to be a loyal and proud Parker employee as well as true gentleman, I trust his story is valid and the real reason there is, at least for US Parker 61's, a difference between the white and red felts on a Parker 61 capillary filler unit.

 

 

 

 

[mitto]

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

 

I share your love for, or admiration of, the 45s.

A bunch of three 45s - all gifted by my late uncle - remained my writing instruments from grade 6 to higher secondary school in the 60s.

 

I have now around 100 P45s in different finishes and with different size nibs. Some of these are NOS/chalkmarked and the bulk of these are with 14k gold nibs.

 

I too have one each chalkmarked 51, 61 (beside a bunch of Sheaffer Targas). But to be honest I am not fixated (lol) on the CHALKMARKED thingies per se.

 

Best.