Value Of Different Parker 51 Models

[HakonJ]

Hi

 

First of all, let me say this is a great forum. I've been reading it for quite some time, but just now registered to make my first post.

 

A few days back, I was allowed to steal a Parker 51 from a thrift shop. All I had to do was pay the 6 bucks noted on the price tag My knowledge and experience with vintage pens is limited. As I was looking at the pen in the shop, I had a faint recollection of reading about the Parker 51, but didn't remember what I had read. For $6, it was worth checking out anyway, so I happily brought the pen back home to test, and do some research.

 

I am pretty certain I have picked up one of the later versions of the pen (Mk3?). The rear end of the barrel has the almost flat, conical shape. The clutch ring is slim, and the sac guard is all metal, with no plastic cap on top. The clip and jewel are two separate pieces, indicating it is from before 1973. The clip is long, and it has "51" inscribed twice on the cap. Wish I could include some images, but I don't have the pen with me. I have tested the pen for a few days, after simply soaking and cleaning, and it works flawlessly. Great ink flow, no leaks or anything. Very smooth fine/medium nib. The ink sac was actually quite clear, so I don't imagine the pen was used that much. It has a few scratch marks on the cap and body, but no dings or other damages. The body is plain black (unfortunately engraved with a name), and the cap looks like the one to the left, in the last picture on this site (link).

 

As you can imagine, I am very happy with finding this pen. Could anyone tell me how the Mk3 compares to other ones, both in terms of market value and build quality/performance? I haven't been able to find any information about this.

 

Cheers,

Håkon

[inkstainedruth]

I don't have an MK3 so I couldn't say. I do have a late (early 1960s Mk2 -- still has the aerometric filler, rather than a cartridge filler) and it writes well. Most of mine are earlier pens (the Aerometrics are from the mid 1950s, for the most part, except for the Plum Demi, which has a date code for 1949). Can you tell from the photos on the site you looked at (or at this one: www. parker collector.com at the article for 51s) whether you have an aerometric filler or one of the late cartridge fillers (which also would take modern Parker cartridges or converters)?

Still, I'd say that you did *very* well for that price.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[mitto]

I don't have an MK3 so I couldn't say. I do have a late (early 1960s Mk2 -- still has the aerometric filler, rather than a cartridge filler) and it writes well. Most of mine are earlier pens (the Aerometrics are from the mid 1950s, for the most part, except for the Plum Demi, which has a date code for 1949). Can you tell from the photos on the site you looked at (or at this one: www. parker collector.com at the article for 51s) whether you have an aerometric filler or one of the late cartridge fillers (which also would take modern Parker cartridges or converters)?

Still, I'd say that you did *very* well for that price.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

There was no cartridge filler later version of the P51 as was the case with the Parker 61. A cartridge/converter version 51, however, was introduced in 1961 and discontinued in 1963 as its success was limited. It had a collector that was not finned and looked kind of disposable. Further, since the C/C Parker 45 was introduced the previou year (1962) and it sold for just a third of the cost of a Parker 51, there seemed no justificatin for buying a C/C Parker 51 for a much higher price. It is to be noted that the production of the earo 51 continued during the three year run of the C/C 51 meaning the C/C 51 did not replace the aero version like the C/C 61 did (in England).

 

On the other hand the P51 MKIII was introduced in 1969 and, as said above, this MKIII was never ever produced as a C/C pen.

Edited November 29, 2017 by mitto

[HakonJ]

Hi

 

Thanks for your replies. This pen is not a C/C, as mitto points out. It is definitely fitted with an Aerometric filler. Any ideas on how this pen compares to other 51's, price-wise?

[hari317]

...Any ideas on how this pen compares to other 51's, price-wise?

Here is something on the 51 variants.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/330599-parker-51-differences-a-red-parker-to-identify/?p=3965454

 

In Bombay, I was able to find NOS mark 3s and mark 2s cheaper than the mark 1.

[mitto]

The MKIII in good condition generally goes almost for the price of a user grade MKI/II. However, the plastic on the MKIII is of a lesser quality. But for $6 you had a sumgay deal. Enjoy your pen.