Cupid must have shot me with a Parker arrow because I have been in love with Parker pens for a long time.  Last evening, I was reminiscing with my aunt about a Parker 51 fountain pen she had; one that I drooled every time I saw.  It was black and silver. As a kid, I used to wait until she was not around and open her chest of drawers, the second drawer, just to glanced at the pen, and if I was particularly adventurous that day, I would quickly take it out, and admired it, for as long as I could.  Yes, I sat down on the floor, at eye level with that second drawer, and took long whiffs at the Parker 51.  My aunt did not remember the pen, that is, until I gave her details on what else was in that drawer – I was five years old at the time.  I don’t own the model because I am trying to find one just like the one my aunt had, and the ones I have seen are above my price range, or in bad shape.  But I continue the quest to find the love of my life – the mint Parker 51 at an affordable price that many other souls covet as well.

My love affair with writing instruments has been since I can remember.  My mother tells me stories of how I used to steal my Dad’s pens when he came to visit me.  The scar under my chin was made by me playing with a pen when I was a toddler (one that I took without permission) and falling, this causing the pen to deeply cut the area under my chin.  A future writer was branded that day, I guess.

Parker has made writing instruments for a long time.  Today, I want to celebrate a website that is a true labor of love, and a rich source of information for Parker pens lovers.  The website is ParkerCollector.com and you can get there by clicking the link.  It is an amazing website created by a Parker collector, Tony Fischier.  You will find the history of almost every Parker pen, amazing pictures, and information about the company as well, and other awesome bits of information.  If you are a Parker lover, this site will be paradise.  You will love this website for sure; I encourage you to visit this amazing site.

My love for writing instruments go beyond pens, it stretches to vintage office equipment as well, but that is another post. I will leave you with pictures of my old dip pens collection (although these are not Parker), including one which I think is from the early 1900’s – also known as a pearl desk holder, made by H.B. Smith Pen Company.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Photo by Maria Diaz

Photo by Maria Diaz

Photo by Maria Diaz

This is a vintage Parker set, known as Jotter Pardner Set – the closest to my memory of the Parker 51 in looks, although this is a ballpoint pen and mechanical pencil set.

Jotter Pardner Set – Vintage Parker
Photo by Maria Diaz

Happy Watercolors Friday!