Parker 51 Comeback 2020?

[Estycollector]

If Parker does decide to reintroduce, I'd like it to be a first year replica, but I actually prefer a single jewel in sterling and gold clip.

 

So, my Parker evolution started with the Wing Sung 601, then a gifted "21", and this week a 1942 "51". I prefer the feel of the Parkers, and the beauty of the "51". I was fortunate in getting a fine to medium "51". That said, the old "21" with the ugly, if not renegotiated bent nib is now in my messenger bag as a daily.

[CS388]

I just can't see the mass market for any pen manufacturer to re-introduce a classic fountain pen into their range?

 

I know that there's a lot of enthusiasm here, on this site - but we're quite a small drop in the ocean, in a world that is increasingly going 'paperless'?

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of the 51 (original) and i"d be interested to see a new version - but, in the meantime there are plenty of used examples out there, at prices to suit all pockets.

[corgicoupe]

It might attract folks who would be hesitant to buy an old vintage pen, imagining them a probably problematical. This would not be those on FPN.

[Mercian]

Newellco Europe have replied to my enquiry.
(They actually did so on the 17th of Feb, but for some reason my email account put their reply to my email in to its ‘Spam’ folder, so I’ve only found it today ).

 

They have told me that the new pen will:
be made in France;
be available throughout Europe;
be a c/c filler, and:
have a screw cap.

 

Its intended launch date is September 2020.

[Batman]

Newellco Europe have replied to my enquiry.

(They actually did so on the 17th of Feb, but for some reason my email account put their reply to my email in to its ‘Spam’ folder, so I’ve only found it today ).

 

They have told me that the new pen will:

be made in France;

be available throughout Europe;

be a c/c filler, and:

have a screw cap.

 

Its intended launch date is September 2020.

 

That is wonderful news, it will be on the top of my list when it comes out.

[Olya]

Newellco Europe have replied to my enquiry.

(They actually did so on the 17th of Feb, but for some reason my email account put their reply to my email in to its ‘Spam’ folder, so I’ve only found it today ).

 

They have told me that the new pen will:

be made in France;

be available throughout Europe;

be a c/c filler, and:

have a screw cap.

 

Its intended launch date is September 2020.

 

Very interesting! After reading this I went back to look at the leaked pics and threads can clearly be seen!

[peroride]

 

have a screw cap.

 

Thank you for the confirmation and news @Mercian

 

I'm glad to see Newellco Europe/Parker saw there was still a market to tap as I love my P51 Aerometrics and WS 601 as many others.

 

So now there are

• Vintage
• China homage
• Ariel Kullock custom
• Mexican cap overlay
• and now French Screw

I don't mind the modern take like the c/c Jinhao 51A follow but why a screw cap?

I actually love the quick EDC deploy of the design and I don't recall a historic trial of this in any old model.

Any Parker fans / restorers want to take a guess - why change something that is not broken?

Cost savings, upscale marketing a la screw cap Duofold, better ink sealing?

 

Maybe the pressure fit cap will be on the Parker Deluxe 51 model

[Mercian]

I don't mind the modern take like the c/c Jinhao 51A follow but why a screw cap?

I actually love the quick EDC deploy of the design and I don't recall a historic trial of this in any old model.

Any Parker fans / restorers want to take a guess - why change something that is not broken?

Cost savings, upscale marketing a la screw cap Duofold, better ink sealing?

 

Maybe the pressure fit cap will be on the Parker Deluxe 51 model

I forgot to include their explanation of that

Newellco told me the pen will be “upgraded with a screw cap to improve sealing around the nib”. I guess they don’t want it drying-out like the Sonnet can.

With it having a hooded nib, I doubt that they’ll be trying to position it as a ‘luxury’ piece like the Duofold.

 

I also forgot to say that the email I received referred to the pen as Parker 51 New Generation - although that may of course only be an internal ‘project’ name within the company, and perhaps not the final name of the model.

Edited February 29, 2020 by Mercian

[pajaro]

I think there are more customized 51s out there than just Ariel Kullock's pens. Torrelli's, and others I forget.

 

Adding: Bexely, green and black swirl barrel. Hood too, I think.

Edited February 29, 2020 by pajaro

[Estycollector]

Since this thread started I've been able to use a 51, 21, and 21 Deluxe. As long as these used ones are available, I wouldn't think a modern one would be of interest. The Wing Sung 601 is holding it's own.

[peroride]

“upgraded with a screw cap to improve sealing around the nib”. I guess they don’t want it drying-out like the Sonnet can.

