I have my Dads engraved Parker 51 with gold nib and fittings, teal barrel and it not only signed my birth certificate but was his everyday pen . My grandad bought him it to do his master mariner exams, it sailed or steamed through the Panama canal and Suez during both crisis including a Panama crisis when the logger tipped its load into the canal during a cyclone or storm of some sort. I also have his photo book which he wrote in using his 51 and have pictures of his adventures across the world. I have his Zeiss Super Ikonta mf camera which worked until 2020. It last worked the day before we left the EU when someone unknown in my family tried to use it without having any idea about how it worked. Sadly there is nobody in my town able to repair it or to service my pens. I have flushed out my dad's pen and took it apart and he must have looked after it extremely well as it was used heavily yet had no ink clogging the feed at all. Absolutely brilliant video and thanks for sharing the history too!
Some additional details: there were several 51s that Eisenhower used to sign the peace documents across Europe. The one you showed was the one given to France. It was also a vacumatic, as the aerometric didn't come out until 1948. MacArthur used his wife's Duofold. Had it shipped to him for the signing. Both are very iconic pens, and I fully intend to get an example of the same year at least of many iconic historical pens (I'm going to possibly never be able to afford a "Red Dwarf" stylograph like Churchill preferred. (What? Not Conway Stewart??!! Nope. He did use those during WWII, but out of necessity.) The aerometric was out in the Americas around 1948, but later in England. Queen Elizabeth II's 51 she still uses is a '52 vacumatic. MacArthur probably used a "Lucky Curve" Duofold, based on the date. An innovation in design, as the feed stopped burping. I'm pretty sure that most modern feeds can trace their ancestry to the 51 collector. (Before it, wasn't really any fins on feeds. Ladder feeds I really wouldn't call "finned.") BTW, the Superchrome inks were also harmful to the sterling silver breather tubes in the early aerometric 51s. Possibly the worst ink for fountain pens ever made. Even worse than the reputation some give Noodler's. 😂 However, a popular ink from Parker during WWII was very safe. I have a 4 ounce bottle of microfilm black, which, except for a slight difference in shade, is almost identical to modern Parker Quink (and they also don't use phenol in it, any more. Supposed to be toxic in industrial doses, yet it's still used in Chloraseptic. 🤔) Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these iconic designs. (And letting me natter on like a pedant. 😁) Hope you have a great weekend, Doug!
This is wonderful information, Paul! Thank you so much! Fascinating. I knew there were a number of documents signed all over Europe; some of which were before May 7. And Eisenhower wasn't even there. That B&W photo of him with the pens was after those ceremonies.
What luck to have a neighbor that trusts you with their treasure 😊 The Parker 51 looked like a lot of fun. I hope the Duofold is returned to its former glory. It's too pretty to just look at!
I hope so too! I tried again just now to pull the nib after soaking it for a while in pen flush. No go. Now I have it in soapy water and will try again tomorrow.
What a wonderful video. And why am I not surprised at each general's choice of pens? I grew up not too far from Janesville, Wisconsin, Parker's original home. Their diminished status in the dark recesses of Newell Brands is particularly bittersweet.
Wonderful review! February 2020 I started using my Grandfather's Parker 51s after a very looong sleep... I really appreciate the history lesson and the review.
The duofold is beautiful, Doug! I guess the duofolds you have shown in the beginning are special editions, not regular offerings. Thanks for the video. 😊
In 1988 I was using a lovely Papermate biro that I still have. Alas the original cartridges which had a pump system for writing upside down are no longer available. Another great American pen. The nearest I have got to the Parker Centennial is the Jimhao orange centennial.
Very nice video. Thank you. I remember my gold cap parker 51 from my College days which I lent to one of my cousins and never got back. I have been using Parker 21 during my University days and was very much satisfied with this pen. Now in my old age I write much with Parker IP. It writes very well. However the metallic body feels a bit heavy in hand.
Great history lesson! There’s such a storied history to that company. I have a Safford Fifth Avenue, which was a cheap-o store model pen for Woolworth’s, made by the Parker Pen Co. as a “break even” product that was solely meant to keep employees working during the Great Depression. It was a terrible pen, but it reminds me of what common good conscientious employers can do. I hope you get the issues with that Duofold sorted out. The 51 is my favorite vintage pen -comfortable, reliable, and just pretty to look at. I’ve got 3 in F/EF sizes, one of which is dated 1946 on the nib. I would LOVE to get my hands on an architect/italic to feel how that writes!
