Parker Duofold C. 1921-1935 Photo Thread

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Parker Duofold Senior Streamline in Lapis Lazuli Blue Permanite c. 1930-33. This 5 3/8 inch long button filling pen sold for $7.00 in 1931 and the matching pencil was $4.25. The barrel is stamped GEO. S. PARKER over JANESVILLE WIS. next to DUOFOLD over DUOFOLD next to FOUNTAIN PEN over U.S.A. PAT. 4-25-11. The firm 14 karat gold nib is stamped PARKER over DUOFOLD over MADE IN over U.S.A. Note the number on the nib. Note typical plating loss on the clip ball and cap bands.

http://penhero.com/Temp/ParkerDuofoldLapis_1280_01.jpg

Thanks!

[christof]

beautiful celluloid!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Parker Duofold Junior in Lapis Lazuli Permanite c. 1927. According the Shepherd and Zazove Parker Duofold book, the Lapis Lazuli color was created by adding small flecks of dark blue (earler pens and more rare) or white (later pens) when the blue rod stock was being made. This example has white flecks. This 4 9/16 inch long Junior button filling pen sold for $5.00 in 1927 and the matching pencil was $3.50. The very firm 14 karat gold nib is stamped PARKER over DUOFOLD over PEN and was offered in extra fine, fine, medium, broad, stub and oblique. This example shows a lot of the problems Duofolds can have, including plating loss on the gold filled trim and discoloration of the barrel.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/ParkerDuofoldJuniorLapis_1280_01.jpg

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Parker Duofold Junior in Lapis Lazuli Permanite c. 1928-29. According the Shepherd and Zazove Parker Duofold book, the Lapis Lazuli color was created by adding small flecks of dark blue (earler pens and more rare) or white (later pens) when the blue rod stock was being made. This example has white flecks. This 4 9/16 inch long Junior button filling pen sold for $5.00 in 1927 and the matching pencil was $3.50. The very firm 14 karat gold nib is stamped PARKER over DUOFOLD over PEN and was offered in extra fine, fine, medium, broad, stub and oblique.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/ParkerDuofoldJuniorLapis_1280_02.jpg

Thanks!

[DavidV]

My Senior Duofolds

 

 

Hi, those are some nice looking pens! I have a question about the third set from the right if its alright to ask. For the pen, the body and the cap seem like different colours - do certain models have a tendency to discolour in that way, or are they mis-matched, or were they even sold originally to have different colours? I ask because I saw a duofold in the wild with a similar pattern, and I thought the cap and barrel were mis-matched. I've since seen enough pictures with a similar apparent mis-match and was wondering if it maybe wasn't a mis-match after all. If its a known discoloration or original combo, is there a way to tell it apart from an actual mis-match?

 

Thanks!

[Glenn-SC]

 

For the pen, the body and the cap seem like different colours - do certain models have a tendency to discolour in that way, or are they mis-matched, or were they even sold originally to have different colours? I ask because I saw a duofold in the wild with a similar pattern, and I thought the cap and barrel were mis-matched. I've since seen enough pictures with a similar apparent mis-match and was wondering if it maybe wasn't a mis-match after all. If its a known discoloration or original combo, is there a way to tell it apart from an actual mis-match?

The Duofolds were never sold as "mismatched" color sets.

(I can't recall any vintage Parker Pens, or other Manufacturer for that matter, sold as two different plastic colors. I am pretty sure the experts will provide an example shortly.)

All the celluloid/plastic pens above show discoloration to some degree, the darker colors to a lesser degree.

I believe that it was a reaction with the sulfur in the ink sack that was the cause.

Leaking ink will stain/discolor the plastics/celluloids as well.

[Barry Gabay]

Hello David V and Glenn-SC,

 

Likely the "mismatch" observation is correct for US & Canadian production. However, David Shepherd and Dan Zazove address the question in their comprehensive book Parker Duofold. They write on page 260 that during WWII, "Although black plastic was easy to obtain, there was a shortage of coloured materials, and occasionally Duofolds and Victorys were made with black caps and coloured barrels." (Shepherd, Zazove 2006) The paragraph continues that despite the mismatch, these fountain pens very sold well because of customer demand during that time of war and severe shortages. I seem to recall Andy Lambrou making the same assertion, though I can't find the reference at the moment. Looked quickly in his 3 books just now, but didn't see it. Maybe, I'm just imagining things again.

 

Best wishes,

Barry

[Wahl]

 

Hi, those are some nice looking pens! I have a question about the third set from the right if its alright to ask. For the pen, the body and the cap seem like different colours - do certain models have a tendency to discolour in that way, or are they mis-matched, or were they even sold originally to have different colours? I ask because I saw a duofold in the wild with a similar pattern, and I thought the cap and barrel were mis-matched. I've since seen enough pictures with a similar apparent mis-match and was wondering if it maybe wasn't a mis-match after all. If its a known discoloration or original combo, is there a way to tell it apart from an actual mis-match?

 

Thanks!

 

This is just discoloration from use, same as you can see in the green and black/pearl.

