Parker
51 Special
Fountain Pen
Filling System
Pneumatic (Aero-metric or similar bulb/sac depending on sub-variant, typically Aero-metric filler for Special)
Condition
Very Good vintage condition with minor wear on the gold-filled cap and good color retention on the barrel
Estimated Value
$80 - $130
Era
Vintage 1950s
Pen Specifications
Pen Type
Fountain Pen
Filling System
Pneumatic (Aero-metric or similar bulb/sac depending on sub-variant, typically Aero-metric filler for Special)
Body Material
Lucite (PMMA)
Trim Material
Gold-Filled (Cap)
Color / Pattern
Cedar Blue or Sage Green (often mislabeled as grey by online sellers; appears to be a muted greenish-grey or sage tone)
Cap Type
Slip Cap (Clutch Ring)
Clip Design
Parker Arrow clip with blue diamond or standard drop-end design
Barrel Shape
Streamlined / Cigar-Shaped
Nib Details
Nib Material
Octanium (alloy of stainless steel)
Nib Size
Fine
Nib Type
Standard hooded
Nib Condition
Hooded nib appears clean and properly aligned based on supplementary thumbnail previews
Dimensions
Size / Dimensions
Approximately 138 mm capped, 120 mm uncapped, 150 mm posted
Weight Estimate
22 grams, well-balanced
Heritage & Origin
Era / Period
Vintage 1950s
Country of Origin
USA
Rarity
Common
Condition & Value
Overall Condition
Very Good vintage condition with minor wear on the gold-filled cap and good color retention on the barrel
Filling System Condition
Assumed functional, though sac condition should be verified prior to heavy use
Estimated Value
$80 - $130
Special Features
Features the budget-friendly 'Special' variant specification with an Octanium nib and a lustralloy or gold-filled cap
Ink Recommendations
Parker Quink Blue or Black, Waterman Serenity Blue
Care Recommendations
Flush periodically with cool water; avoid using heavily saturated iron-gall or pigment inks to protect the sac and collector
Interesting Facts
The Parker 51 is often hailed as one of the greatest and most successful fountain pens ever made, originally designed to utilize fast-drying '51' ink
Overall Assessment
A reliable and iconic vintage daily writer from the mid-20th century, highly collectible and structurally robust