Simichrome polish is great - I use it a lot in finishing up pens! You should try and remove the nib and feed if possible - the only way to clean the feed properly if it has issues with ink flow.
A nice history lesson and review, Can't wait for the centennial in Galaxy. Might I recommend grabbing an jowo Omniflex nib, ripping it out of its collar and eloquently placing it in your centennial 100. Ive been having a lot of fun with mine :D. using yama budo for its wetness and I got the rose gold Omniflex, since maybe its hearsay but the black coating makes the nib stiffer? Just having a little fun also kept the jinhao feed.
That's the main message of my video tomorrow - the Jinhao 100s are just plain fun! I'm horrible at flexing so I might not take you up on the suggestion of the Omniflex. I'm a lazy calligrapher. Spoiler: I swap an Italix broad cursive italic into the Jinhao 100 Galaxy.
Those are beautiful pens I'm not so much a fan of the hooded nibs these days but I really like the beautiful chitoiancy that that that duafold had oof It boggles my mind why they cant do things like that these days :) Thanks Doug Take care :)
Hoping to see an update in that Duofold Doug, looks like a great writer with a lot of character as you say, I received my Parker Quink BB a few days ago and I loved the color, I already fill three pens with it and I agree that is a quick drying ink but luckily I haven't had any skipping or hard start issues. I saw Doodlebud likes Parker Quink Washable Blue for vintage and his custom grinds I don't know if that would improve the Duofold but either way I expect it to become a very lovely writer once you solve that flow problem :)
I have the exact same Centennial model of Duofold with a medium nib. Pulling the nib and feed for extra cleaning may clear up the flow issues. I saw the MacArthur pen in his museum in Virginia. I believe the pen belonged to his wife. Great reviews as always!
Where do I buy the professional swirl remover and how do I use it? I have an ultrasonic jewellèry cleaner. How do I use pen flush (I have the Goulet type) in myl ultrasonic jewellery cleaner?
You can get it at any automotive/hardware store. It is a car polishing compound. You can get it on Amazon as well. And just fill your jewelry ultrasonic cleaner with pen flush and let the pen part (usually just the section and converter) sit in that on vibrate for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly with clear water, and dry.
I have a Parker Centennial, but it has no medal on the top... I have the original box, manual. Is it before 1988? If I'm not mistaken, there was a 1987 version.
Interesting that people bought just the cap of the 51to feel like they were part of the status movement. I haven't heard of any other pen that was such a movement. I have not started looking for a 51, new or otherwise. There has been so much differing opinions of the new model for the new version, I have hesitated even buying an original, fearing that it may need far too much maintenance or repair. Maybe I am being too doubtful. I would love to find one with the vacuumatic filler. I wonder if it would be worth it. I have the revised Centennial Duofold in the blue marble resin. It is gorgeous. Great review Doug.
There's a young man from California who does Vacumatic restoration, Aidan Chou. You can find information on him from both Chrisrap52 and Larry's Fountain Pen Reviews on RUclips. My '47 Vacumatic ran $150. (The Vacumatic might need a diaphragm replacement about every decade, but they hold more ink and are easier to work on. I prefer the vacumatic type, myself. 😉 I gotta say that the aerometric ones usually only need a good cleaning and they're ready to go. The "Pli-glas" sacs (really just PVC) are almost indestructible, so cleaning is about all you'd need. Though they're a bugger to get all the old ink out of, in my experience... His are generally American, which tend to be fine or extra fine, so if you want something else, keep in contact with Steph from Grandmia Pens from the UK (also on RUclips.) Hope you find one you like!
If I remember correctly, Parker doesn't have any factories left in the UK anymore and they do produce some of their cheap pens in France like their jotter fountain pen, maybe the new 51 too since it uses the same nib.
Just to say Newell closed down Newhaven in 2011. All high end Parkers since then (and some mechanised lower end ones) have been made in the Waterman factory in Nantes (France). The remainder being made in China, with the exception of some pens for the Indian market made by Luxor in India.
The Moonman Ti200 is heavier, slightly slimmer, a LOT more slippery and has a longer section than the 51. The steel nib on my Ti200 was thin and dry and not particularly smooth. I replaced it almost immediately with a Bobby mini-fude bent nib.
