Duofold Centennial

[Dutchpen]

Parker launched the duofold in 1988.

They launched the duofold centennial as a 100 year anniversary pen.

in 1988 there was a centennial fountainpen and a slide-cap ballpoint.

 

first edition has a flat clip and flat rings, no logo at the top and the gold marks on the nib are on the side.

 

after a year parker dicided to create a stronger clip, so the flat clip is produced for only a year.

 

 

 

 

[QM2]

Parker launched the duofold in 1988.

They launched the duofold centennial as a 100 year anniversary pen.

in 1988 there was a centennial fountainpen and a slide-cap ballpoint.

 

According to our datecodes, both mine and at least one other FPN member's pens were made in 1987...

 

 

DustyBin: That is a nice line-up! What is the model name of the 5th pen from the left that looks chased?

Edited October 8, 2008 by QM2

[ANM]

I have a second generation new Duofold with no logo on the top. It was sold with the option of having your initials embossed there.

[Canoodler]

 

That would be great! -- I will try to post images of mine as well. It does sound like we have the same pen.

 

I am actually really happy with my pen. It has been my dream to find an older version, straight-sided modern Duofold, and this one was in NOS mint condition. But the lack of logo really surprised me.

 

 

EDIT: You beat me to it and posted the image. Would you happen to have any photos of the logo-less cap?

________________________________________

 

My logo-less Centennial has my initials on it (DW). It is dated IIIL, making it according to Binder's website, first quarter of 1994. To have a look, see my avatar, above.

Edited October 8, 2008 by Canoodler

[flodoc]

The earliest of the modern Duofold Centennials (and Internationals) had a flat cap top, engraved "feathers" on the clip, and flat, different width cap rings. I have a blue marble Centennial with a cap "decal" that is inscribed: "Centennial 1888-1988" around the outer part and a Parker arrow and oval logo in the center. It is marked on the cap above the bands with "Parker", "Made in UK" with a 1E date code (Q1 1988). I have two Internationals that are similarly marked except the cap top is plain save the single engraved circle. The second generation modern Duofolds similarly have the flat cap top and engraved circle. Some have what I call the "wagon wheel" Parker Duofold cap top decal (both International and Centennial). These have raised "feathers" on the clip and rounded cap rings of different widths. The different width cap rings are a distinguishing feature of the first and second generation modern Duofolds along with the straight cap sides. For the second generation the Parker name and Made in UK, along with the date code, moved to the simulated blind cap at the end of the barrel.

 

Does anyone know whether pens with the "Centennial" cap decal were made in limited quantities or for a certain period of time?

 

Preston

Edited October 8, 2008 by flodoc

[Dutchpen]

this is a photo from a 2 parker duofold's

de left blue marble centennial is one of the first editions.

flat clip an rings

no logo at the top.

18k 750 at the side of the nib. size of the nib is 82

dat code is 1E

made in UK.

 

i don't have a macro on my camera, but in the first picture you can see the inprint on the side of the nib.

 

the maroon red duofold does not have a inprint, because the cap is a replacement.

 

 

Lennard,

[Reppen]

Does anybody know what year the Parker Duofold Centennial was launched?

 

I bought a NOS early Duofold Centennial at the NJ/NYC pen show. The pen is a straight-sided (untapered) flat-top, black with gold trim. According to the seller, it dates from the late 1980's; one of the first modern Duofold releases. I got this pen at an excellent price and it is beautiful, as well as a great writer.

 

However, I am confused by one detail: Unlike other modern Duofolds I have seen, this pen has no inlaid logo (is "tassie" the correct term?) on top of the cap. Instead, the top of the cap is simply flat and black, with a circular outline where the logo should go (but no gap or indentation in the plastic to indicate that it was once there and fell off). So the question is, what era Duofold is this? Did the first re-released modern Duofolds simply not have the logo on top of the cap, and this was a detail added later? The seller from whom I bought the pen is reputable, so it cannot possibly be a fake. But this discrepancy leaves me puzzled.

 

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!

QM2

 

I, too, have this pen and wondered about the lack of the logo on the cap as i just bought a new one with the logo. I earlier posted a question on this, but did not see your earlier request. My old Duofold Centennial without the logo on the cap writes better than the new one with the logo. In fact, it is my best writing fountain pen. I also bought the fine nib and it does write very much like a medium nib, but even smoother. This is one of my everyday pens. Parker got it "write" with this one.

Edited April 18, 2009 by Reppen

[jfw]

This is my first post and I joined the forum to ask for help in identifying what kind of Duofold I have. After reading the previous posts I am confused...

 

I can't remember exactly when I purchased mine, late '80's - 90? it is black with flat top (nothing on top of cap), it has two gold bands of differing width (bottom one wider) on the cap and although not greatly used I can't read any numbers below the Parker made in UK writing but it might say 'IN'.

Does this mean it is an International? Its pen clip goes down quite close to the first narrower band of gold on the cap.

 

The reason for my focus on my pen is that I would like to buy it a new nib, I have never liked the 'broad' nib it has, it never wrote smoothly (quite hard work) so I thought I would try an extra broad nib (I do prefer a very broad nib) but as I have lost the ink filler thing I guess I will need to use it with cartridges or is there a reason not to do this? Should I also try and replace the ink filling pump?

 

There are nibs for sale on Ebay that seem to require you to know whether you have a 'first generation' or 'second generation' (and indeed whether the pen is a Centennial or International). I live in quite an isolated place with no access to a Parker pen store resulting in me needing to ask for your assistance!

