Parker "51" prices on ebay

In the Summer of 2006, I studied the prices of Parker "51"s that were sold on ebay, databasing over 350 sales. Here's the results. They hopefully provide an indication to what you can expect to pay, that is, what is probably the "right price" or what the pen you own is worth. Note, the data only includes pens that have Parker 51 in the listing title.

"51" Grading
Pens are graded according to five levels:

• Poor – Damaged, or serious dings etc
• Okay – Your standard, used Parker "51" shows scratches and some dents
• Good – Reasonable condition. A much cleaner example, with little or no dents
• Excellent – The kind where the cap still resembles a 'frosty' lustralloy
• Mint – Immaculate, usually unused and usually boxed

"51"s with gold-filled caps

• Poor: Average price £17, Minimum £13, Maximum £22
• Okay: Average price £22, Minimum £14, Maximum £31
• Good:Average price £33, Minimum £17, Maximum £67
• Excellent: Average price £55, Minimum £36, Maximum £86
• Mint: Average price £95, Minimum £87, Maximum £102
• Average price overall = £39

"51"s with steel caps

• Poor: Average price £16, Minimum £11, Maximum £21
• Okay: Average price £21, Minimum £13, Maximum £34
• Good: Average price £27, Minimum £16, Maximum £46
• Excellent: Average price £33, Minimum £21, Maximum £60
• Mint: Average price £64, Minimum £56, Maximum £69
• Average price overall = £28

Average prices of "51"s by colour

• Black: Gold cap £41, Steel cap £27, Average £33
• Burgundy: Gold cap £39, Steel cap £33, Average £35
• Teal: Gold cap £42, Steel cap £38, Average £35
• Grey: Gold cap £22, Steel cap £25, Average £25

Prices are generally similar across the colour ranges, but grey seems to be least popular. £25–£30 can buy a good/excellent example. It was noticable that quite a few of the more excellent/mint examples were in burgundy. I wonder if people simply didn't like this colour and consequently didn't use them much originally. Or, whether you just see a lot more of them with gold-filled caps given as special presents, and consequently not used as much as maybe a 'standard' black pen would be.

I've left out the rarer colours, as there wasn't really enough data.

A few other comments
Known traders on ebay (those who sell lots of pens and are recognised for quality) only achieved the same prices as other more casual ebayers. Except, for the higher value, excellent and mint examples. I guess these guys build trust in the quality of their product, and buyers trust that their mint pens really are mint - and will thus pay the money. They also present the product much better, further building trust in what you're purchasing.

Presenting the pen well will add 20–40% to the price.

A box can add 30–50% to the value.

The most expensive pen sold was a pretty standard black "51" from 1952 with a 1/10 12ct rolled gold cap. The key factors were it was absolutely immaculate, included the box and original instructions and was extremely well photographed from all angles. It was also from a well known pen trader on ebay.

Click here for a list of Parker 51s currently for sale over on ebay.

Not a Parker 45

This is one of those pens that can confuse even the most dedicated collector of English Parker pens – the ‘New’ Slimfold. It can also cause quite a lot of debate – particularly for such a simple, low profile pen.



The MKII Slimfold, known as the ‘New’ Slimfold, is very similar to the Parker 45 introduced in 1960. There are two main differences between the pens: 1) the length – the Slimfold being shorter; and 2), the cap – the New Slimfold is screw-fit compared to the 45 push-fit cap.

The New Slimfolds were only manufactured for three years (1972–1975) so are relatively rare. It is not to be confused with the ‘transitional’ model previously available that had the new 45 style cap, but retained the rounded end body and open nib of the first generation Slimfold.

My 'New' Slimfold is of particular interest because it retains the chalk marks used during the introduction of decimalisation in the United Kingdom. The decimal coinage system was introduced on the 15 February 1971 – the start of an 18 month period when the previous system of pound, shilling and pence was phased out. The chalk marks show the price for this pen in both ‘old’ and ‘new’ money. It is for this reason the pen is dated as between 1971 and 1972.

Book plug

Last night I was having a sort through my bookshelves at home. Inevitably I got distracted and started looking through a few. The great David Shepherd books on the Parker "51" and Duofold, Lambrou's Fountains Pens of the World.... but, in amongst those was a gem I had forgotten - Miller's Pens and Writing Equipment: A Collector's Guide by Jim Marshall.

This was the first pen book I bought, and is great just to flick through and browse (though aren't they all?). It is a a great starter book for pen collectors, but even those with a longer standing interest in the subject will probably enjoy it too (and its cheap compared to most books on pens). It is not a particularly comprehensive study of pens, but is an interesting book as it covers a wide view across the whole subject from early dip pens, ink wells through to modern collectibles. 64 pages, complete with great pictures and less than a tenner.

Click here to purchase the book from Amazon

It all started with a trip down memory lane

When I was 10 or 11, my Grandparents gave me a fountain pen as a present. This was during my school days and sadly it was stolen a few months afterwards. I was heartbroken. Then a few years ago, I had a desire to replace it – a desire to connect with my late Grandfather – and so began my quest.

Parker 45 GT

Having searched the web and my memory I discovered the pen was a blue, gold-trimmed Parker 45. I can even remember, quite clearly, visiting Pen Corner in Hull to have a new nib fitted. I wanted a fine and not a medium. I have a feeling I'd dropped the original too and had bent it out of shape. My search started to find just such a pen and after seeing their site on the web, a visit to Penfriend in London

I didn't find the pen I wanted there, but discovered the world of fountain pens again. The Parker 51, Duofold and Vacumatic. Manufacturers such as Waterman, Pelikan and Mont Blanc. It was the 51 that really grabbed me, amazed by the smoothness of the nib, the beauty of the object and the joy of writing with such a pen.

But, the 51s they stocked were beyond my budget for a fledgling hobby. I didn't leave empty handed though. A bargain bucket, Parker Duofold AF from the 1940s left with me - my choice for an everyday writer.

The 51 kept coming back to haunt me though. A few days later a trip to Ebay performed the release, in the shape of a 1950, medium nibbed 51 for just £20. This was closely followed by a 1930s Vacumatic, an Eversharp Skyline, a Parker Slimfold .... and thus began my passion.

Numbers on nibs

A common question regarding older English Parker Duofolds is 'What do the numbers mean on the nibs?' Nib size designations (Post-war Duofold Aerometric range) The Aerometric Duofold was manufactured between 1953 and 1971.

• 5 – Slimfold
• 10 – Junior Duofold (Plus the Parker Victory V also uses this nib)
• (15 – Parker Victory)
• 25 – Demi and Standard-sized Duofold
• 35 – Duofold and Senior Duofold
• 50 – Maxima Duofold

N – This is a designation for the first pens manufactured at the Newhaven plant in the UK Some pens are marked with a single number as above. Others are marked with the number above, plus a second number signifying the year of manufacture. It is also worth noting that this isn't absolute an absolute guide to what pen you have though. Sometimes the nibs are swapped around, particularly when they were repaired. For example, I have two Standard sized Duofolds that are both fitted with Senior sized nibs. One of these isn't even an Aerometric!

And finally, the 14k and 585 show that the nib is gold.