Parker 51
From Penpedia
The Parker "51" is a Hooded Nib pen that was released by the Parker pen company in 1941. Primary production ceased in 1972. Parker "51" pens were among the first to create bodies molded from Lucite, an impact resistant substitute for glass created in 1928 and marketed in 1933. This newer material was also resistant to the corrosive effects of the quick drying ink. Caps can be found in an array of metals and finishes, done in stainless steel, silvers, gold-filled, and gold. "51"s incorporated two different filling mechanisms: aerometric and vacumatic.
Contents |
History
During the late 1930s, Parker had released a newer, quick drying ink that had corrosive properties for most normal fountain pens, and it tended to dry out too fast for normal use in traditional, open nibs. This was the inspiration for the unique hooded design of the pen, to assist in preventing the ink from drying out so fast. The first designs for this pen were completed in 1939, which was the 51st year of operation for Parker, hence the name of the pen.
Initial user testing of Parker "51"s took place primarily in South America in 1940. The locations included Maracaibo, Venezuela; Barranquilla, Columbia; Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; and Curacao, Netherland Antilles. This was to put the pen through more extreme heat and humidity conditions than those normally found in the United States and Europe. These pens were fitted with steel nibs instead of gold, a Lustraloy "wedding band" style cap that lacked the blue diamond guarantee, and some can be found with a gold trim ring on the barrel.
Between August and November in 1940, product tests began in the US in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Chicago and Champaign, Illinois with almost entirely successful reviews. The second test expansion took place with the additions of San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Denver and the state of Wisconsin. At the conclusion of the tests, the Parker "51" was officially launched in January, 1941. Prices ranged from $12.50/$17.50 for the basic pen/set up to $50.00/$80.00 for the 14kt gold heirloom set.
Models
Mark I (1941-mid 1960s)
The most easy way to spot an Mark I 51 is to look for a date code. Date codes were put on the pens until the first part of the 1950s, so if there's one there, it has to be from that time or earlier. Also, pens from 1941 may or may not have a datecode, and if it does, the placement is known to vary between the barrel end and clutch ring. On aerometric fillers, you will find that they have a plastic end cap.
First Year (Late 1940-1941)
Mark I pens that are dated to 1941 are often referred to as "First Year" pens, because, obviously, they came from the first full year of production. To identify a First Year pen, you may look on the blind cap for a single line imprint that runs around the end below the tassie. However, according to VintagePens.com, "a handful have been found, however, with imprints complete with 1941 date codes on the barrel right next to the clutch ring -- the standard location for 51 imprints from 1942 on."[1] First Year models are also double jewel pens, unlike all the later models which lacked a jewel on the barrel end. The jewels were originally made of aluminum, but as materials ran out, some were build with plastic jewels as well. Additionally, the clips on First Year pens are much more like Vacumatic clips of the time, die-struck with a larger blue diamond than later model "51"s. A few more subtle indications can be an unmarked nib and a longer clutch inside the cap. Some rare examples also feature a ribbed hood section.
"51" Special (1950)
The "51" Special (not to be confused with the 51 Special Edition below) was a lower cost "51" released in 1950. It was designed with the hoop style aerometric filler, and used a stainless steel nib made from "Octanium." The cap was also stainless and featured a black jewel. It was originally only available in black, burgundy, teal blue, and navy gray, with forest green being added later in the production cycle. The "51" Special was produced in standard and demi sizes.
Mark II (mid 1960s-1969)
The Mark II was in part an attempt to update the look of the "51." The modifications were in part to create similarities between the "51" and the 61. This included a smaller 61 style clutch ring, and a change in the cap so that it gripped against the barrel instead of the ring. The end of the body was changed as well, dropping the rounded off back in favor flatter, slightly conical shape. The size and the shape of the end are very similar in proportion and angle to the jewel used on the cap. The Mark II still used an aerometric filler, but the sac guard used was modified so that it could be formed from one piece of metal that was formed closed, rather than using a plastic end cap to seal the back of the guard.
Mark III (1969-1972)
Mark III Parker "51"s remained visually fairly similar to the Mark II. Two of the most visible changes were the clutch ring, which was reduced to more of a simple trim ring and was no longer functional in any way, and the clip which was updated to mimic that of the Parker 61. This clip had a longer arrow than the originally introduced arrow clip, and it was not part of the cap trim ring, which instead now had an integrated jewel and screwed down to hold the clip in place.
