Photo Credit: jay-pens
1960s Sterling Silver Parker 75 Flat Top Fountain Pen
Buy It Now Price: $285 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)
Pros:
-This is an outstanding example of a vintage sterling silver Parker 75 flat top fountain pen and mechanical pencil set with gold-filled trim.
-The Parker 75 was created in response to the widespread adoption of cheaper ballpoint pens by the public in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Some fountain pen makers tried to compete against the new ballpoint invaders on price, by going down-market. But margins were low and this strategy was not very successful for the fountain pen industry.
-The head of the Parker Pen Company at the time, Kenneth Parker, decided he needed to move up-market to save his company. This up-market strategy worked and the famous Parker 75, with its iconic sterling silver grid-pattern barrel, was born. The Parker 75 was immensely popular with the public and was produced in many different varieties over 30 years, from 1964 to 1994.
-The Parker 75 is one of the most collectible vintage fountain pens in existence and high quality specimens are always in strong demand among pen connoisseurs.
-Upon its introduction in 1964, the Parker 75 flat top fountain pen originally retailed for $25, which is equivalent to $198 in 2017 when adjusted for inflation. Later, in 1968, the price was raised to $30, or $210 today in inflation-adjusted terms.
-The moniker “flat top” refers to the end of the pen cap, where there is a flat, unadorned surface. The Parker 75 flat top is an early, desirable variety that was produced from 1964 until around 1970 (or possibly 1971). After 1970, the end of the cap was modified to a raised outer ring with an indented center. This was done to easily accommodate corporate logos or emblems.
-This vintage Parker 75 flat top pen and pencil set was made in the U.S. By the late 1980s, all Parker 75 production had been moved to France.
-This Parker 75 flat top fountain pen has a solid 14 karat gold nib with a “fine” size. Solid karat gold is a premium material used in high quality nibs because of its superior writing characteristics.
-I love the original case that this Parker 75 fountain pen and pencil set comes in. The heavily textured navy blue and olive green striped fabric exudes classic 1960s styling.
-Many Parker 75s that survive today were well-loved and well-used. Therefore, they tend to have brassing on the gold-plated/gold-filled trim and dings or dents on the sterling silver barrel. But this set is nearly pristine.
-It is my opinion that vintage fountain pen and mechanical pencil sets are very investable. A lot of collectors are interested in fountain pens, but the community is only slowly warming up to the charms of mechanical pencils. As a result, it is still possible to buy some pretty phenomenal old fountain pen and mechanical pencil sets between $100 and $500.
Cons:
-At first when I found this set on eBay, I thought to myself, “This is a great Parker 75 flat top set, but the price is just too high.” Then, after doing some research and looking around at comparable pieces online I completely changed my mind. The $285 asking price is absolutely fair for an early Parker 75 fountain pen and mechanical pencil set in superb condition in its original case. You would end up paying around $200 for a vintage Parker 75 flat top fountain pen by itself, with no original case or mechanical pencil.
-If you are looking for a pen and pencil set to use on a daily basis, I would steer clear of this one. Its condition is simply too good to mar through regular use. You would be better off buying a cheaper, more imperfect Parker 75 if you want an everyday fountain pen.
