Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 537

Hope you had a nice Christmas (for those of you that celebrate)! Our December meeting report will be posted here by the end of this next week (apologies for the delay-- I'm battling a nasty virus). While you're waiting for that, here's a double shot of some very nice vintage Parker writing instruments, courtesy of Christopher!

He writes: "I think if there is one line of vintage pens and mechanical pencils which, for the most part remains unsung, it has to be the Parker Parkette. Assessed originally as Parker's bottom tier contender when introduced during the early 1930s, it is evident today that most vintage pen collectors are just as happy to pass them by. To my mind, this is a mistake because in a lot of cases, Parker Parkettes are beautifully finished and not without a quality that can stand up to a lot of other pen manufacture's products. In fact, in some cases, evidentially Parker used their Duofold line plastic on their Parkettes. And I think we as vintage pen enthusiasts all know just how good the quality was of the Parker Duofold plastic. Being so aware of the pen market, I think that Parker definitely saw the value of applying a lever filler, over a button filler, to the Parkette line of fountain pens. As for nibs, oh yes, a good number of the Parkette models sported steel points but, again, the ones I have run across have been very well made and ground. But I think the real lesson here involves basic corporate survival, in a very challenging and difficult financial time, when every penny counted. And one has to consider that although this depression period started in 1929, it still was evident as late as 1940. So, the idea of a reasonably priced writing instrument just made good sense.

The Parker Parkette was the company's second kick at the low price pen market can. It followed the 'Parco', which, basically, introduced for the first time the Parker 'Lever Filler'. But I think what is also most impressive about this Parker line of writing instruments was the extent of different products and the many years of production, which lasted into the very early 1950s. Of course, there were many different models over the years, and with them many different sets including desk sets, which will be, in part, my focus. But I cannot round this intro out without mentioning the many different beautiful exterior finishes, which must have been a great marketing tool for this Parker line of products.

(photos by Christopher ~ please click on images to enlarge)

What I am going to feature now are several different Parker Parkette sets. But at the same time, because they relate in a number of different ways, I have personally decided to feature them together in the same Parker original display box. So, starting with a De Luxe slender set I have to say right from the get-go, I was truly taken with the fountain pan and matching mechanical pencil regarding this Parkette set. Finished in jet black plastic, of impressive quality might I add, the fittings are 14K Gold filled and although the banding on the pencil is presented in a stacked coin design, the fountain sports a quite wide and very attractive cap band. As mentioned, the pen is a lever filler which, thanks to Parker, works very well. The grip section on the pen houses a well-made and responsibly well ground, steel Parkette nib. Both pencil and pen still have the factory text enhanced in white on the barrel. In fact, when I got this fine set, it was unused and my guess, new old store stock. To round this set off, the clips definitely have the essence of the Parker arrow design.

 

The second set is a Parker Parkette desk set, in very fine condition, complete in its original Parker display box. The pen is a standard Parkette, finished in grey and black with red vein accents. The grey has a pearl quality to it in part and the mix of the colours gives off a slight green shade, superbly attractive in any vintage pen collector's opinion. The screw on desk set fountain pen taper, is jet black as is the grip section, which sports again a well-made and responsibly ground steel Parkette marked nib. Yet again a Parker Lever filler and when not being used the pen point and grip section slides comfortably into the desk set trumpet. This receiver is finished in jet black and can be swiveled on its metal mount which, in turn, is inserted into a beautiful white marble with a mixture of tan lines and soft grey tones desk set base.

 On the bottom of this desk set base is a complete Parker Parkette product listing paper sticker, mounted on green under cloth felt. The desk set display box has a jet-black lid, with attractive white swirl line patterns. This box bottom is further enhanced with the company branding on both front and back flanges. These Parker brandings are revealed by the box lid being cut out on its front and back flanges to show this branding. The inside of the box is well appointed, with an insert to hold and secure all of the desk set pieces.

Now just as a personal touch, I was able to fit the Parker Parkette De luxe set into an area on the box insert, which looked like it was made for it. And for a finishing touch, all the writing instruments are suitably Parker Date coded 1939. This includes the fountain pen nibs. Although this finished boxed Parker treasure is not like it left the factory in the late 1930s, I find it totally satisfying and will enjoy adding it to my collection.
Our thanks to Christopher for these great write ups!