Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 553

Here's another review from Christopher about a new acquisition!

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

Christopher writes:

"Rarities in the vintage pen department can be quite interesting, if not fascinating. Just how a 1940s Parker pen product with a notable mistake had got out into the wild really has to be something of a mystery. Case in point, a Canadian 51 Vacumatic just past the midpoint of the 1940s, with a double struck cap, has to be a very rare pen indeed. It seems that the reference to the gold marking on this pen's cap is repeated, thus double struck, around the banding, something I will have to admit that I have never seen. It reads:

        "51"                                                     "51"

   Gold Filled                                          Gold Filled

Made In Canada    - (and beside it)-   Made In Canada

Otherwise, the only other markings on the pen are featured on the barrel in very clear and strong relief. That is the company, model, again 'Made in Canada' and a 1946, 4^th quarter Parker Date Coding. The general makeup of the pen involves a plastic amber button Vacumatic filler, Cedar Blue coloured barrel and Blind cap and at the other end of the pen, an exquisite Custom 14K Gold filled with four grouped vertical lines with gap between finished cap.. This cap sports a Gold-filled Parker arrow clip with a Blue Diamond Parker lifetime warranty, which meant that this pen sold for $8.75 or more back in the day. The hooded 51 section covers a good portion of a extremely responsible writing 14K Gold Parker tubular 51, Medium general-purpose nib. Plus, the overall condition of this fine Parker pen is remarkably good for all its years of service. Although I have a good number of vintage Parker 51 pens in my collection. I am happy to add this one which will be used accordingly."

Many thanks to Christopher for sharing this very cool oddity with us; what a handsome vintage fountain pen!