Parker 51
1946
About This Model
The Parker 51 is generally agreed to be one of the genuinely iconic fountain pens, for its timeless design, revolutionary construction, efficiency, unparalleled durability, and for being a great writer. It is also among the most sold pens of all time, having been available from 1941 until the early 1970’s, manufactured in plants around the world, and sold millions. Within each major model there are myriad combinations of color, cap, and other details that have made collecting 51s a serious sport around the world. 51s are available in two lengths: the typical 51 is 5.4″ long, but there are also 5″ long demis. They are excellent writers, hold a great deal of ink, and are great shirt/jacket pocket pens. Parker 51s are readily available today, although some of their colors and cap patterns are rare.
About This Pen
This 51 is in nice user condition, a workhorse pen. It is from 1945, in black, with a sterling silver cap. The plunger is quite strong and fills fully and easily. The pen looks very nice, although there is a one inch long deep scratch (confirmed not a crack..) at the bottom of the barrel, under the cap. However, bad news aside, this pen writes wonderfully, a smooth fine line, a fast writer. The appearance is very pleasing and unmarked, and the sterling cap is quite attractive. Good first 51 or working pen!
Note: an earlier version of this description included a mildly off-fitting blind cap. The QC Dept wouldn’t let it go, so I dug through all the parts and found a better one. Price unchanged.
This pen is not for sale.