What Parkers Have Joined Your Collection Lately?

[Number99]

On 6/16/2022 at 11:41 AM, KandyPenz said:

Got this pen form a local online auction. It was supposed to be a used pen but may not be the case. Either that or its so very carefully used.
No idea how old it is. I'm guessing its late 80s or early 90s based on the box and the pink instruction sheet? 

Pen is marked "45 Custom B" nib is marked B on the back of the feed collar. 

Ink is still liquid and is labelled parker super qunik. Box is missing the clip that hold the pen in place.

Products after 1980 or 79 have a date code on the cap.

 If there is no date code, it will be between 1965 (~ 64) and 1979 (because it is a custom model made in England). The rough age can be identified by the shape of the cap top tassie.

 

 Conical Tassie; around 1965 (~ 64) ~ 1970.

 Dimple type tassie; circa 1970 ~ 1979.

 

 Please refer to the link below for identifying the date code etc.

 

https://parkerpens.net/codekey.html

 

https://parkerpens.net/parker45.html

 

 

 

[KandyPenz]

Thank you for the info and links.

Cap doesn't have a date code and is marked rolled gold. Cap top is the Dimple type so it should be from the 70s.

I'm guessing its from the later half based on it retaining basically all of its original ink in liquid form.
 

[donnweinberg]

I could be wrong, but considering the chalk mark, the original-style cap tassie, the type of converter, and the gold-plated cap and trim, along with the gold (plated or 14K?) nib, this particular specimen may actually have been manufactured in the 1960s.  Have you attempted to screw off the nib/section, remove the collar and nib, and examine the nib?  

[Number99]

As an alternative to the flighter model example, see the link below for the shape classification of the cap top tassie.

 You can also browse articles about dates by moving the page.

 

https://parker45pens.com/parker-45-flighter/

 

[joss]

12 hours ago, KandyPenz said:

Cap doesn't have a date code and is marked rolled gold. Cap top is the Dimple type so it should be from the 70s.

I'm guessing its from the later half based on it retaining basically all of its original ink in liquid form.

 

There may be a date code on the user manual, check for tiny characters in the lower corners of the pamphlet. The manual still mentions the Parker 51, which was phased out mid 1970s and mentions the Parker "New Slimfold" cartridge pen, which was introduced in 1971. So the manual is from the early to mid 1970s.

[TheRedBeard]

On 6/15/2022 at 7:48 AM, PithyProlix said:

On it's way to me now - don't have it in my hands yet: my first (and, assuming it's a good writer, maybe last unless I can find a great deal on one in Chinese lacquer) Parker 75. Insignia with flat tassies, 14k gold-filled, 63 (xf) nib, long textured section finger grips, looks to be in very good condition except for some wear on a few points on the clip. I've been patiently waiting for a good deal on a nice 75 with an xf nib.

 

Note that this one has a smooth rectangular area on the barrel for personalization/engraving. Is that common?

 

 

I'm afraid my attention has largely turned away from Parkers, mostly towards Japanese pens. That said, I'd be hard pressed to turn down great deals on 1st generation 61s, resin 45s in colors I don't already have, a 65, and Chinese lacquer 75s or Premiers. I'm also curious about the modern Duofold.

It should be a nice pen. 

I have got Insignia II USA but later version, and mine is a great pen. 

 

[KandyPenz]

Thanks again for all the assistance. 

 

 

21 hours ago, donnweinberg said:

I could be wrong, but considering the chalk mark, the original-style cap tassie, the type of converter, and the gold-plated cap and trim, along with the gold (plated or 14K?) nib, this particular specimen may actually have been manufactured in the 1960s.  Have you attempted to screw off the nib/section, remove the collar and nib, and examine the nib?  

 

I have checked the nib and it is marked 14k. Nib and pen's chalk marks match .



Entire pen was covered with some form of wax. both inside and out. I rubbed out most of it out (due to the smell) and the cause for not so clean chalk marks unfortunately is me . I started to regret this action as soon as it was done. There was this wax present in all threaded parts and on the converter. Was this done by parker ? or one of this pen's previous owners ?

Converter still looks fully functional and the pen has never seen ink as far as I can tell. I had another ball point pen which I was sold as a NOS (Brio Magnum) that had wax like this all over the pen. 
 

11 hours ago, joss said:

 

There may be a date code on the user manual, check for tiny characters in the lower corners of the pamphlet. The manual still mentions the Parker 51, which was phased out mid 1970s and mentions the Parker "New Slimfold" cartridge pen, which was introduced in 1971. So the manual is from the early to mid 1970s.

Unfortunately there are no date codes / dates in the papers. there is a line to fill in the purchased date but that is empty. I have attached pics of both sides of the sheet.




 

20 hours ago, Number99 said:

As an alternative to the flighter model example, see the link below for the shape classification of the cap top tassie.

Cap top is the later dimpled type.  Thanks again for the link. I checked the link for advice on finding the dates on the same site. Example 2 flighter on the site matches the paper work as well as the converter style of this pen. 

[Paul-in-SF]

On 6/14/2022 at 11:48 PM, PithyProlix said:

I'm also curious about the modern Duofold.

 

I have a fair few of these, and I have done a fair amount of research into the various versions, sizes, colors and SE's that are out there. If you have specific questions, feel free to ask. 

[PithyProlix]

4 hours ago, TheRedBeard said:

It should be a nice pen. 

I have got Insignia II USA but later version, and mine is a great pen. 

 

 

It is wonderful. I also received a bottle of Parker Penman Mocha yesterday, inked the 75 with that, put the pen to paper, and it felt like the planets spontaneously aligned. 

