1957 Parker Duofold Maxima

[eugenebeauxbuton]

As is my habit, I pulled the trigger on this pen and then began the deep research into its provenance and Duofold Maximas on the whole.

 

A couple of questions:

 

1. The Maxima is said to have been released in 1958 to replace the Senior, correct? I have a nib imprinted with 1957. What gives??

 

2. I was reading that the barrel is imprinted with something along the lines of "Parker Duofold Maxima/Made in England" and yet mine does not have that (the only thing is a rather cool reference to the 26th Colchester Sea Scouts which seem to be the UK's seafaring boy scouts -- fine with being wrong here).

 

Thoughts on the above or why this might be the case? Is my 1957 in fact a Frankenstein's monster of a pen? See attached for pics. Thanks for the help and consideration!

 

 

[Beechwood]

Firstly, that is an exceptional pen, looks perfect.

 

The maxima was introduced in 1958 at 50 shillings, twice as a much as a Slimfold. 50 shillings is £2 50p, average weekly wage at the time was £12.

 

From memory, the Maxima didnt replace the Senior, I bought a senior in 1964 for example. The Maxima was quite a bit longer than the senior, also the nib was both bigger and better.

 

It wouldnt be unreasonable for the nib to be made in 1957 ready for a 58 launch (probably a Christmas 57 launch in reality).

 

You are not far wrong in your summation of a Sea Scout, whereas the regular Scout would go to the woods the Sea Scout would sail away in a pea green boat.

[mitto]

When I picked up my red aero Maxima Duofold I asked the seller what does the imprint on the barrel says. He replied there was no imprint on the barrel. Yet I bought the pen seeing the #50 nib and the size of the pen in the pictures. When the pen arrived I was able to see the worn out imprint using a powerful loupe.

 

Might be the imprint is there on your pen too but is worn out.

[eugenebeauxbuton]

Yes I feel rather happy to have found such a lovely example.

 

 

Ah thanks much @Beechwood, thought that might be a possibility with manufacturing dates...

 

Will need to scope it out then @mitto.

[Beechwood]

Yes I feel rather happy to have found such a lovely example.

 

 

Ah thanks much @Beechwood, thought that might be a possibility with manufacturing dates...

 

Will need to scope it out then @mitto.

 

 

It is not imperative that Parker stamped the name and model on the pen, I have another Duofold that was made by Parker for a department store and stamped only with their name.