Will I ink it -- will I not?

[Claes]

While waiting for two "express" parcels to arrive from abroad

(no, not today either) I am going through some old boxes that

have been untouched for a few decades. Best catch so far:

a Parker 51 demonstrator and it looks like the diaphragm still is supple.

 

Now I have to decide: do I ink it or do I not?

 

Have fun!
Claes in Lund, Sweden

 

[Estycollector]

28 minutes ago, Claes said:

While waiting for two "express" parcels to arrive from abroad

(no, not today either) I am going through some old boxes that

have been untouched for a few decades. Best catch so far:

a Parker 51 demonstrator and it looks like the diaphragm still is supple.

 

Now I have to decide: do I ink it or do I not?

 

Have fun!
Claes in Lund, Swedentime 

 

Is that a real Parker 51 "demonstrator"? Amazing condition. Congratulations. 

[Lithium466]

Amazing condition for that beautiful pen! Yes, ink it!

[Estycollector]

I'd wait for a while before inking. Think it over long and hard. Since its primary function was to demonstrate, it is doing quite well without being in use. Plus, who know the condition of the rubber parts. Circa 1939?? 

[Mark from Yorkshire]

Ink it and enjoy that is what it was manufactured and designed for

[gone]

44 minutes ago, Mark from Yorkshire said:

Ink it and enjoy that is what it was manufactured and designed for

I thought the demonstrators were made to show how the mechanism worked. Not to be used as a pen. 

[Claes]

>were made to show how the mechanism worked.

 

And to show how ink flows?

 

[Estycollector]

From Parker 51,

 

"Many Parker 51s survive in usable condition. Nonetheless, professional overhaul is a good idea, even for pens that seem at first glance to be in good working order. Often a "working" Vac-filler which still has its old diaphragm will begin to show irregular flow, or will even release a sudden flood of ink as the age-rotten rubber fails. For this reason we install fresh diaphragms in all Vac-fillers that we sell."

Parker 51 (vintagepens.com)

 

[Penguincollector]

Run water through it, that will tell you if it leaks. It’s a lovely demonstrator in excellent condition!

[MarcoA63]

use it with inks that are not acidic, like the Japanese, Noodler's that have a 'staining' reputation. Mainly use safe inks that a simple wash can get rid of 👍🏻

[amberleadavis]

If you are going to ink it, then you should make sure it is working shape.  As we have discussed, holding on to things for our children who don't really appreciate them, is just frustrating.  I'd say use it.

[Claes]

Second P51 demonstrator, this time a bit more modern.

The cap, although in perfect condition, evidently comes

from somewhere else...

 

 

 

[vicpen123]

As soon as I accumulated more pens than I needed for writing I adopted a position that my pens were worth having for their own sake.

 

I have accumulated all types of filling systems, all types of nibs, screw caps, slip on caps, vanishing points, multiple colours and patterns and shapes. I don't need to fill them and write with them to enjoy.

 

So, my high end modern Duofolds will never be filled. Neither will my P"51"s or UK Duofolds with perfectly clear sacs. Most of my other pens have been filled once and used once only.

 

I know this sounds heretical, but they are my pens and i will enjoy them as I please. I still have enough user pens to keep me satisfied and mildly productive. I don't write much any more.

 

So I say, don't ink. Enjoy them for their inherent beauty and find a lesser pen for writing.

[Beechwood]

The 51s in the pics almost look too good and perfect to be the real McCoy. 

 

The Parker made 51 demonstrators were produced as salespersons tools to show retailers how the vacumatic mechanism operated, they were usually not filled with ink, because they could then not be demonstrated at the next retailer.

 

Far fewer Aero demonstrators needed to be produced by Parker for obvious reasons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bo Bo Olson]

Con grads on the 51 demonstrator....

I have inked NOS pens.

Semi-flex Austrian, tear drop tipped, not stubbed.

And have some...three or so... NOS Pelikans that I haven't inked, in I have a some 35 of them.