[PithyProlix]

2 hours ago, Paul-in-SF said:

 

I have a fair few of these, and I have done a fair amount of research into the various versions, sizes, colors and SE's that are out there. If you have specific questions, feel free to ask. 

 

Thanks. I limit my purchases to pens that come up for sale here locally in Thailand and, unfortunately, I don't see them come up very often. A few days ago I just missed a blue marbled International in great condition with box & paperwork and my preferred nib width for the equivalent of about $90-100 USD. I wasn't previously interested in them but that one got me to start reading about them and now my interest is piqued. 

[Number99]

7 hours ago, KandyPenz said:

Thanks again for all the assistance. 

 

 

 

I have checked the nib and it is marked 14k. Nib and pen's chalk marks match .



Entire pen was covered with some form of wax. both inside and out. I rubbed out most of it out (due to the smell) and the cause for not so clean chalk marks unfortunately is me . I started to regret this action as soon as it was done. There was this wax present in all threaded parts and on the converter. Was this done by parker ? or one of this pen's previous owners ?

Converter still looks fully functional and the pen has never seen ink as far as I can tell. I had another ball point pen which I was sold as a NOS (Brio Magnum) that had wax like this all over the pen. 
 

Unfortunately there are no date codes / dates in the papers. there is a line to fill in the purchased date but that is empty. I have attached pics of both sides of the sheet.




 

Cap top is the later dimpled type.  Thanks again for the link. I checked the link for advice on finding the dates on the same site. Example 2 flighter on the site matches the paper work as well as the converter style of this pen. 

I have three experiences with Parker 45 with wax left.

 The two are NOS olive green and matador red.

 The other was a slightly used Parker 45 Arrow with chalk marks left over.

 I speculated that it was painted at Parker's factory to enhance the appearance of the product and to store it.

 The wax of mine was severely deteriorated and the appearance was significantly spoiled, so I removed it by immersing it in a solution of dish detergent and baking soda.

 I agree that you have removed the wax.

 Your pen is starting to work for at least appreciation uses from the warehouse or the unmanaged state of the previous owner.

 

 I'd like to know why the wax was applied, but I don't know.

 I presume that Parker painted it to improve the appearance of the product.

 If so, it makes sense to clean it because it looks bad on the contrary.

 

 

 

Edited June 19, 2022 by Number99

[br549]

My most recent Parker 51 on the far right, a burgundy 1955 Special 

[mallymal1]

6 hours ago, br549 said:

My most recent Parker 51 on the far right, a burgundy 1955 Special 

 

Nice addition.

[TheRedBeard]

Recently I have added P65 Flighter GT in excellent condition  to my collection (sorry, no photos at hand, but will try to post one shortly).

[Carguy]

I picked up a Signet 65 with a very fine nib that I don’t care for and a black 61 with a B Stub nib that I DO like!

[mitto]

About 70 - 80 P51s in the last 3-4 weaks. Still in queue for restoration.

[TheRedBeard]

12 hours ago, mitto said:

About 70 - 80 P51s in the last 3-4 weaks. Still in queue for restoration.

You are unbeatable  

[Carguy]

I received a 51 Special that I bought believing it was a black set, but when it showed up, it was a pristine Forest Green 51 Special.

 

I had every intention of flushing and inking it to see how it wrote, but could not get it to draw ink - even though the sac seemed clear. Figuring I needed to replace the breather tube, I took it apart and there was an incredible amount of dried and CRYSTALLIZED ink, which I had not expected. The ink had dried into plastic like chunks and was all over the feed, breather tube, and collector. After 4 trips through the ultrasonic cleaner, I still had work to do. Ended up replacing all the guts except the sac and guard parts. Swapped for a gold nib and I now have a pristine 51 Special with a M gold nib.

[inkstainedruth]

On Saturday I picked up what I think is a Rage Red Parker 45 in what I presume is the original box.  Found it at an area estate sale company's warehouse sale Saturday morning for five bucks.  At first I would have called the color "burnt orange" but I looked at the 45 colors photo on parkerpens.net and am now thinking the color is Rage Red (brighter than Burgundy/Maroon -- which I already had -- but not as eye-searing as Matador Red).

Then a couple of days ago I was the only bidder on a Parker Vector on eBay that is still in the original packaging.  It's "Sylvester the Cat", from the Looney Toons collection -- a design which I had not seen before from that set -- and the unusual part is that the text on the packaging is all in German.  A bit bummed that the seller backed out of the "local delivery available" part of the listing (I could have driven to the town the seller is in under half an hour, depending on time of day) because it would have been more paperwork for the guy to refund the shipping charges.  But it was sent out yesterday (with an original ETA of tomorrow or Thursday) and by about a quarter after 9 last night it had reached the regional USPS sort facility; it made it to the Pittsburgh main post office last night, and is now out for delivery.

Now if I could somehow find an AFFORDABLE Looney Toons "Tasmanian Devil" pen, like the one I bought a friend a few years ago after she and her housemate lost pretty much everything in a fire (including nearly all of their cats...).  And I keep wondering if Parker ever did a "Fiona" pen for their Shrek tie-in series of Vectors (I have the "Puss in Boots" one, because when I saw it the pen just made me laugh, just like the first time the character shows up in IIRC the second movie).  If they ever did, I'd buy a "Fiona" pen in a heartbeat....  

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

[mitto]

This stickerd uninked P51 Vac set. It is datecoded 3rd quayer, 1946. It arrived yesterday evening. 

 

What do the 63 / and 31 / on the stickers on  FP and MP respectively signify?