Wait wait. You said the Parker duofold from 88 was in unused condition. Did he not use it at all? He bought it because he started teaching, a profession that allows one to write almost as much as they want, and he didn’t use the pen? I have to have misunderstood that. Golly if somebody finds an original 1988 100th anniversary pen, unused, they might wanna buy a lotto ticket.
No, I said it was in good condition but unused for years. It had a lot of dried up ink and some light scratching. He bought it for his wife, Teresa when SHE started teaching. She is retired now. It is in excellent shape. I would guess it is worth $600-$800.
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When I see a Parker pen I see a Rolls Royce in pen form. Nice vid Bud.
Wow, what a stunner that 51!
Fascinating review, thanks Doug
My pleasure!
That other video I was watching will have to wait once I see the notification for Inkquiring Minds!
Perfect!
Thank you for the lesson in ww2 history of fountain pens that were used at that time to sign the documents, as well as info on the pens!! ,
Thank you Maria. That is much appreciated!
Ultra smooth sounds good.
I have my Dads engraved Parker 51 with gold nib and fittings, teal barrel and it not only signed my birth certificate but was his everyday pen . My grandad bought him it to do his master mariner exams, it sailed or steamed through the Panama canal and Suez during both crisis including a Panama crisis when the logger tipped its load into the canal during a cyclone or storm of some sort. I also have his photo book which he wrote in using his 51 and have pictures of his adventures across the world. I have his Zeiss Super Ikonta mf camera which worked until 2020. It last worked the day before we left the EU when someone unknown in my family tried to use it without having any idea about how it worked. Sadly there is nobody in my town able to repair it or to service my pens. I have flushed out my dad's pen and took it apart and he must have looked after it extremely well as it was used heavily yet had no ink clogging the feed at all. Absolutely brilliant video and thanks for sharing the history too!
What a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing, @SiennaArtsandCrafts!
Beautiful Parker examples, Sir Doug. Thanks for sharing. The material on the Duofold is eye catching.
Many thanks!
Some additional details: there were several 51s that Eisenhower used to sign the peace documents across Europe. The one you showed was the one given to France. It was also a vacumatic, as the aerometric didn't come out until 1948.
MacArthur used his wife's Duofold. Had it shipped to him for the signing.
Both are very iconic pens, and I fully intend to get an example of the same year at least of many iconic historical pens (I'm going to possibly never be able to afford a "Red Dwarf" stylograph like Churchill preferred. (What? Not Conway Stewart??!! Nope. He did use those during WWII, but out of necessity.)
The aerometric was out in the Americas around 1948, but later in England. Queen Elizabeth II's 51 she still uses is a '52 vacumatic.
MacArthur probably used a "Lucky Curve" Duofold, based on the date. An innovation in design, as the feed stopped burping.
I'm pretty sure that most modern feeds can trace their ancestry to the 51 collector. (Before it, wasn't really any fins on feeds. Ladder feeds I really wouldn't call "finned.")
BTW, the Superchrome inks were also harmful to the sterling silver breather tubes in the early aerometric 51s. Possibly the worst ink for fountain pens ever made. Even worse than the reputation some give Noodler's. 😂
However, a popular ink from Parker during WWII was very safe. I have a 4 ounce bottle of microfilm black, which, except for a slight difference in shade, is almost identical to modern Parker Quink (and they also don't use phenol in it, any more. Supposed to be toxic in industrial doses, yet it's still used in Chloraseptic. 🤔)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these iconic designs. (And letting me natter on like a pedant. 😁) Hope you have a great weekend, Doug!
This is wonderful information, Paul! Thank you so much! Fascinating. I knew there were a number of documents signed all over Europe; some of which were before May 7. And Eisenhower wasn't even there. That B&W photo of him with the pens was after those ceremonies.
The quality of your videos are unparalleled, well done.
Wow, thanks!
What luck to have a neighbor that trusts you with their treasure 😊 The Parker 51 looked like a lot of fun. I hope the Duofold is returned to its former glory. It's too pretty to just look at!
I hope so too! I tried again just now to pull the nib after soaking it for a while in pen flush. No go. Now I have it in soapy water and will try again tomorrow.
What a wonderful video. And why am I not surprised at each general's choice of pens? I grew up not too far from Janesville, Wisconsin, Parker's original home. Their diminished status in the dark recesses of Newell Brands is particularly bittersweet.
