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.

Vintage fountain pen prices on ebay

This article was first published in the Summer of 2006....so the prices reflect that time. But I've not seen any dramatic changes since then.

The price of vintage, English Parker Duofolds – May 2006




For a little bit of fun, I've been analysing the sales of vintage pens on ebay. All of the completed sales are analysed and databased according to pen type and what I think the overall condition of the pen is. I only include the sales of sinngle pens, and don't include sets in my database.

Note, these prices are a guide only and you shouldn't put too much faith in them....


Grading
The grading applied varies by pen. Some are easier to grade than others. For example, the condition of a "51" is easier to establish due to having a metal cap which shows how well the pen has been cared for, compared to say a Parker Duofold.

The grade might not be how the actual pen is in reality, but this is how the pen looked in the photographs and the descriptions (not that I've been led by sales hype quotes of 'Near mint, excellent etc'). I feel this is how the purchaser will assess the pen, so is a reasonable way of grading for these purposes.

Duofold gradings
Its a bit harder to tell the condition of a Parker Duofold for sale just from photographs. So, for these prices I've used just three grade levels:

Poor – Damaged, chipped, burnt or heavily scratched examples.
Good – Reasonable examples falling into the ok to good level.
Excellent – Clean and bright, excellent and mint examples.

Average prices of Duofold Aerometric by size

• Junior: Poor £8 Good £14 Excellent £15
  
• Demi: Poor £13 Good £20 Excellent £40
  
• Standard: Poor £12 Good £20 Excellent £60
  
• Senior: Poor ** Good £28 Excellent £80
  
• Maxima: Poor £17 Good £56 Excellent £69
  
  * This table shows average prices only
  ** Not enough sales to get an average price
  

Average prices of Duofold by filler type
(Standard size Duofolds only)

• NS (Marble): Poor £43 Good £49 Excellent £97
  
• NS (New style): Poor £22 Good £27 Excellent £88
  
• AF (Aluminium): Poor £23 Good £27 Excellent £52
  
• Aerometric: Poor £12 Good £20 Excellent £60
  

The New Style Duofold is the earliest version of the English manufactured Duofolds. It has a blind cap with a tassie and a brass 'button' filling mechanism.

NS (Marble) represents the marble coloured varieties of the New Style Duofold. These are extremely collectable, and are quite rare. Consequently, even examples without a nib can fetch good prices - as long as the body and cap are in good condition.