How Do You Date A Parker 51 Fountain Pen?
The Parker 51 fountain pen is a classic writing instrument first put into production in 1941, when the company celebrated its 51st anniversary in business. Parker made subtle and overt changes to 51 in the decades since the fountain pen was first introduced, although the basic design remains the same. Learning about style changes in the Parker 51 will help you date a pen and perhaps locate a collector’s item, as these fine writing instruments are now considered to be. Identify first-year 1941 models by the imitation jewels mounted on the end of the pen cap and the barrel end. The jewel on the end cap (tassie) is affixed to the top of the screw that holds the pocket clip in place. Almost every first-year model was engraved with a single-line imprint around the end of the cap barrel near the tassie. Parker 51 pens with two imitation jewels–one on the cap and another on the end of the pen barrel–remained in production until 1948, although very few were made after 1946. If there is no Pa