Apparently, the did a LOT of modernizing of the Janesville plant in the '80's hoping to revive it, without success.
I actually didn’t know this! Thank you for the history, I always enjoy learning more 😊
My pleasure!
Perfect timing for reviewing two legends!!! Thanks Doug.
Thanks so much!
Wonderful review! February 2020 I started using my Grandfather's Parker 51s after a very looong sleep... I really appreciate the history lesson and the review.
Glad it was helpful!
A fascinating and beautifully made video, Doug. Thank you.
Many thanks!
Newhaven is East of Brighton. West of Brighton is Worthing, where I lived for a while.
My Google map must be broken.
@@InkquiringMinds it's the Illuminati again.
The duofold is beautiful, Doug! I guess the duofolds you have shown in the beginning are special editions, not regular offerings. Thanks for the video. 😊
Excellent video, Doug. Two of the best pen designs ever.
Many thanks!
@12:02 The southpark shorts crack me up
LOL!
I must say these are two stunning pens, thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Luc!
Wow! Great pens, great review.
Thanks Oscar!
In 1988 I was using a lovely Papermate biro that I still have. Alas the original cartridges which had a pump system for writing upside down are no longer available. Another great American pen.
The nearest I have got to the Parker Centennial is the Jimhao orange centennial.
This is the first genuine Centennial I've ever held.
Superb video. Theresa has a great neighbor.
Very nice video. Thank you. I remember my gold cap parker 51 from my College days which I lent to one of my cousins and never got back. I have been using Parker 21 during my University days and was very much satisfied with this pen. Now in my old age I write much with Parker IP. It writes very well. However the metallic body feels a bit heavy in hand.
Great history lesson! There’s such a storied history to that company. I have a Safford Fifth Avenue, which was a cheap-o store model pen for Woolworth’s, made by the Parker Pen Co. as a “break even” product that was solely meant to keep employees working during the Great Depression. It was a terrible pen, but it reminds me of what common good conscientious employers can do.
I hope you get the issues with that Duofold sorted out. The 51 is my favorite vintage pen -comfortable, reliable, and just pretty to look at. I’ve got 3 in F/EF sizes, one of which is dated 1946 on the nib. I would LOVE to get my hands on an architect/italic to feel how that writes!
Thanks, Ryan. I have the nib soaking in soapy water overnight to see if I can budge it tomorrow.
Simichrome polish is great - I use it a lot in finishing up pens!
You should try and remove the nib and feed if possible - the only way to clean the feed properly if it has issues with ink flow.
A nice history lesson and review, Can't wait for the centennial in Galaxy. Might I recommend grabbing an jowo Omniflex nib, ripping it out of its collar and eloquently placing it in your centennial 100. Ive been having a lot of fun with mine :D. using yama budo for its wetness and I got the rose gold Omniflex, since maybe its hearsay but the black coating makes the nib stiffer?
Just having a little fun also kept the jinhao feed.
That's the main message of my video tomorrow - the Jinhao 100s are just plain fun! I'm horrible at flexing so I might not take you up on the suggestion of the Omniflex. I'm a lazy calligrapher. Spoiler: I swap an Italix broad cursive italic into the Jinhao 100 Galaxy.
Those are beautiful pens I'm not so much a fan of the hooded nibs these days but I really like the beautiful chitoiancy that that that duafold had oof It boggles my mind why they cant do things like that these days :)
Thanks Doug Take care :)
Hoping to see an update in that Duofold Doug, looks like a great writer with a lot of character as you say, I received my Parker Quink BB a few days ago and I loved the color, I already fill three pens with it and I agree that is a quick drying ink but luckily I haven't had any skipping or hard start issues. I saw Doodlebud likes Parker Quink Washable Blue for vintage and his custom grinds I don't know if that would improve the Duofold but either way I expect it to become a very lovely writer once you solve that flow problem :)
I’m going to try to pull the nib this afternoon.
I am currently between the modern Duofold Centennial Big Red and the Pelikan m800. Any thoughts?
Pelikan M800 hands down!
I have the exact same Centennial model of Duofold with a medium nib. Pulling the nib and feed for extra cleaning may clear up the flow issues. I saw the MacArthur pen in his museum in Virginia. I believe the pen belonged to his wife. Great reviews as always!
Oooo thanks for that information Kevin!
