Parker 51
1947
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 demis, a half-inch shorter in cap and barrel, were also produced. 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 is another very nice, almost exceptionally nice, MKI, in dark cordovan, vacumatic filling, from the first or second quarter of 1947. (It carries the “T7” imprint, which has recently been proven by David Nishimura to not mean that the pen was made in Toronto, but in a former “t”ractor factory that had been used for Quink ink production until 1946.) I don’t usually advocate for a pen case for Parker 51s, since they love constant use, but this one is almost too pretty to not treat with a bit of extra care. There is a small amount of cap clutch wear on the hood. The nib is a full, wet medium. An unusually lovely 51.
Price: $105 Sold