[DavidV]

Neat, thanks for the replies. I ended up going back to check out the pens I'd seen. Now that I'd seen a few more examples, I could tell that they were also just normally discoloured. I ended up buying a Duofold Jr. in green

[peterg]

Hello David V and Glenn-SC,

 

Likely the "mismatch" observation is correct for US & Canadian production. However, David Shepherd and Dan Zazove address the question in their comprehensive book Parker Duofold. They write on page 260 that during WWII, "Although black plastic was easy to obtain, there was a shortage of coloured materials, and occasionally Duofolds and Victorys were made with black caps and coloured barrels." (Shepherd, Zazove 2006) The paragraph continues that despite the mismatch, these fountain pens very sold well because of customer demand during that time of war and severe shortages. I seem to recall Andy Lambrou making the same assertion, though I can't find the reference at the moment. Looked quickly in his 3 books just now, but didn't see it. Maybe, I'm just imagining things again.

 

Best wishes,

Barry

It was quoted by Malcolm Troakin his story of the Newhaven pen factory. Personally I have my doubts. The black caps are mostly found on barley stalk celluloids of both Conways and Parkers. Caps made of this material are notorious for splitting and, of course, black caps are plentiful. So I think most were retro fitted.

Edited January 29, 2019 by peterg

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Parker Duofold Moderne Pearl, Green and Black Juniorette c. 1932. This 4 7/16 inch long button filling pen was the smallest model and sold for $7.50 in 1932. The matching pencil was $3.50. The barrel is stamped GEO. S. PARKER next to PARKER over DUOFOLD next to MADE IN U.S.A. This example has an arrow type nib instead of the PARKER over DUOFOLD over PEN shown in the 1932 catalog. This was the last celluloid type offered on the USA made Duofolds. It is not shown in the 1934 catalog.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/ParkerDuofoldModerneGreenBlack_1280_01a.jpg

Thanks!

[GlenV]

I really like writing with the junior duofolds, especially the flat tops, as the cap posts solidly and does not feel like a small pen in this way at all. I have to admit this pen doesn't see as much use, but I do enjoy having it on my grandfather's desk at home. A black streamlined junior just reminds me of the 1930's when desk pens were a common site in most offices of the day.

[BamaPen]

I have a Lady Duofold that I acquired in a lot of pens. It is in quite good cosmetic condition and the nib, which has a little flex, is in good shape except for needing some old ink cleaned off. The button does not move, so I'm assuming that it needs a new sac, and probably a new pressure bar. The barrel seems to be slightly darker color than the cap, so probably discolored a bit.

 

The nib is imprinted Parker and Lucky Curve and USA. The barrel is imprinted Geo S Parker - Pen - Made in USA and Patented. There is a personalization, "Vera Atkinson" nicely done on the barrel.

 

This is a tiny pen, just under 4 1/2 inches long when capped, and very slender.

 

I'm not a Parker collector, so I'm interested in any more specific identification, value, etc., that you may have to offer.

 

Edited March 6, 2019 by BamaPen

[PenHero]

I have a Lady Duofold that I acquired in a lot of pens. It is in quite good cosmetic condition and the nib, which has a little flex, is in good shape except for needing some old ink cleaned off. The button does not move, so I'm assuming that it needs a new sac, and probably a new pressure bar. The barrel seems to be slightly darker color than the cap, so probably discolored a bit.

 

The nib is imprinted Parker and Lucky Curve and USA. The barrel is imprinted Geo S Parker - Pen - Made in USA and Patented. There is a personalization, "Vera Atkinson" nicely done on the barrel.

 

This is a tiny pen, just under 4 1/2 inches long when capped, and very slender.

 

I'm not a Parker collector, so I'm interested in any more specific identification, value, etc., that you may have to offer.

Your pen is a Parker Pastel or Moire. These were not Duofolds. They were made from 1927 to 1932. The streamline version, such as yours, started in 1929.

[BamaPen]

Your pen is a Parker Pastel or Moire. These were not Duofolds. They were made from 1927 to 1932. The streamline version, such as yours, started in 1929.

I didn't realize that there was another line that paralleled the Duofold. Thanks for the info.

[GlenV]

Wow Barry, Wahl, your collections are astounding, must have taken considerable effort, thanks for letting us see them. I think for most though any nice mandarin yellow is only a dream...who knows though? It is a shame that some discolor as they do, especially the modern black and pearl, here's mine, I thought would be interesting to comment on the affect the Duofold and it's popularity at the time in the 20's influenced other pen manufacturers of the time. This is a Keene by eclipse in RHR and a Diamond point, obviously they were made capitalizing on the popularity of the Duofold. Reminds one of the 51 influenced designs of a later time.

[spacecoastpenny]

Hi All,

 

Here are a few of mine.........

 

[GlenV]

Wow your lady is still perfect color good find!

[spacecoastpenny]

Wow your lady is still perfect color good find!

 

I don't think it was ever inked.

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Parker Duofold Streamline Special in Lacquer Red Permanite celluloid c. 1929-1932. This 4 15/16 inch long button filling fountain pen was a Danish import by Christian Olsen and bears his company logo, a C and O flanking an anchor inside a circle, underneath the Parker barrel imprint. The Special was a Junior diameter pen in two sizes, this slightly shorter than Senior size or a slightly longer than Junior size. It does not appear in all the catalogs. The barrel is stamped DUOFOLD SPECIAL over GEO. S. PARKER PEN - MADE IN U.S.A. over PATENTED. This example has a flexible nib stamped with a serial number over PARKER over DUOFOLD over MADE IN over U.S.A. The trim is gold filled.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/ParkerDuofoldStreamlineSpecialRed_1280_01.jpg

Thanks!