The Beauty of Laminated Celluloid

[The Nid Hog]

I had a brief panic attack the other day when I couldn't find my Parker Vacumatic. It's a great pen and I write with it a lot. However, the thing that really drew me to it was the beauty of the material. The alternating layers of gold and translucent black are amazing. I love it when I hold it up to the light and I can see the dark shape of the ink inside, then my eyes catch the gold on the surface. So cool. The Parker 51 is a beautiful pen too--its aerodynamic simplicity reminds me of the hull of a submarine or the fuselage of a stylish prop driven plane. But that celluloid body of the Vacumatic? If I was Philip Marlowe, that's what I'd be slipping into my pocket after I signed a receipt for one of my high society clients.

Anyway, I found my pen later that day so I wasn't too upset. Even so, I wondered why nobody makes such a beautiful pen anymore. It can't be like the secret of the pyramids. In 2012, somebody should be able to crank out an amazing material that has the alternating layers of the Vacumatic. Or so I thought. Out of curiosity, I emailed Brian Gray, the guru of all things fountain pen. He said that there are a couple of imitators, but they haven't been able to capture it (I saw a pen like that at a show earlier this year and thought it looked clunky) and the real deal seems to be extinct.

What do you guys think? Any fans? Would you want to have a pen made out of that material today--even a contemporary pen? Anybody have one of the recent Omas pens that are made out of cool retro-looking celluloid? Does anybody have a couple hundred meters of celluloid laminate rods in their basement?

 

[Vlad]

The Visconti Wallstreet! They're made out of a special kind of celluloid, though: unobtanium. I've got a brown Vacumatic, too, and it is gorgeous.

 

[strop]

Love the Parker Vacumatic! It does seem strange that this is so hard to duplicate with modern technology.

 

[Slivovitz]

I don't know if it's the exact kind of celluloid that you're thinking of, but I find my Esterbrook Dollar Pen and a couple of the type Js very attractive. They used plainer plastics as well, but the marbled celluloids are as pretty as anything I've got. These were relatively cheap pens in their day, too, not absolutely the cheapest, but something that anyone who wanted a decent pen could afford.

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

I'm a fan of them, as my title (thanks to the mod who assigned it!) might suggest and the photo below confirms. : ) The only modern one that I've seen that is similar to the classic striped Parker vacumatic is the Visconti Wallstreet that Vlad mentioned. I saw it in person at a local shop and it doesn't catch my eye like the old Parkers. Maybe it is partly the large clip and the body shape on the Visconti, but I find the material on the old Parkers much more attractive ...

 

[SMG]

The issue is Celluloid itself. It is extremely flammable and even more so when it is curing. Most, if not all pen manufacturers do not want to burn down their material warehouses so it is just not a material that is in use anymore.

Celluloid is amazing stuff, when new the smell of camphor is so minty its unbelievable.

Vac celluloid was actually laid in sheets then welded together to produce the alternating color/clear sections. Then it was sawed into lengths and heated and wrapped around mandrels to make it into a barrel shape. The lamination edges are visible on some pens, its like a seam running down the barrel.

Cheers,
Sean

 

[beginish]

This thread and a little test drive with one inspired me, and a 1947 Blue Azure Pearl Vac with Fine nib is headed my way.

 

[Dave258]

View attachment 279228

Very nice!
I still need to find one for myself!

 

[nemo]

Here are some of mine. I have a real love for these, they are close to being the perfect American pen. Some say they look like the skyscrapers of Manhattan at night.

Nice to gaze into and let your mind drift during those boring meetings! Don't forget that vintage Pelikans used similar celluloid materials (nitrocellulose) in their 400 models, also quite stunning. The modern M400/600/800 "binde" is a different material (cellulose acetate) that's not as dangerous yet retains much of the decorative beauty.

Anyone care to guess the brand of pen horizontal at the top?

 

[Vlad]

Here are some of mine. I have a real love for these, they are close to being the perfect American pen. Some say they look like the skyscrapers of Manhattan at night.

Nice to gaze into and let your mind drift during those boring meetings! Don't forget that vintage Pelikans used similar celluloid materials (nitrocellulose) in their 400 models, also quite stunning. The modern M400/600/800 "binde" is a different material (cellulose acetate) that's not as dangerous yet retains much of the decorative beauty.

Anyone care to guess the brand of pen horizontal at the top?

Can't remember hearing of Parker "fakes" or look-alikes. I'm going to guess an early version before the arrow clip.

 

[Legion]

Aww, they look great. Now I really want one. I'm guessing they go for a pretty penny.

 

[drathgeb]

View attachment 279228

Wonderful collection. I really like the one that is third from left.

 

[Dave258]

I really like the blueish ones! What is the acceptable going rate? I checked the bay, prices are all over the place, and you don't even know what you are really getting.

 

[beginish]

I really like the blueish ones! What is the acceptable going rate? I checked the bay, prices are all over the place, and you don't even know what you are really getting.

The one that I just won went for $71 at auction, and I was told by an expert here that I did well. Of course this one had been restored, was functional and in very good cosmetic shape.

 

[InfernoOrangeSS]

Is there anything a newbie to them should look out for before buying to ensure we get an authentic vacumatic Parker?

 

[Vlad]

Is there anything a newbie to them should look out for before buying to ensure we get an authentic vacumatic Parker?

I doubt there are fakes, and if there are, it's not going to be the problem we see with modern MontBlanc pens. Condition is the biggest issue with Vacumatics. It's best to buy from a collector you trust, or straight from a respected restorer.

 

[Mike H]

Doug, is that a Cha Ringu?

edit - no, your pen looks vintage, I don't know, but I love the vacumatics.

 

[nemo]

Rare German Osmia button filler (made in the late 30s during the Parker-Osmia years)

Doug, is that a Cha Ringu?

edit - no, your pen looks vintage, I don't know, but I love the vacumatics.

 

[Dave258]

The one that I just won went for $71 at auction, and I was told by an expert here that I did well. Of course this one had been restored, was functional and in very good cosmetic shape.

I was trying to bid on one. I put in two bids and was quickly up over $100... What is the max you guys think it should be on a nice, restored one?

 

[nemo]

I'd say $125 max for a great condition, working 3rd generation Major (single jewel model, 5" long capped) or $40-75 unrestored. Candidate should show no cracks or bulges, good imprints, minimal brassing on cap band and clip. Oversized, double jewels, and Maxima pens push it well out of the $200 range. Demi pens (4.75") are less money.