1946/2002 Parker 51 Vacumatic Fountain Pen - EMPIRE CAP

Vintage: 1946 (pen), 2002 (cap)

Make: Parker

Model: 51 Vacumatic 

Color: Black

Materials: Lucite, 23k Gold Vermeil Sterling cap

Filling System: Vacumatic filler (fully restored with a new diaphragm and gauranteed to fill and write as designed). To fill simply unscrew the blind cap, submerse the nib, and depress the plunger until the barrel is full.

Length: This full-sized model measures 5 3/8" capped.

Nib: Vintage 14k 51 nib lays down a smooth and consistent XF/F line.

Condition: Cap and trim has no dents, dings, brassing, or other notable blemishes aside from a couple tiny (1mm) scratches on the gold masked areas. Lucite has a smooth and lustrous surface with no deep scratches or other notable blemishes – scarcely even any microscratches. Manufacturer imprint and date code on barrel of FP is factory deep and fully legible. 

Details: All parts of this pen aside from the cap and clutch ring are 1946 vintage. The Empire cap is from the modern 51 LE: a special edition of 5000 pens Parker introduced in 2002 with the guarantee that no more would ever be produced. Unfortunately, the barrels and hoods of these pens were not made to the same quality standards as vintage 51s and were notoriously prone to cracks. The pen this cap belonged to came to me with a cracked barrel and hood. I’m reluctant to offer pens that are too fragile to be used and it’s a shame that Parker would cut corners in manufacture to commemorate the 51. Luckily, the modern caps fit vintage 51 Vacs, the clutch ring transferred over from the 51 LE holding the cap securely to the barrel. So I’m offering this vintage-modern marriage as the best of both worlds: the quality/durability and greater ink capacity of a vintage 51 Vac with the beauty of a modern Empire cap. This vermeil cap is a (thankfully high-quality) reproduction of one of the most attractive and sought-after vintage 51 caps, reputedly inspired by the shape of the Empire State Building. It’s constructed from solid Sterling Silver with a 23k gold mask that foregrounds the Empire State building motif to spectacular effect. Pearlescent cap jewel and 23k clip with the classic blue diamond.