Parker 61 - Two questions

[Gloucesterman]

HELP, please... I recently picked up a Parker 61 (double jewel) Flighter on the Bay.

It arrived today in very good condition.

When I dipped the nib in water there was absolutely NO Ink residue.

A quick look at the open end of the capillary filler showed only (clean, unblemished) white color.

 

Question 1: Did I receive a P61 with a totally unused capillary filler?

(I don't want to immerse it in anything yet if it is brand new/unused as I may want to sell it.

 

Question 2:  How do I tell if the nib is gold without pulling it apart? It does appear "gold" colored.

 

Thanks for any help.

[vicpen123]

Test nib with a magnet. If it sticks, then steel with gold coloured coating.

 

Can't help with capillary filler. I jumped from "51" to 75.

[joss]

Pictures would be helpful!

 

If the capillary filler has the white felt you definitely do not want to fill this pen (it may not fill anyway). Maybe you have found this thread already:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/305459-chalkmarks/page/2/?tab=comments#comment-3583691 

 

The nib should be solid gold. In indication that it is solid gold is the blob of irridium that is welded on the nib tines. A gold plated steel nib does not have irridium, the rounded nib tip is an integral part of the nib.

[FarmBoy]

Parker did not make an Octanium 61 nib. 
 

Likely never filled. 

[Gloucesterman]

10 minutes ago, FarmBoy said:

Parker did not make an Octanium 61 nib. 
 

Likely never filled. 

Thank you FarmBoy. I tested it with a magnet and yes, it's gold!

Also, in the post previous to this one, the earlier posting has very interesting information. My question(s) now are what do I do with it?

Try to fill it (and perhaps ruin its unique defectiveness?

Convert it to an aerometric filler?

Sell it (is it more valuable be cause it is/may be a defective one that got out into the marketplace?

I am open to insights, comments and suggestions...

[Carguy]

I never knew that the white felt made these “defective” and I’m surprised I never heard that. I probably have 25 61’s in various colors and I’m almost certain one or two were NOS with white felt that I subsequently filled without any issue. Personally, I would ink the pen as I don’t think uninked would much increase its value. There are some among us who love the capillary filler (me - although it can be a pain) and those that hate it. Those that hate it do so with a passion and no status of inked vs uninked is gonna convince them otherwise.

 

I would ink it and let it rip. If the white felt impedes that, maybe it can be pried or pushed out.

[Checklist]

11 hours ago, Gloucesterman said:

Thank you FarmBoy. I tested it with a magnet and yes, it's gold!

Also, in the post previous to this one, the earlier posting has very interesting information. My question(s) now are what do I do with it?

Try to fill it (and perhaps ruin its unique defectiveness?

Convert it to an aerometric filler?

Sell it (is it more valuable be cause it is/may be a defective one that got out into the marketplace?

I am open to insights, comments and suggestions...

If you want to use your 61 (which I would whole-heartedly recommend), I would suggest selling this one and finding a used one online.  A NOS version should net you enough to get a used 61 that you don't have to worry about enjoying. 

[FarmBoy]

It is much easier to sell an uninked 61 than a similar inked one. There is a small premium for uninked pens at retail but you start discounting quickly for used. 
 

In my hands uninked means sellable with less work and for a lot of buyers it is the deciding factor. 
 

they all write essentially the same. 

[Gloucesterman]

21 minutes ago, Checklist said:

If you want to use your 61 (which I would whole-heartedly recommend), I would suggest selling this one and finding a used one online.  A NOS version should net you enough to get a used 61 that you don't have to worry about enjoying. 

Actually, I already have a 61 somewhere around "here". I just have to find it.

from your perspective should the NOS 61  I mentioned originally warrant any kind of premium? I have no idea what hey usually go for. I do know that I think I got mine at a pretty good price. I guess more research re: pricing my be in my future.

thank you for your assistance.

 

FarmBoy -- Just saw your added comment. Much appreciated. I think I will keep it NOS. We have a pen club meeting on the 24th of this month. Perhaps I will sell it there/then. If not, the Commonwealth Pen Show is coming up in September and I have a table, so that's an option as well...

[joss]

12 hours ago, Carguy said:

I never knew that the white felt made these “defective” and I’m surprised I never heard that. I probably have 25 61’s in various colors and I’m almost certain one or two were NOS with white felt that I subsequently filled without any issue. Personally, I would ink the pen as I don’t think uninked would much increase its value. There are some among us who love the capillary filler (me - although it can be a pain) and those that hate it. Those that hate it do so with a passion and no status of inked vs uninked is gonna convince them otherwise.

 

I had saved the FPN comment on 'white felt' capillary fillers in my "Parker 61" files but can anybody here confirm that that statement is true? If so, these pens must be uncommon I guess. And if so, did all the P61 "First Edition' pens then once had a white felt capillary filler?

[FarmBoy]

I can confirm that the discussions mentioned in the linked post occurred and the details about the white and red felts are correct per Don Millers explanation. 

[joss]

Thank you for the confirmation! An uninked example of this pen is a bit of a museum piece then.

[Gloucesterman]

10 minutes ago, joss said:

Thank you for the confirmation! An uninked example of this pen is a bit of a museum piece then.

The info is appreciated. Now for the good news/bad  news scenario. Actually, there is some good news...

I just finished some "Brussel sprouts"(le petit chou in French, I think high school French 1962) from lunch yesterday and they were delicious).

The less than good news is I have Covid for the second time in two weeks AND due the hotel's staffing problems our annual fountain pen show, in September, has been cancelled. Guess I will deal with that after my recovery. For now, rest and healing is my priority.

 

So Jos, if you choose to do so, tell me a little more about yourself...

Meanwhile, have a good evening and we may communicate more on the morrow.

My best,

Sid

[inkstainedruth]

Sending hugs and best wishes, Gloucesterman!  On both accounts (yeah, just saw the email that the Commonwealth show is cancelled for this year...).

I did not know that some capillary filler 61s had white felt.  I think all of mine have the teflon (but then, all of mine were used when I bought them).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[InkyColors]

29 minutes ago, Gloucesterman said:

The less than good news is I have Covid for the second time in two weeks

Wishing you a quick and complete recovery. 

[Carguy]

10 hours ago, FarmBoy said:

I can confirm that the discussions mentioned in the linked post occurred and the details about the white and red felts are correct per Don Millers explanation. 

I learn something new about this little hobby every day. I’m simply surprised at the number of “mistakes” Parker made and tried to ignore…

[es9]

So a 61 with white felt is new, but will not actually work? 

[FarmBoy]

16 minutes ago, es9 said:

So a 61 with white felt is new, but will not actually work? 

They work just not to the Parker standard. The white material didn’t wet well enough to transport ink into the mesh. 

[TheRedBeard]

First, wish you a speedy recovery, Gloucesterman  

 

On the subject: as rightly mentioned by FarmBoy and Joss, you have got a quite rare pen in likely NOS condition.

Moreover, nowadays for some reasons, P61 Flighters with capillary filler are rather difficult to find, especially in NOS condition.

So, your pen is undoubtedly a great collector's item, and it will command significantly higher price if you decide to sell it.

 

[LoveBigPensAndCannotLie]

How long did the first "60,000" white felt fillers last, in terms of how many years did they use them for? Reason I ask is that I have a "Mark II" with the thicker slightly concave trim ring that is NOS with white felt. I would think that since the MK II came out 4-5 years after the initial model they would have run through all of the remaining faulty fillers by then.

 

On 6/15/2023 at 4:21 PM, Gloucesterman said:

The less than good news is I have Covid for the second time in two weeks

 

Feel better!