Vintage Pens

We love that the early Parker Vacumatics didn't have a standard look. This grey-marble model is quite handsome and fully restored with a new diaphragm. You can see in the photo it is a double-jewel, lock-down filler. It shows some wear from use, but it is in good working order. The celluloid is darkly ambered, and you can barely see through it. The good news is that it has a buttery smooth, wet medium nib. It is a ton of fun to write with. Click the headline for close-ups. This is the mid-sized pen and measures 12.1cm capped.

Look at the way the vibrant green radiates on the cap of this Canadian-made Parker Vacumatic. We consider it a junior-sized pen, a little shorter and more slender than a standard model but definitely larger than a "debutante" model. Fully restored with a new diaphragm, this vintage pen is in great working order. Its lockdown filler still locks down, as you can see in the photo. The clear barrel celluloid has ambered, but you can still see your ink level in it. Click the headline for close-ups. You will write a nice, fine line with its 14k gold nib. We love how the nib was labled "Vacumatic." Not a common feature in American-made Vac nibs. 11.1cm capped.

Parker introduced the last great innovation in filling system design with its capillary filler featured in the Parker 61. Unlike over-engineered Sheaffer Snorkels, the 61 had a Teflon-coated tube filled with a padding that wicked ink into the pen. Ingenius! The only trouble with it for modern collectors is that it is really hard to change ink colors. We spent several days flushing this pen clear. We love the crack- and wear-free turquoise hood and barrels on this set, but it is the RAINBOW CAPS that really stand out. Click the headline for a close up. The caps show some scuffing and wear. The clip is both loose and secure, as we can't get the jewel to unscrew. You will write a smooth fine line with the pen's 14k gold nib. The pencil is a Liquid Lead model that still writes a little.

At the depths of the Great Depression, Parker realized it needed to make pens people could afford if the company was to survive. This led to the birth of the Parker Thrift Time pen. It was a smaller, but still stylish, button-filler at a price that didn't break the bank. Our vintage pen has been fully restored with a new ink sac. Its burgundy coloring has discolored in places to an orangey hue. There's some brassing of the cap bands and clip. You will write a nice medium line with its 14k gold nib. 12.1cm capped.

Some pens are just difficult to define. Our Depression-era Parker looks a lot like a Parker Challenger in a demi size. However, it is the Parker Thrift Time pen. We restored this vintage pen with a new ink sac. A little of the nickel-plated trim is worn away, and there are some bite marks on the blind cap. Yet, the marble design helps to hide the wear. You will write a nice extra-fine line with its 14k gold nib. We don't find the line to be scratchy, but it isn't buttery smooth, either. A slender pen that measures 12.2cm capped.

A shiny vintage pen can brighten anybody's day, and we think this Parker Deluxe Challenger Jr. might brighten your's. We love the vibrant green and black marble design. This pen has been fully restored with a new ink sac. There are no cracks or deep scratches, but there is significant brassing, a little wear and a couple bite marks on the blind tail cap. Nice crisp imprint. You will write a nice fine to fine-medium line with its 14k gold nib. It is on the shorter and slender side. Click the headline for close-ups. 11.8cm capped.

If golfing and vintage pens are your passions, we have the ideal desk base for you! This is a Parker Duofold desk set designed to hold two fountain pens. It has the bronze image of a golfer in some very 1920s' looking golfing regalia. How could anyone look so earnest in those pants? Nevertheless, he is a rugged handsome man. A man of business and industry. Personally, we think the paper clip tray is cleverly positioned as a divot from his mighty swing. The two Duofold trumpets appear to be in good condition, as is the green marble (?) base. A price sticker that is likely original is under the base reading that it is a Parker set that originally cost $53.50. No model I.D. number. Sorry, the pens are long gone. This is about a foot long and 8 inches high. It weighs about 5 pounds and will likely cost a little extra to ship than our site can figure out how to ship. Please ask about shipping rates.

One of the last great Parker pens of the vintage pen era was the Parker 75. A luxury fountain pen made for daily use, it was a handsome sleek pen in a grey-flannel suit. This one is made of solid sterling silver in the cisele pattern that has been so popular that it is still used on some of the company's pens 60 years later. This pen was well loved and a go-to writer. Remarkably, there are no dents or major scratches to the silver cap and barrel. The gold-fill trim has brassing, and the section collar shows wear in the hash marks. Click the headline for close-ups. We put in a working original converter in the pen, but it also takes modern Parker converters and cartridges. You will write a nice medium line with its 14k gold nib. There's a touch of feedback but nothing bad. 12.8cm capped.