Parker Vacumatic?
- Thread starter tubaguy
- Start date
Well and arm and a leg really depends on how much your willing to spend. Some people will spend $400 on a pen and think that its a good deal. I personally think that is a lot to spend on a pen. These http://www.vintagepens.com/catill_Parker_Vacumatics.shtml seem to go for anything from $200 to $1000 so really it depends on what you think is an arm and leg. They are expensive pens so your going to pay a premium for them, its like buying a Bentley your just not going to find one cheap and if you do it will probably cost you hundreds to fix it up. I've seen some go on e-bay for $90 but they need restoring and then how much is that going to cost?
Good luck on the hunt I hope that you find one as they are fantastic pens!
Good luck on the hunt I hope that you find one as they are fantastic pens!
Most pen "dealers" charge a hefty price for a good Vac, especially the laminated celluloid ones. I was able to pick one up off da'bay for under $100, but it does not have the proper jewel on the cap. Good apart from that, though.
If you want a restored Parker 51 vac, they can be had for ~$100 without too much searching, and will be a great every day pen.
If you want a restored Parker 51 vac, they can be had for ~$100 without too much searching, and will be a great every day pen.
I love my 51 it was my grandfathers and it is a fantastic pen it is also very sleek and may suit a female hand slightly better than a vacumatic
I've got two Vacumatic 51s, and one of the older exposed nib Vacumatics. Esthetically, I prefer the old celluloid visible nib type, but they're all great writers.
As other people have asked, "what's an arm and a leg" for you? Consider that unless you're certain that an eBay seller has properly restored a Vacumatic, you're looking at at least another $20 to have someone restore it. Or you could look at the sticky thread on this forum for how to do the job yourself. You'd have to buy at least one special tool, so unless you're planning to do more than one it might not be worth it.
One of my 51s was purchased from an eBay seller who did a good job of restoring it, but many eBay sellers leave the restoration up to you. My other vacumatics were bought from a couple of online dealers in used pens, Peyton Street pens and Richard Binder. Richard Binder doesn't sell so many any more, except for his "monthly tray", which is not really the best way to shop for a bargain, or even to make a well thought-out purchase. There are other dealers who sell restored pens, but I have no experience with them.
You could try putting a WTB notice on the BST.
As other people have asked, "what's an arm and a leg" for you? Consider that unless you're certain that an eBay seller has properly restored a Vacumatic, you're looking at at least another $20 to have someone restore it. Or you could look at the sticky thread on this forum for how to do the job yourself. You'd have to buy at least one special tool, so unless you're planning to do more than one it might not be worth it.
One of my 51s was purchased from an eBay seller who did a good job of restoring it, but many eBay sellers leave the restoration up to you. My other vacumatics were bought from a couple of online dealers in used pens, Peyton Street pens and Richard Binder. Richard Binder doesn't sell so many any more, except for his "monthly tray", which is not really the best way to shop for a bargain, or even to make a well thought-out purchase. There are other dealers who sell restored pens, but I have no experience with them.
You could try putting a WTB notice on the BST.
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After watching and bidding on Vacumatics for some months (and getting consistently outbid), I won one (my first Vac) from the 'bay just a few days ago. The descriptions says it sucks up water, so I'm hopeful it works. Here's the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Parker-Vintage-Vacumatic-Fountain-Pen-Jewel-Top-Blue-Diamond-Works-NR-/380551398447?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&nma=true&si=hdag2zvZF0y02vUDbbYUBlhLuk4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
The last two auctions I didn't win sold for $42. I had my maximum bid set at $40 and it went for $36.50. So, as others have said, "What's an arm and a leg" for you? I've restored a pen that was my maternal grandfather's that sat in various drawers for more than 50 years. I've tore down a couple vintage Esterbrooks and replaced both sacs and j-bars. If figure if this Parker doesn't work, it'll be a good experience trying to repair one of those as well.
The last two auctions I didn't win sold for $42. I had my maximum bid set at $40 and it went for $36.50. So, as others have said, "What's an arm and a leg" for you? I've restored a pen that was my maternal grandfather's that sat in various drawers for more than 50 years. I've tore down a couple vintage Esterbrooks and replaced both sacs and j-bars. If figure if this Parker doesn't work, it'll be a good experience trying to repair one of those as well.
That looks like a nice pen. I'm looking forward to seeing how it works out when you receive it. Congrats on a good deal.
Hmm.. It sucked up water...
Please, don't trust it. That diaphragm is rubber and sixty years old. It will need a service.
The good news is you got it for a great price. You should be able to have it serviced, own a great pen, and still not have spent too much.
I made this mistake once. A nice 51 vac that sucked up water. Even held ink. I used it for a week before I suddenly had ink everywhere. Fortunetely,everywhere was the pen and my hands, not my shirt!
Wow. Thanks for mentioning that. I have a couple old 51 vacs that I'll have restored prior to use now.
-Andy
I'm actually using that same pen today!
I have two of those I need to have restored. They are my favorite to look at.
All this 51 talk made me ink up great-grandad's 51. I haven't used that pen in 4 or 5 years. I had it restored then set it aside. I couldn't appreciate the way it wrote for some reason, but I really enjoyed using it today.
-Andy
With apologies to the OP, I'll try to get this back on topic.
All my vintage pens, including the vacs have come from antique stores. You have to be patient, and willing to pass on ones in rough shape, or ones that the owner is very proud of, but they are still out there.
All my vintage pens, including the vacs have come from antique stores. You have to be patient, and willing to pass on ones in rough shape, or ones that the owner is very proud of, but they are still out there.
Same here. Sorry for helping derail the thread. Antique stores, auctions, estate sales, and garage sales are great for finding vintage pens to which people don't attach much value. It can take up a lot of time, though, and you will likely end up with a pen that needs some work. That said, I've seen some folks on B&B post up some screaming deals they've run across at antique malls and such.
When you shell out for a laminated celluloid Vac, you're paying for the pen, the restoration work, and the time someone spent finding it in the first place.
Good luck with your search!
-Andy
When you shell out for a laminated celluloid Vac, you're paying for the pen, the restoration work, and the time someone spent finding it in the first place.
Good luck with your search!
-Andy
- Thread starter
- #16
Maybe I'll get one for her down the road when in a better situation, financially. I was hoping that I'd be able to find a great one for $50ish, but that's not gonna happen, from the sounds of it!
I just got one back, and I'll try to post a pic this weekend. I've got less than $50 total into it, BUT I had to find it first in an antique mall, send it out for repair ( I haven't tackled a vac yet, but will soon),etc. I usually wait and send several at a time to save shipping costs. So you can get one for $50, just not immediately.
The classified section of Fountain Pen Network is a good place to look. A number of well regarded restorers offer pens for sale there. I have purchased several and have never been disappointed.
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/
Good luck,
jim
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/
Good luck,
jim
- Thread starter
- #19
Found one at a deal that I liked; and it came from the years I like most as well!
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=121052345218
I'm going to send it off for restoration; $15 more to have it restored than the tool, and there's no guarantees I'd get it right.
Now, who's the best one to send it to?
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=121052345218
I'm going to send it off for restoration; $15 more to have it restored than the tool, and there's no guarantees I'd get it right.
Now, who's the best one to send it to?
I just got a Parker Vac Jr. back from Danny Fudge. Quick turnaround, and it writes like a dream.
