Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 421

Hope you're having a good September, so far! Don't forget--we'll be having an in-person meeting this coming Thursday - September 15--all details here!

In the meantime, here's an unusual vintage Parker fountain pen to start the week, courtesy of Christopher...

Christopher: "I seem to be on the receiving end of some very unusual vintage pens these days, but I think part of the reason is that I am casting my net in Canada. Years ago, I scored a most unusual Oversized Vacumatic. Not only was it made up of 1934 parts, but Parker date coded 1952. And yes, this was an opaque Vacumatic model. Quite frankly, when it comes to Canadian vintage pens, nothing these days surprises me. And better still, just when you think you have seen everything, an item like (the pen below) surfaces!"

 (all photos courtesy of Christopher ~ please click on images to enlarge)

"In Canada, at least with some lines of vintage fountain pens, the rules seem to be meant to be broken. Such was the case just recently, when a very unusual pen showed up at my end. Definitely a Parker Duofold, but seemingly with a few noteworthy exceptions.

What can be visually seeing almost immediately is the fact that this is a ‘Streamlined Duofold Junior model sporting the signature Jr. Double 14K Gold Filled cap rings, but that is where the familiarity ends because held tight by a larger jet black jewel is a Vacumatic ‘First Generation’ Parker wide feathers arrow clip, also in the 14K gold filled finish. I tried this jewel in a number of my Vacumatics, but it is evident that it was made in size for this cap. The appearance of this pen, as I see it, is similar to an Streamlined ‘Standard’ Vacumatic. But was this a pen made up at the beginning of the 1930s as a transition model between the Parker Duofold and their Vacumatic. Or is it more a Canadian Parker made up from off the shelf parts, that were in fact, available at the time?"

"This pen, of course, is a button filler in keeping with Parker Duofold and although there is no Parker Date Coding on the barrel (which is often the case with Canadian Parkers) there is a ‘C’ imprinting on the nib and my guess for this is just a Canadian designation. The pen also comes with a cut back Parker Lucky Curve feed.

In conclusion, the pen came in its original Parker presentation box with Duofold ephemera, held by a Parker marked silk ribbon in the inside lid. As for writing, this pen is truly outstanding, complete with a flexy nib. Plus the overall condition is superb. Thus another nice addition to my collection."

 Many thanks to Christopher for sharing this new acquisition with us!