Although we're primarily a fountain pen club, we also welcome collectors of other writing instruments, such as these classy Parker ballpoints that Trevor recently acquired...
(photo courtesy of Trevor ~ please click on image to enlarge)
Here's Trevor's write-up about them:
Parker Classic, The “Rich Man’s Jotter”
"Ever
look at something in a terribly taken photo and think, “Hey! I know
what that is!”? I did that twice in December. Both times I was expecting
a vintage/old/interesting Parker Jotter ballpoint pen. “Vintage Parker
pen. Nice condition” the ad stated. $20 seemed fair for what looked like
a highly polished gold Jotter. I began to salivate. “I would love a
vintage Jotter!" It would be a nice mate for my circa 1970s/1980s Paper
Mate Profile and Sheaffer Imperial I’d absconded from my parents desk
drawers on a recent visit.
Message sent, deal made. Going to get it on Wednesday after work.
But
what’s this… Shanin found a PAIR of Stainless Jotters with gold trim.
Hmm… I have one of those already, it’s the one that started my Jotter
obse… ahem… interest. But curiously, in the bad photos, they look to
have gold flat top buttons… Now I’m really interested. I find out the
seller says they are both the same. Ok. Sign me up for one of them.
Fast
forward to Wednesday. Work is over, finally! I grab my mask and jump in
the car. Shanin and I head to Metrotown to meet the owner of the gold
Jotter. I give it a quick look, note that it is a bit different, but pay
the man and we head on our way. On the way out of the mall, I stop at
little pen/stationary shop, 1912 Amax. I see a Caran D’Ache pen in
purple. Made from recycled Nespresso pods. Interesting. I snap a pic to
check it out later.
Back
in the car I have a look at my new treasure. It’s slimmer. Almost
dainty. Interesting. A look online and I find that it is a Parker
Classic, aka Parker International Classic, aka Parker Lady. Feels nice
in the hand. It fits a standard Parker refill, so out comes the ancient
ballpoint refill and in goes my favoured Monteverde Capless Ceramic Gel
in Black with Broad point. Comparing to my Jotters, it’s longer and
slimmer, but weight is similar. It’s a comfortable writing experience. A
really nice surprise, and a great addition to the growing Parker
collection.
The
next day, Shanin goes out of her way to grab the stainless steel one
she found. When I see her next and she hands it to me, I open the
original box and lo and behold, it’s the same as the gold one! Well,
other than the colour. While the gold one is made in France, the
stainless one is made in the USA. Turns out it’s called a Parker Classic
Flighter GT. Well! It has the same light weight, comfortable grip as
its golden counterpart. The ancient ballpoint refill was removed and a
Monteverde like the other takes its place, only in blue this time for
some variation.
I’m
certainly glad I took the chance on these despite their terrible
pictures in the ads. I’m super happy with them and glad to have found
them!"
I asked Trevor when these ballpoints were made and he replied "The gold one has date code IIN, which is
either 2nd quarter 1989 or 1999 but I’m not sure. 1989 is more likely as
production may have ended in 1998. Or maybe 2001… no one seems to know.
And the stainless one has code IT which looks like 3rd quarter 1995."
Many thanks to Trevor for sharing these cool finds with us!
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