Jfk With A Parker 45?

[RagunCagun]

Hi all,

 

Sorry if this is common knowledge, but I recently came across a picture that shows JFK using what looks to be a Parker 45 cap activated ballpoint. I'm not an expert in Parker, pens however, so I can't be sure. I read somewhere that while it has long been thought that JFK preferred Jotters as his handy-everyday pen (usually to be given out as mementos), it's more likely that they were first 45s which then might have become Jotters.

 

Anybody have any more insight or information? I know the pen does not make the man (rather vice versa), but I've always found it super cool to know what pens politicians/highly visible public figures use in their everyday lives -- away from the ceremonial Townsends and Mont Blancs.

 

Here's the pic:

http://66.media.tumblr.com/0663faabfb721f46e7981cfcdff4cac5/tumblr_n8maavQ5hv1qa2j8co3_1280.jpg

[RagunCagun]

Edit: Also, I'm assuming ballpoint because of the caption that states he's jotting notes while on a boat. Time wise, I think this photo was supposedly taken in 1960 while he was president-elect.

[rwilsonedn]

But the writing angle looks much more fountain-pen like. I don't see BP users writing at that low an angle usually.

ron

[welch]

As best I remember, the P-45 ballpoint arrived after the P-45 fountain pen had become a big seller. It was an upscale version of the Jotter. Approximate timeline?

 

- Jotter: about 1955. Price = $1.98 by 1962 or so

 

- P-45: began selling late 1960. Price = $4.98

 

- P-45 ballpoint: began selling about 1963 or 1964. Price = $2.98

 

The P-45 ballpoint was essentially a cap-activated Jotter. Similar to the P-51 ballpoint except, of course, with P-45 clip and trim.

 

The picture is too blurred to guess at the pen. Writing angle? Good point. However, if I wanted to jot notes on my cabin cruiser, if I owned one, I would want to use a ballpoint. JFK is reinforcing the pad of paper with his left hand, which would make sense with a ballpoint: you have to press hard.

[Pravda]

I am always under the belief that these personalities just use what's being pushed onto them.. Some, of course, have an air for writing and perhaps even pens. But the majority I would assume don't have time and so they use what's available or what someone offers them as a gift?