Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 453

From Stuart's vintage Parker 'Jotter' desk set to the Parker ballpoint that started it all --- here's a review of Christopher's first year Parker 'Jotter' ballpoint!

(photo courtesy of Christopher ~ please click on image to enlarge)

Christopher writes: "Vintage ball pens have been a background focus in my pen collection. Usually a backup to complete an original set. But, and saying all that, I admittedly do have a special place in my heart for the Parker Jotter. Subsequently, when this rouge beauty surfaced, I was the first one at the table to scoop it up.

"Just such an attractive mating of metal and synthetic but, in this case, being a first year Jotter. the barrel is made of corded nylon and not sporting the steel end, which was added in all the Parker Jotters to follow. The barrel cording was a brilliant way to steady the fingers on this part of the pen to provide for a very comfortable grip. The nylon is also soft enough not to tax the fingers when gripping the barrel for lengthy periods of time. The cap has the Parker lustraloy brushed steel finish and sports a Chromed ‘Trough Clip’, similar to the one found on some models of the Parker 21 fountain pen. The clicker mechanism, which was part of a nine year Parker research program to develop their ballpoint, works extremely well. And the clicker mechanism revolves the ball tip of the refill ¼ of an inch every time the clicker is used, which extends the life of the Jotter ballpoint refill ball. Sheer genius in my books! 

 The only point I can add to this description is the fact that this pen had never been used and housed the clear cream ended inkless Parker Jotter refill, which originally came with the pen, possibly to demonstrate the Parker Clicker mechanism before the new owner visited his or her local drugstore or department store pen counter to acquire a regular ink Parker Jotter refill.

In closing, I should mention that Parker first year Jotters have a very good value on the current pen market. They can be found in five attractive colours. Red as this one, along with Black, Charcoal, Orange and Green and are easily identified. If you are very lucky, you might just run into a prototype colour as I did years ago. My prototype is a mustard colour and very attractive." 

Great find! Our thanks to Christopher for his review :)