A couple of days ago, I got an email from longtime VPC member Christopher saying "Again, a really nice Parker 51 has come my way and gone straight into my collection after restoration and servicing." The email was accompanied by a photo and a nice write-up about it, and Christopher said I was most welcome to share them on this website, so without further ado...
Christopher: "My first big pen stretch was for a vintage Parker 51 and, ever since, I have never admittedly looked back. Parker spent years developing and designing this line of their pens to get them just right, so I think it is safe to say that the original ticks all of the boxes. But after many years of vintage pen collecting, I have become a lot more discerning about the vintage Parker 51s I want to retain in my collection. Of course, being totally addicted to Parker Vacumatics of any kind, the 51 Vacumatic is right out there in front. Not to say that the 51 Aerometric is any less in its perks, but when a vintage Parker 51 Vacumatic comes my way like this one, I consider it both a joy and a privilege to add it to my collection."
(photo courtesy of Christopher ~ please click on image to enlarge)
Christopher: "So what do we have here? Well this is an early Parker 51 single jewel Vacumatic finished in the Parker Cedar blue. It was one of the original colours for the 51 and is smartly offset with a Heritage 1/10, 12K Gold filled Signet cap. Signet being nine grouped chased vertical lines with gap, and engraved on the gold cap band a chased chevron design (similar to the Parker Vacumatic Major, which was being produced at the same time). The cap also sports a solid 14K gold Parker Arrow Blue Diamond warranty clip. The cap screw (Jewel), which is held in place by the cap bushing that secures the clip onto the top of the cap, is aluminum while at the other end of the pen, the Parker Vacumatic filler is the clear plastic button style. As for the nib, it is a fine writing 14K sold gold tubular style, which is 90% covered by a hooded grip section matching the barrel finish .
As for dating, the Parker date code on the barrel reads 5. Or translated, the third quarter of 1945.This is also further qualified by a matching Parker date code on the side of the nib (if you remove the nib from the section, as I did to restore and service this fine pen, this code is clearly engraved). The overall condition is very fine and, better still, after an good R&R and polishing, inked up it works like a charm. Definitely a pen I will enjoy for many years to come."
Christopher, congratulations on another great vintage find, and thank you for sharing this handsome vintage fountain pen with all of us!
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