About This Pen

This Parker 51 is an MKII, of the second generation of aerometric fillers. It is a 1953 pen, but the mystery is whether it was made in England or the US, because the barely visible imprint shows “England 3”, but the aerometric filler has “Made in USA”. The exchange of pens and parts between the English and American operations was well known; to complicate matters further, the nib is Canadian. Murky history aside, this is a very attractive 51, unless one is a collector of only “numbers-matching” pens. The navy grey body is in excellent condition, showing wear only under magnification and at the usual stress points at the base of the barrel and top of the hood. The gold “nine vertical lines” cap is without dents and is very shiny and clean. The aerometric filler is strong. The nib is gold and writes a super-smooth wet medium line. In summary, this is an unusually attractive later Parker 51 and a great writer. None of the foregoing diminishes this very attractive 51, unless one is a collector of only “numbers-matching” pens. The navy grey body is in excellent condition, showing wear only under magnification and at the usual stress points at the base of the barrel and top of the hood. The gold “nine vertical lines” cap is without dents and is very shiny and clean. The aerometric filler is strong. The nib is gold and writes a super-smooth wet medium line. In summary, this is an unusually attractive later Parker 51 and a great writer.