Parker 51 - The Definitive History

The definitive book on the Parker 51, 'the world's most successful fountain pen' which chronicles the history and development of the 51 from its inception.

David Shepherd's acclaimed book has descriptions of every type and variation of the 51 with photographs of previously unpublished pens and 51 ephemera, together with details of how the pen was promoted and marketed worldwide.

The book is an essential reference for anyone interested in the Parker 51, and a superb read for those new to pens who want to know why this particular model from Parker is so often called the best pen ever made.

Contents

History
The company in the 1930s
The beginnings of the 51 story
The design team

Design
Filling system
Putting the design together
New features
Major components

Marketing
The choice of name
Early test marketing
Store tests
Introducing the pen to the public
The 51 Club Contest

2. Evolution of the range

First Year

Vacumatic
American production
English production
Canadian production

Clips

Nibs

Demonstrators
Early models
Later models
Other examples
Dummy testers

Inks
Introduction
V Mail

Prototypes
Design process
Nibs and caps

Customised pens

Replicas

Patents
The Donato suit
Patent infringements

Repairs

3. Components and designs

Barrels
Styles
Colours

Caps
Introduction
Gold Blue Diamond
Other early caps
Later caps
Television
Influence of aviation
Other strategies
Strange but true
Worldwide
England

Dealerships
Displays
Sales techniques

Packaging
Designers
American production
English production

4. Presentation and marketing

Advertising
Introduction
Early advertisements
Campaign to sell less
Blue Diamond guarantee
Famous Parker hands
Promotion of the new model
Norman Rockwell
Later advertisements
Point of purchase displays

Red Band

Development
From Vacumatic to Aerometric

Aerometric
Introduction
Early American models
Luxury American models
The American Special
Later American models
Changing American design
Early English models
Later English models
Argentinian production
Changing English design
Contrasting styles

Demi size

Pencil

Ballpoint

Liquid Lead pencil

Desk pen

2002 special edition

5. Provenance, valuation and further information

Provenance
Famous 51 owners

Valuation
Introduction
Where to buy and sell
Price guidelines

Dating
By imprint
By design

Anatomy
Drawings from the Parker manual

Glossary

Chronology
Key dates

Contacts

Index