Cool thanks Kevin! The nib is friction fit? I couldn’t find that info.
@@Javi_C , you are welcome!
@@InkquiringMinds , you are welcome! Yes, it is and the best of Parker as befits a 100th annivesary pen!!
@@kevinlandon7578 Excellent. I'll soak the nib again in pen flush and try to pull it.
Where do I buy the professional swirl remover and how do I use it?
I have an ultrasonic jewellèry cleaner. How do I use pen flush (I have the Goulet type) in myl ultrasonic jewellery cleaner?
You can get it at any automotive/hardware store. It is a car polishing compound. You can get it on Amazon as well. And just fill your jewelry ultrasonic cleaner with pen flush and let the pen part (usually just the section and converter) sit in that on vibrate for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly with clear water, and dry.
I have a Parker Centennial, but it has no medal on the top... I have the original box, manual. Is it before 1988? If I'm not mistaken, there was a 1987 version.
I think you're right.
Interesting that people bought just the cap of the 51to feel like they were part of the status movement. I haven't heard of any other pen that was such a movement.
I have not started looking for a 51, new or otherwise. There has been so much differing opinions of the new model for the new version, I have hesitated even buying an original, fearing that it may need far too much maintenance or repair. Maybe I am being too doubtful. I would love to find one with the vacuumatic filler. I wonder if it would be worth it.
I have the revised Centennial Duofold in the blue marble resin. It is gorgeous.
Great review Doug.
I don't remember where I heard/read that story of the 51 caps. It may be apochryphal but it is cool nonetheless.
There's a young man from California who does Vacumatic restoration, Aidan Chou. You can find information on him from both Chrisrap52 and Larry's Fountain Pen Reviews on RUclips. My '47 Vacumatic ran $150. (The Vacumatic might need a diaphragm replacement about every decade, but they hold more ink and are easier to work on. I prefer the vacumatic type, myself. 😉
I gotta say that the aerometric ones usually only need a good cleaning and they're ready to go. The "Pli-glas" sacs (really just PVC) are almost indestructible, so cleaning is about all you'd need. Though they're a bugger to get all the old ink out of, in my experience...
His are generally American, which tend to be fine or extra fine, so if you want something else, keep in contact with Steph from Grandmia Pens from the UK (also on RUclips.) Hope you find one you like!
If I remember correctly, Parker doesn't have any factories left in the UK anymore and they do produce some of their cheap pens in France like their jotter fountain pen, maybe the new 51 too since it uses the same nib.
The new gold nib Parker 51 is made in France. The steel nib in China.
Just to say Newell closed down Newhaven in 2011. All high end Parkers since then (and some mechanised lower end ones) have been made in the Waterman factory in Nantes (France). The remainder being made in China, with the exception of some pens for the Indian market made by Luxor in India.
Yup. They have a varied history and Parker isn't Parker anymore.
I have both❤
Excellent! Two iconic beauties. And, such iconic pens surely deserve a better hat ... go Yankees! 😁
We’ll they are tearing it up right now!
I find it amusing that the three major powers on the wrong side of WW2 now make the best fountain pens in the world.
Two.
How does the moonman titanium hooded nib compares to the old Parker 51?
The Moonman Ti200 is heavier, slightly slimmer, a LOT more slippery and has a longer section than the 51. The steel nib on my Ti200 was thin and dry and not particularly smooth. I replaced it almost immediately with a Bobby mini-fude bent nib.
The Parker Centennial is it with real gold or just a crustaion.
I don't understand the question?
@@InkquiringMinds I mean the clip is it a solid gold or just a painted or plated steel one.
It is gold plated.
@@InkquiringMinds Thank you so much.
Very nice, but pricey.
Wait wait. You said the Parker duofold from 88 was in unused condition. Did he not use it at all? He bought it because he started teaching, a profession that allows one to write almost as much as they want, and he didn’t use the pen? I have to have misunderstood that. Golly if somebody finds an original 1988 100th anniversary pen, unused, they might wanna buy a lotto ticket.
No, I said it was in good condition but unused for years. It had a lot of dried up ink and some light scratching. He bought it for his wife, Teresa when SHE started teaching. She is retired now. It is in excellent shape. I would guess it is worth $600-$800.
@@InkquiringMinds oh dang, I missed that part. Still a beautiful pen
How the mighty have fallen. Parker fountain pens aren't as good anymore.