Parker 51 Aerometric - body engraved "PARKER 51 - F" ??

[Le Vieux]

I have been offered a Parker 51 aerometric type, with a GF cap and in very good condition. However, there is something unclear about this pen:

 

While the cap is engraved Parker 51 on the lip, I know this happened around 1964, so no misty situation here. 

 

However, the body is engraved PARKER "51"  F, where F is presumably the size of the nib. Now, I have never encountered a Parker 51 with such body imprint, in fact I have never seen any Parker 51 with body engravings (of course, apart from the names put there by their owners). 

 

When asked, the owner said this is a display pen, apparently from a pen shop in Germany that went under, some years ago. I have attached two pics here, for your perusal. (no, there is no ink window, that is the clutch ring shining).

 

Is anyone here more knowledgeable on the matter presented, please? Thank you in advance!

 

 

[Mr Gutsy]

Those appear to be chalk marks, which were written on the pen so that a pen dealer would know what nib size the pen was and avoid inadvertently giving the customer the wrong pen (a medium instead of a fine nib pen for example). That suggests what your offering may be new old stock and has never been inked which ties in with the background to the pen.

 

Quite an exciting offer and history!

[inkstainedruth]

Interesting.  I had not ever seen anything like this engraving either, but I'm no expert.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[BlueJ]

I second that it is a chalk mark. I have a Parker 45 that came with similar markings. These wear off very easily, so it is a good indication the pen was not used or even handled much, so essentially New Old Stock.

[Le Vieux]

Are these NOS commanding higher prices than say, "regular" pens of the same model? Just curious.

[TheRedBeard]

9 minutes ago, Le Vieux said:

Are these NOS commanding higher prices than say, "regular" pens of the same model? Just curious.

Yes, of course  

Congratulations! It is a beautiful P51 with chalk marks presumably in NOS/uninked mint condition. 

 

[Le Vieux]

Thank you all, truly this forum is a fount of knowledge. One could and should immerse in it and learn to no end. 

[shalitha33]

Congrats   .
Based on the sharp chalk marks it would be basically a NOS pen.  Most pens would have had chalk marks originally. They rubs off very easily so having it this strong is very rare.

[Nethermark]

8 hours ago, shalitha33 said:

Based on the sharp chalk marks it would be basically a NOS pen.

I think that may be a bit too quick to conclude. I have several Parker pens (51 and 45) with these chalk marks that definitely were inked and therefore not NOS. The chalk marks do wear off, but that may take some time if they are not deliberately rubbed off

[Le Vieux]

Figured as much :). Thank you !

[mitto]

+1

These are chalk marks that every new pen had when it came out of the factory. 

 

However would like to add that the very early English and Canadian production vacumatic / aerometric 51s had italisized "51" engraved on the caps besides the gold content. 

[mitto]

The first cap (on the cedar blue vac) is a Canadian production. The last two are early English production caps.