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What is it? If it weren’t for the paper label on the bottom, a collector might have no inkling that it was made by Parker Pen or how it was to be used. Since any Duofold pen or pencil can be used with a taper, any Duofold is a nearly instant desk pen or desk pencil.
The “Pen Parker” was one of Parker Pens innovations to add value to the Duofold line and increase sales during the great Depression. The idea was simple, offer a machined metal stepped Art Deco styled desk pen base with a special spring loaded loop to let the pen cap be used as the vase. The cost to Parker seems to have been minimal.
In 1932, Parker pen advertised it as “Comes without charge”. The ad copy read: “We are giving a million of these Penparker foutain pens, at no charge, with Guaranteed for Life Parker Duofold pens purchased promptly, at $10, $7, or only $5.” The advertisement which accompanies this story shows a special box with a miniature bottle of ink and also a desk pencil. The fancy box and the ink were free with the set; “a $2 value’ said Parker. But the desk pencil was an extra $2.75 or $3.25 depending on size.
Parker Pens "Penparkers" come in three different sizes to accommodate the Duofold Senior, Junior and Juniorette sized pens. (A Juniorette is a Lady’s sized pen but fitted with a pocket clip rather than a ribbon ring.) However Penparkers fit only the later, streamlined Duofolds, not the earlier straight sided models. The sets containing the Penparker fountain pen came with any color pen, even those ‘new’ colors introduced in 1932 -- Burgundy and Black and Sea Green Black and Pearl fountain pens.
Parker Pens "Penparkers" are relatively scarce and the size fitting the Senior Duofold is especially so. Expect to pay $50 for either of the smaller sizes but at least $100 for the largest one.
One final curiosity, the drawing of the gentleman taking a pen from his pocket in the ad bears a significant resemblance to Kenneth Parker, who was in charge of Parker Pens advertising among other things in 1932. It is uncertain who might have thought up the Penparker fountain pen but the Design Patent for the Streamlined Duofold was granted to Kenneth Parker.
Written by L. Michael Fultz, Editorial Director, Penbid.com ©2000 by Penbid.com, Inc.
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