Parker Pens

Telegraphy teacher George Parker, dissatisfied with his students’ pens, invented and patented his own feeder in 1894, making ink spills less common by drawing excess ink back into the pen. By 1908 Parker claimed to be the largest pen manufacturer in the world, and in 1941 the Parker 51 model (considered by many the finest American pen) made pen history with its quick drying ink, 14k gold nib, and quick action filler.

The widely imitated Parker 51, with 300 million produced (through 1972 in the U.S.) offers many variations and has become very popular with collectors in recent years. The original models had 14kt gold nibs fitted inside a hood to avoid leaks, and a sleek Lucite body. They used a specially developed, fast drying ink which came in four colors...