Unknown pen: a Parker prototype? Parker “Bird”?

March 7, 2009

Some time ago I saw for sale in Ebay.Uk an unknown Parker set, FP and BP. I made some offer, but could not win. The pen was described as a Parker prototype and was named "Parker Bird". The seller, "pauls7977", on my request, kindly sent me the pictures used for the auction of the set.

It is a very unusual pen, in modern design with an innovative nib (unfortunately pictures are not sharp); the clip is pointed out by a black "window" in the metal body of the pen; the shape of the engraved arrow reminds the Parker 85 one's. The pens has some hallmarks, that seems to me the sterling silver French marks (the crabs), so I assume it was made in France (due also to the clip similar to the Parker 85, a Parker pen made only in France).

Has anyone more information? Thank you for the help.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/Parker%20bird/FP2.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/Parker%20bird/FP3.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/Parker%20bird/FP4.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/Parker%20bird/Nib.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/Parker%20bird/BP1.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/gicoteni/Parker%20bird/BP3.jpg

Edited March 7, 2009 by gicoteni

March 7, 2009

Hi gicoteni,

These are a Parker Bird made in the 80's in Meru, France and are prototype or very limited production. I have never had a set of these, but find them very interesting. Maybe someone else has more information on these Parker Birds. I would also like to know about them.

Take Care, Francis :hmm1: :hmm1:

March 7, 2009

The ballpoint certainly looks similar to the Parker Bird of which a limited edition of just 70 were made including one is silver. However, the Bird was subtly different.

If I remember correctly, "pauls7977" listed a fair number of interesting pens for sale - I believe his father worked for Parker. So, I think the description of it being a Parker prototype is correct. As the Bird was made in France, it is logical to assume these were too.

The fountain pen is particulary interesting. Presumably the design was not a success so it was not carried forward into production. The Parker 85 was also manufactured around this time and it looks as though these prototypes may have been designed by the same team.

Interesting pens. Thanks for bringing them to our attention.

March 9, 2009

Some time ago I saw for sale in Ebay.Uk an unknown Parker set, FP and BP. I made some offer, but could not win. The pen was described as a Parker prototype and was named "Parker Bird". The seller, "pauls7977", on my request, kindly sent me the pictures used for the auction of the set.

It is a very unusual pen, in modern design with an innovative nib (unfortunately pictures are not sharp); the clip is pointed out by a black "window" in the metal body of the pen; the shape of the engraved arrow reminds the Parker 85 one's. The pens has some hallmarks, that seems to me the sterling silver French marks (the crabs), so I assume it was made in France (due also to the clip similar to the Parker 85, a Parker pen made only in France).

Has anyone more information? Thank you for the help.

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Hi gicoteni.

Unfortunately I have very little further information regarding these pens.

However, I believe i am the current owner of them.

About two weeks before I purchased them from "pauls7977" I also won a dark blue laque over sterling fountain pen from the same seller.

They are remarkable pens, very thick walled hallmarked sterling silver (very heavy).

As you say the clips are reminiscent of the Parker 85 and the feed is very similar to the Parker 180 (the nib on the other hand is like nothing i have seen before).

I have posted a few pictures in this reply and more can be found Here! including a zip file of them all.

If there is any further info or pics i can provide please let me know and i will try to help.

Regards

Paul

January 19, 2011

This rare prototype dates from the end-1970s-early 1980s. Parker originally decided to create this top of the market 0.935 Sterling silver ballpoint pen model in response to the emerging market sector for luxury brand pens... alongside wristwatches and other branded luxury items... a market phenomenon that would go on to become iconic during the second half of that decade.

The project was entrusted to Parker France in order to achieve a "European Look", since the main competition was perceived to be brands such as Montblanc, Cartier, etc. that had begun to make enormous inroads within the USA as well as international markets at the time. As such, Pierre Laffly, the CEO of Parker France personally headed up the project.

But, Parker underwent a major "business reorganization" around about the same time, and the Parker Bird never was launched.

In 1989 the "1st International Pen Show and Auction" was held in Geneva, Switzerland. Parker sponsored the event (also continued to do so subsequently until Parker was acquired by Waterman-Gillette, after which Waterman and Montblanc successively became the sponsors).

The organizers asked Parker if the Company had any prototypes they could provide for the event. Parker agreed to make a limited "numbered" edition out of the 70 Parker Bird prototypes they still had in their vault and to include 69 of them in the auction.

For information, I currently have one of these Parker Birds on offer at http://www.goantiques.com/detail,vintage-parker-bird,2069548.html

Edited January 19, 2011 by macquid