Today I have 1 Parker 51 Double Pen Desk Set 100% restored and ready for your ink. Made in the mid 1950 for Parker by Haeger Pottery. This is the first of 5 different pieces by Haeger for Parker in this line. On average I only see 2 or 3 of these a year, so while not rare by any stretch of the word, I think uncommon or less frequently encountered will work to describe this one.
13 1/2" long, x 3 3/8" wide x 3 7/8" tall (not counting the pens). the base is a creamy ivory color with a soft yellow planter w/ a dark brown circle motif. The base uses the 'Magnetix' swivel system. The trumpets are part of a 'ball magnet' system and will position themselves any way you like. The pens have the later generation hoop style aerometric fillers (the same as found on Demi 51's & the 21 models).
The nibs are both 14K semiflex. One generous medium and one broad. Both are on the moist side of things 5.5-6/10. Both are super smooth and write like a dream. The ONLY issue with this piece is the base has a couple of minor (and repairable) chips. All 4 corners have a minor flake and one corner of the planter does as well & thats it. These can be repaired with any of the dozens of ceramic repair products out there. Overall I give this set a 7.5/10 The pens get a 8.75-9/10. Seriously, the ONLY problem is the small chips.
1st of 5 ROYAL HAEGER ceramic desk sets listed in Parker 1959 Desk Set Catalog. This one was available in two colors, Ivory (#404140) and Yellow (#404144); the latter is what this is. The base is Ivory in both models. Like Parker's typical desk pen, these are a variant of the 51 Special, though not marked as such. Both pens in this set have NOS hoods that I purchased from David Nishimura and installed
I'm going to apologize in advance for the lousy pics. It's just way too big to get under my light set up the right way.
I have it up in ebay with a $110 buy it now or best offer. How about $85 plus shipping for my friends at TFPC.
This is a pretty heavy chunk of pottery so shipping is a bit more this time. $10 domestic, $20 international.
Thanks Dennis
-- Edited by DWL at 04:57, 2008-07-30
-- Edited by DWL at 21:45, 2008-08-05
-- Edited by DWL at 09:35, 2008-09-04
-- Edited by DWL at 09:36, 2008-09-04
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