 

one last question...

 

Does anyone have experience of using a nib of extra extra or ultra ultra broad size??

 

Lastly, I apologise, but do not have access to a camera to post a photograph of my pen.

 

Any help most gratefully received!

 

 

 

 

[janusz]

I've had a chance to photograph my pen, and here are the views of the cap-top and datecode:

 

<img src="http://queenmargot.com/duofold4.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

<img src="http://queenmargot.com/duofold5.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

<img src="http://queenmargot.com/duofold7.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

I've also posted a full review with other images here:

<a href="https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=77333" target="_blank">https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=77333</a>

 

Thanks once again for all the information!

QM2

 

I am not an expert on Duofolds or any pen for that matter but the section of your pen is definitely not original. It should have two gold rings, narrower and wider, right at the nib. Your pen's section must have been replaced.

 

The reason I know this so confidently is that just the other day I personally unsealed factory new Duoford bought by my family member on the first day of its release. It was kept by her for years until it was presented to me some time ago. I couldn't bring myself to opening it, the earliest possible edition unsealed, but some forum members convinced me to do it few days ago.

 

The pen writes beautifully and I should have unsealed it the day it was given to me.

[skybird]

 

 

 

DustyBin: That is a nice line-up! What is the model name of the 5th pen from the left that looks chased?

 

Greenwich?

[twdpens]

 

Does anyone know whether pens with the "Centennial" cap decal were made in limited quantities or for a certain period of time?

 

 

That decal is known as the "Collector's Edition" and pens with this are not that common. There was a special "Collector's Edition" pen made in 1988 (in black only according to Shepherd) but other pens exist with this decal as I have seen them.

 

HTH,

 

Martin

[twdpens]

 

 

 

DustyBin: That is a nice line-up! What is the model name of the 5th pen from the left that looks chased?

 

Greenwich?

 

Yes, that's a Greenwich SE. Currently my only Duofold.

 

Martin

[skybird]

 

 

Yes, that's a Greenwich SE. Currently my only Duofold.

 

Martin

 

Better get on with collecting then!

[andyk]

<!--quoteo(post=758641:date=Oct 5 2008, 06:21 AM:name=Leftytoo)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Leftytoo @ Oct 5 2008, 06:21 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=758641"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I have a green marble Duofold International. I e-mailed Parker, and they say it was mfg in 1988 or 1989. Mine has the bronze logo on the cap. But the cap does not have any other writing.

 

The black end of the pen body is engraved "Parker" and "Made in UK". There are no other date stamps or letters on the pen.

 

After adjusting the nib, it is a great writer, equal to my Sailor and Pelikan 600. In terms of design, materials and finish, it is superior to both. Love it.

 

Bob<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

 

 

I think it's unlikely that your Duofold was made that far back as it's the 'streamlined' version which I believe was introduced in the mid 90s. A beautiful pen... I also have this pen and one in a similar red pattern (called Jasper, I believe). My collection of Duofolds is pictured below, although it's a little out of date as the blue check Centennial and Lapis International set have moved to new homes.

 

They, approximately, age from left to right. The red and green marbled versions don't have the cap decal. The Blue is the Centenary version with its special cap. The gold, salmon and pearl have decals. The black Greenwich has a special edition version. The later green and red streamlined versions have the same decal as yours. The red ballpoint at the far right is the earliest type, dropped fairly quickly for the classic shape shown by the Pearl BP.... which is actually a Tiffany special edition.

 

<img src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o77/DustyBing/Duofolds.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

 

Hi,

 

Nice collection and I thought I was being greedy with 5 FPs, 4 BPs and an MP.

 

I will have to dig them all out and see what they actually look like, although at least 2 have the flat cap end because they are early issue, the others I know are later models.

 

Andy

[MJ Vesuvius]

<!--quoteo(post=747412:date=Sep 24 2008, 11:51 PM:name=skybird)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (skybird @ Sep 24 2008, 11:51 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=747412"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=747307:date=Sep 25 2008, 01:19 PM:name=QM2)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (QM2 @ Sep 25 2008, 01:19 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=747307"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->PS: $90 for a sticker?... That's um, very enterprising of them. And people criticise Montblanc!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

 

They want to check it in for "repair" as such. Won't give me the decals.

<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

 

Wow. I've also tried to contact Sanford for blank discs and they have told me that they did not have any. At least you got a positive response (at $90 a pop). Makes me want to try to make one myself. Has anyone tried making one?

 

Al

 

I have a few flat top pens that I've customized with semiprecious polished

cabochons, which you can get at a gem place or online. It's not for purists,

but does make a pen unique.

 

MJ

[mvh]

I've got a Parker duofold Centennial. It's been my most used pen ever since my father gave it too me 10 yeas ago. It's as old as I am.

[DustyBin]

Just added a Lucky 8 to the collection along with an Amber Check and Blue Check (I sold the one in my photo some time ago and always regretted it!)... all Centennials.

 

The Lucky 8 has seen a little use and the nib was swapped due to it being bent.... although the seller sent me the original nib and I don't really see much wrong with it. Any idea who/how much to have it restored to the nib unit and made good again? I has a different script than the 'standard' nibs and I'd like to have it original.

[skybird]

There are various nibmeisters - such as John Mottishaw around, but the nibs are all interchangeable and all Parker does is provide a new section and nib (at a large price).

Enjoy the Lucky 8 - mine is on the coffee table at the moment, the pinstripes have been swapped out. (My coffee table is like some folks users - I rotate new Duofolds there ;-)