Made in France Parker "La Plume"

[ray.pierrewit]

Here's a beautiful pen that has me torn. As I said in my "Introductions" thread, I use my pens for drawing comics and writing/journaling, I'm no collector. I came across this NIB mystery Parker and purchased it for, I consider, a reasonable amount of money. Stayed within budget. I scoured the web looking for information and discovered that it is a Made in France "La Plume" Vacumatic with 18k nib. It has the original price tag around the barrel (4.900 frs) and is in mint condition, no evidence of ever having been filled with ink or used.

 

 

It measures: 5 1/2" with the cap on, just over 6 1/2" posted.

 

I mentioned that I am torn about this pen, because I'm dying to try it out, but am aware that there might be a Parker collector out there who'd value it as a collectible item.

 

Questions:

 

- Would a quick dip test diminish the value? Would it give a reasonable idea of how the pen writes/draws?

- If the information I've found on http://parkerpens.net/laplume.html is correct, this pen would date back to approximately 1947-48. If I choose to use it, should I preemptively replace the diaphragm?

- Having found no online sales on ebay that correspond to this particular model, would anyone have an idea as to it's value?

 

It really is a stunning pen with the highest level of craftsmanship I've seen.

 

Many thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

[mr T.]

37 minutes ago, ray.pierrewit said:

Having found no online sales on ebay that correspond to this particular model, would anyone have an idea as to it's value?

There is a thread about this pen here on FPN that could be useful. Also some information about the Parker "La Plume" can be found here and here

[ray.pierrewit]

5 minutes ago, mr T. said:

There is a thread about this pen here on FPN that could be useful. Also some information about the Parker "La Plume" can be found here and here

 

Yeah, I had seen all of those links before, but none of them really correspond to the pen at hand. They are either much smaller, or aerometric fillers, or double laminés. The only image I've seen which is identical to my pen is in the link I provided from parkerpens.com

 

Thanks though

[joss]

That is a nice find, both the pen and the box. Dipping the nib in ink will not affect the value. You could test the condition of the Vacumatic filler with water instead of ink but if you want to use the pen you likely have to replace the diaphragm.

 

I am not sure if this pen was really called "La Plume". The ad below shows your pen and it is called "Vacumatic Maxima" (4900 frs). I do not have a date for this ad but it must be late 1940s because it mentions the Parker VS which is 1946-49 and it shows the diamond shaped Quink ink bottle which was discontinued around 1949.

 

[ray.pierrewit]

THERE we go!! Thank you so much for that! It finally solves it for me. I was also able to find this thread which I found very enlightening:

 

I can't thank you enough for the sleuthing!