A Parker VP fountain pen in rage red with gold filled cap and medium nib, made in the USA c1962.
The Parker VP was designed by Don Dorman, Parker’s chief designer, for Kenneth Parker to put into a pen a number of ideas he had nurtured, namely to have a nib which could easily adjust to left and right handers and different ways of holding a pen. And a filling system which did not require the pen to be dipped into the ink, a bit like a simpler version of the Sheaffer Snorkel.
The pen was launched in 1962 but was only in production for 2 years, withdrawn in 1964 and hence is quite uncommon, particularly one in good condition. It was price positioned between the 51 and the 45.
The then unique features of the VP are what make it interesting. The nib is easy to change, simply unscrewed, and the angle of the nib changed by simply turning in the section with a simple nib guide engraved on the section. This was carried over to the Parker 75.
The filler was based on the aerometric with a clear sac and a short plastic ink view window but instead of inserting the nib in the ink the filler is pulled out of the section to reveal a long tube which is inserted in the ink. The filler – converter-like – is then pushed back into the section. The problem is that the long filler feed tube tended to get snapped and lots of replacement parts were needed.
Using the VP now it is advisable to leave the filler in the section and dip the nib in the ink.
CONDITION: cosmetically and functionally excellent, the pen has only minor signs of use, the nib gauge is clear and the filler works well and has a clear sac and ink window.
PRICE: £160 … plus postage:
POSTAGE:
USA tracked airmail: £16
Asia, Australia, NZ & Canada tracked airmail: £15
Europe tracked airmail: £13
UK Special Delivery: £7.55
PAYMENT: PayPal please to: barrie51@icloud.com
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