51 Special Edition (2002)
Parker released a Special Edition re-issue of the "51" in 2002. It had a unique Empire State cap in silver and gold, and was a cartridge/converter filler, rather than the original vacumatic or aerometrics.
Nibs
A wide variety of nib tip types were available for the Parker "51." Normally, these nibs are 14kt gold, however pre-production pens were made with steel, and the "51" Special featured an "Octanium" stainless steel nib. The following points were standard options from Parker:
- Needle Point
- Accountant
- Extra Fine
- Shorthand
- Fine
- Medium
- Broad
- Arabic Medium
- Arabic Broad
- Medium Oblique
- Broad Oblique
- Stub
- Broad Stub
Caps/Clips
Different "51" caps can be problematic. First, there were several different clip versions during the life of the pen, along with countless cap finishes and cap band combinations. Secondly, caps occasionally became married to different pens due to part swapping and repairs over the years. Lastly, Parker didn't always shift gears into new setups cleanly, and generally phased in changes over time, so caps that sometimes appear to not match a pen, can.
Clips
Pre-production (1939-1940)
These caps were seen during the testing trials during 1939-1940. The clips were similar to the Vacumatic and had the split arrow with the name "Parker" running vertically between the sides of the arrow. The most defining feature is the lack of the blue diamond.
Split Arrow (1941-1946)
The Split Arrow cap is most commonly seen on vacumatic "51"s starting with First Year pens, and is nearly identical to the pre-production clips, except that they now featured the blue diamond guarantee. Normally these clips were gold filled, but it is possibly to find nickel plated variants on rarer caps.
Long Arrow I (1946-1950s)
These clips came out towards the end of 1946 and were phased in as a replacement to the Split Arrow caps. The arrows were longer, and dropped the "Parker" name imprint. The overall clip length also increased.
Short Arrow (1950s-1969)
Similar to the Long Arrow, but about 3/4s the length. These clips began appearing during the 1950s, and carried over into the introduction of the Mark II.
Long Arrow II (1969-1972)
The "51" cap underwent the final change c. 1969. The clip was lengthened, and the overall arrow length was again increased even longer than the first Long Arrow. The clip no longer attached to the top cap trim ring, and was instead held in place by the new screw in trim ring/jewel assembly. This redesign was meant to mimc the cap for the Parker 61.
Caps
Finishes
(no information yet)
Cap Bands
(no information yet)
Colors
Vacumatic Filler (1941-1948)[2]
- India Black
- Dove Gray
- Cordovan Brown
- Buckskin Beige (Tan)
- Mustard (Yellowstone)
- Nassau Green (Sage Green)
- Navy Gray (non-USA color)
- Blue Cedar
Aerometric Filler (1948-1972)[2]
- Black*
- Burgundy I*
- Burgundy II (non-USA color)
- Cocoa
- Forest Green
- Navy Gray*
- Teal Blue*
- Midnight Blue
- Plum
- Rage Red (Mk III only)
- Vista Blue (Mk III and 51 SE only)
* The "51" Special was offered initially with the four noted colors. Forest Green was added later.
Metal Aerometric [2]
- Brushed Stainless Steel (Flighter model)
- Gold Filled (Signet model)
- Gold (Presidential model)
Sales Numbers
In the Spring 2002 issue of The PENnant, an article by Fultz, Zazove, & Parker was published that had the following sales statistics for the Parker "51" from 1941-1948.
| Year | Units |
| 1941: | 6,236 |
| 1942: | 214,163 |
| 1943: | 384,512 |
| 1944: | 440,645 |
| 1945: | 471,904 |
| 1946: | 1,035,368 |
| 1947: | 2,109,797 |
| 1948: | 2,007,025 |
Footnotes
- ^ Vintage Pens. (2008). First-year Parker 51s. Retrieved 22:36, January 16, 2008, from http://www.vintagepens.com/FAQhistory/1941_51s.shtml
- ^ a b c Richards Pens. (2007). Profile: The Parker "51". Retrieved 18:30, August 12, 2007, from http://www.richardspens.com/ref_info/51_profile.htm
External Links
- Profile: The Parker “51” at Richard's Pens
- Parker 51 at Wikipedia
- Parker 51 at VintagePens.com
- History of the Parker 51 at Parker51.com
- Parker "51" Ink at hjort.it