 

Thank you for the explanation

 

Though the friction cap doesn't dry out my old gen 51, I wonder if the New Generation screw implies a different possibly less efficient feed/collector set-up

 

Hope they beta test this one, je sign le NDA

[Mercian]

Actually, looking again at the photos in this post, I may be wrong about the price point not being a ‘luxury’ one - look at all that gold (whether PVD or ‘rolled gold’) on the two caps on the right of the 3rd picture.

 

Also, would somebody please translate the Chinese text under that picture for me?
Like many English men of my age, I am shamefully monoglottal

[Mercian]

 

Hope they beta test this one, je sign le NDA

Ooh! Me too!

And I’m nearer to St. Herblain than you are!

 

(Although they’d clearly need beta-testers in the US as well as some in Europe, Asia, etc.)

[peroride]

>Also, would somebody please translate the Chinese text under that picture for me?

 

I scan from Google Translate

• Luxury model
• 18K gold tip
• black and plum colors

Hopefully the 4 standard models in the left picture may be a bit more affordable to us in the bleachers

[AL01]

This makes some sense, less of a bringing back a Parker 51 but more of a cheap marketing opportunity, buy in another product and attach the Parker name and call it the Parker 51 Anniversary Edition.

 

Gillette have recently introduced a safety razor based on 1930s/40s design features, not made by Gillette and not a particularly good razor but it worked and sold out its limited Chinese production very quickly, some people buying one to use and one to keep, It had the look that collectors wanted.

 

I can see the Parker 51 Anniversary going the same way

 

 

 

 

 

It took Gillette a long time to cash out on the resurgence of safety razors...

 

I do own a Gillette travel safety razor from '63, and it works wonderfully with Gillette's "Silver Blue" blades.

[jchch1950]

Newellco Europe have replied to my enquiry.

(They actually did so on the 17th of Feb, but for some reason my email account put their reply to my email in to its ‘Spam’ folder, so I’ve only found it today ).

 

They have told me that the new pen will:

be made in France;

be available throughout Europe;

be a c/c filler, and:

have a screw cap.

 

Its intended launch date is September 2020.

 

 

 

The information is leaking drop by drop.September is 7 months away , maybe before that we can have the hole view of the new pens including prices for the different pens. I'm waiting for the views that will be posted here.

[Beechwood]

 

It took Gillette a long time to cash out on the resurgence of safety razors...

 

I do own a Gillette travel safety razor from '63, and it works wonderfully with Gillette's "Silver Blue" blades.

 

So do I Al, if I can call you that.

 

My Gillette is a little later at 1972, it works at least as well as my more modern razors. I understand that the 2019 Gillette Heritage model is not as good as the original although it is still sold out I think.

 

Parker may feel a little silly if they relaunch a 2020 Parker 51 that is not as good as the original, but I am sure that they will still sell them by the boatload.

[jmnav]

 

Thank you for the explanation

 

Though the friction cap doesn't dry out my old gen 51, I wonder if the New Generation screw implies a different possibly less efficient feed/collector set-up

 

Exactly my thoughts: never had a dry start on my old 51 so, what's to be improved? or, more to the point, what does Parker means by "improve"? (hint: not what a user would expect, most probably).

[AL01]

 

So do I Al, if I can call you that.

 

My Gillette is a little later at 1972, it works at least as well as my more modern razors. I understand that the 2019 Gillette Heritage model is not as good as the original although it is still sold out I think.

 

Parker may feel a little silly if they relaunch a 2020 Parker 51 that is not as good as the original, but I am sure that they will still sell them by the boatload.

 

Nice!

 

I don't think the people running the company should feel silly at all, since a re-release of the 51 would, (hopefully), invigorate some life into the brand.

 

Parker pens are not the most popular or competitive, but a new 51 would attract many buyers.

 

I just hope that the company realizes that the re release means that the market HAS an interest for pens that at least attempt to be somewhat innovative...

[wspohn]

I guess that I am a pessimist, but for me, all of the pen models that Parker produced after the 75 were anticlimactic as they failed to match the writing quality and production values of the older models. I tried, but the new Premier and Sonnets just left me unimpressed (the Duofold continuation model was an exception - very nice pens).

 

The risk of bringing out a 'new' 51 will be attaining at least the same standards as the old ones met.

 

Having said that, while I enjoy writing with 51s, I have to say that the range of colours/materials has never inspired me - almost drab, so something with a bit more range for the new 51 would be welcome. Guess we will see.