Parker 51 pricing help ...

[Blue-EyedSon]

I made a brief foray into the world of fountain pens a number of months ago, but ended up selling the pens I had. I had a Waterman Phileas with a F nib and a Lamy Al Star with a EF nib. Neither pen was able to put down a line that was thin enough for my needs. For reference, I use a Pilot G2 .38. So, I like pens that put down very, very thin lines. At the time, I had several people recommend that I consider a Parker 51 with a F or finer nib. I've been getting the itch to try a fountain pen again and I think I may get one for myself as a graduation gift. As I've been looking, I found a Parker 51 pen and pencil set. The set is the teal blue color. The pen has an EF nib and is an aero fill style. Caps for both are Lusterloy. The set comes with the original presentation box/case. It would be coming from a reputable restorer/dealer and is reported to be in mint condition. The seller is asking $150. Is this a good price? If I were to purchase it and decide that it wasn't for me, would I have trouble recovering what I put into it?

[johnmrson]

For a mint set it's probably about standard for eBay.

[pal]

I made a brief foray into the world of fountain pens a number of months ago, but ended up selling the pens I had. I had a Waterman Phileas with a F nib and a Lamy Al Star with a EF nib. Neither pen was able to put down a line that was thin enough for my needs. For reference, I use a Pilot G2 .38. So, I like pens that put down very, very thin lines. At the time, I had several people recommend that I consider a Parker 51 with a F or finer nib. I've been getting the itch to try a fountain pen again and I think I may get one for myself as a graduation gift. As I've been looking, I found a Parker 51 pen and pencil set. The set is the teal blue color. The pen has an EF nib and is an aero fill style. Caps for both are Lusterloy. The set comes with the original presentation box/case. It would be coming from a reputable restorer/dealer and is reported to be in mint condition. The seller is asking $150. Is this a good price? If I were to purchase it and decide that it wasn't for me, would I have trouble recovering what I put into it?

What kind of filler system does it have? When it comes to Parker 51's the Vacumatic filler is the most sought after. The Areometric system that followed was a thousand times better and is almost indestructible. But like the Gillette FatBoy in shaving circles, the Vacumatic is the one that is most valued.

You are smart in buying a set from a reputable restorer/dealer. You may pay a little more but at lest you know what you are getting. If the fountain pen is a Vacumatic Filler and is in restored condition, I would say $150.00 is a good price. If it is a Aerometric Filler, I would think a little less.

[kingfisher]

That's pretty steep, but it's probably that price for three reasons:

1) it is in perfect condition
2) it comes as a pen/pencil set
3) the teal color is not all that common

If you only want the pen and not the pencil, find another XF nibbed aerometric filler. Should be able to find a nice one for less than a hundred pretty easily, especially if you are not picky about the color.

I, too, prefer ultra thin lines. The 51 XFs are pretty darn great. Other fountain pens that fit the bill are Japanese pens in F or XF. Sailor and Pilot, in particular, have amazing XF nibs. The absolute best XF nibs in my collection are both Pilots; one was about 15 bucks in Japan town in San Francisco. Unbelievable line; thin and smooth. Way better than a 0.38 Pilot gel. Unfortunately, the pen doesn't have a clip, so for me it is quite impractical.
I have another one that does have a clip, but I seldom use it because the barrel diameter is too small for my big hands (which is also why I never use my Parker 51s anymore, either).

If you are interested in a Pilot with a good XF nib, let me know by PM. I also have a black 51 with a really nice XF nib that I would consider selling if you are interested. I've held onto it for sentimental reasons, but I'd think about selling it at this point in time.

[Blue-EyedSon]

Thanks for the responses. It is an aerometric fill system.

It sounds like the general consensus is that it is probably on the expensive side. I'm assuming that if fountain pen prices on eBay are anything like safety razor prices on eBay, then when John says it is about standard for eBay, it translates to, "It can be had for less." I figured it was more expensive because of it being in a set and it being from a dealer, but it is good to hear that from those that know. I don't know that I especially want a pencil, but I thought it might be nice as part of a graduation gift set. I'm somewhat particular on the color, but not too picky. Something blue-ish or black would be fine. So, if it is on the expensive side, then I think some patience is in order. Patience has saved me in acquiring razors. So, I think I'll need to stick with that in venturing into fountain pens again.

Thank you, again, for the responses.

[TenorClef]

I bought a Parker 51 in Teal a few months back off ebay, i think i paid £40 (sorry don't know what that is in $'s), its a really lovely pen, i love the feel and the way it writes. I understand Parker made lots of them so you should come across them frequently via ebay.

[Rev. Nathan]

Unless the nib was modified (which it sounds like it was not), all Parker 51's lay down a medium line. Some say it's somewhere between a Fine and Medium line (M/F as it's sometimes called), but I could contest it's a pretty certain medium.

Here's a pic of my Parker 51 M, Lamy Safari F, and a Pilot Varsity M:
http://bigrevmedia.com/coronets/inks.jpg

The right two paragraphs are the same Parker 51. The bottom left is the Safari Fine, the upper left is a Varsity disposable. As you can see, the 51's line with much closer to that of a Medium than a Fine.

I would ask the seller to write something with the 51 to confirm the nib has been changed. Otherwise, you'll be writing a thicker line than you have before!

[Blue-EyedSon]

Thanks, Nathan. That is very helpful. I've been confused about determining nib sizes on a Parker 51 because of the slightly covered nib, which seemed like it would obscure any markings. I asked about it on fountainpennetwork and some folks there said that there weren't any markings on the nibs to reveal what size one is. Moreover, they said that each of the nibs was hand ground and tuned, which means that there is some variability from one pen to the next. As such, they said that some can be finer or broader than others. But it is entirely possible I received some bad information there. Are you sure that all Parker 51s write with about the same width as the one with which your wrote that nice sample?

[Uncle Erik]

I believe that the 51 came from the factory in a variety of nib widths. I seem to recall having seen old advertising for it, and I think the nibs are marked, but the hood needs to be removed to see it.

As for the set, you'd be paying a premium for the teal color. If the set were black, navy or gray, it would be a bit less.

You might want to have a nib customized exactly how you want. nibs.com does terrific custom work, so you won't have to hunt and can get precisely the nib you want.

[Rev. Nathan]

Thanks, Nathan. That is very helpful. I've been confused about determining nib sizes on a Parker 51 because of the slightly covered nib, which seemed like it would obscure any markings. I asked about it on fountainpennetwork and some folks there said that there weren't any markings on the nibs to reveal what size one is. Moreover, they said that each of the nibs was hand ground and tuned, which means that there is some variability from one pen to the next. As such, they said that some can be finer or broader than others. But it is entirely possible I received some bad information there. Are you sure that all Parker 51s write with about the same width as the one with which your wrote that nice sample?

I would only know as much as FPN would know. I do believe that is correct, that each were grounded individually (since I think iridium is hard to ground, which is what the nib is made of). I believe that's where the "M/F" idea comes from, since it seems they are write somewhere between a fine or medium line.

[Rev. Nathan]

As for the set, you'd be paying a premium for the teal color. If the set were black, navy or gray, it would be a bit less.

Hmm... is teal that uncommon of a color? That's the color of my "51" Special, and I only paid $50 for it. I thought it was the most common! Maybe not. Here's my pen:

http://bigrevmedia.com/pens/IMG_0527.JPG

http://bigrevmedia.com/pens/IMG_0528.JPG

[Austin]

http://bigrevmedia.com/pens/IMG_0528.JPG

I have J. Herbin Encre Violette. This is a great ink and it smell good too.