The citation to the Louisiana World’s Fair Gold Medal, awarded in November 1904, the presence of Falcon and #28 models, which appeared during the first half of 1905 and the «Click Filler» pens absence, introduced in the second half of that year, and No. 15, later of the same year, allow us to date faithfully this Catalog.
The Parker Pen Co. was never before 1904 exhibited in a World’s Fair, and its first appearance at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, where they installed a working pen manufacturing facility, the only live exhibition of its kind, was unanimously awarded the highest prize to which it was eligible, the Gold Medal.
In presenting this little booklet to you, no attempt has been made to excite the imagination by flowery description or elaborately printed catalogue. The only excuse for presenting a catalogue at all is to set forth, in a plain, simple way, the merits of the Parker “Lucky Curve” Fountain Pen. ‘This pen is not the oldest pen on the market by any means, yet today upwards of 3,000,000 people carry the Parker, and many thousands of dealers not only sell it, but corroborate our statement that the Parker is not merely good, but
Absolutely The “Best” Pen in The World.
Such vital and necessarily patented improvements as the famous “Lucky Curve” feed, the Anti-Break Cap, Spear Head Ink Retainer, etc., are some reasons for its great superiority, and without which we could not claim
Perfect Parker Pens.
To those who never owned a Fountain Pen the Parker is a delight, to those who have tried others it is perfection. First: Right in principle, then skillfully made to avoid the weak points found in other makes. Parker Pens seem to “go alone,” so smooth and easy is the movement,
We are making an honest pen—a pen we warrant. In fact, we issue an Accident Policy with each pen, which not only guarantees in writing each pen to be entirely satisfactory, but it insures against breakage for one year, cap, barrel, feeder, nozzle, and in fact, any part except the gold pen.
If you cannot purchase a Parker Pen in your city, do not purchase another make simply to please the dealer and to enable him to make a larger profit than he could make selling you a Parker, but in such a case, kindly order direct. Remember, in purchasing a Parker, you are buying a pen not merely for today or tomorrow, but one that will last many years, consequently you cannot afford to be annoyed by the use of an inferior pen when the Parker could have been purchased at the same price, or nearly so. May we ask, in event we have the pleasure of numbering you among the users of the Parker Pen, and you find we have given you better value than we promised, will you kindly speak a good word in its behalf to your friends? If you do, we will appreciate it and regard it as a personal favor.
Sincerely yours, The Parker Pen Company. Janesville, Wis., U. S.A,
Any Parker fountain pen from Nos. 18 to 28 inclusive, except No. 23½ furnished in either Black or Mottled Rubber.
1906 PARKER FOUNTAIN PEN CATALOG
In 1904 it had been a new improvement in the design of the Lucky Curve spearhead feed, adopting a silhouette and properties more similar to what we later would come to know as «Christmas Tree».
In the second half of 1904, begin to use the «Lucky Curve» banner imprint.
In late 1905, Parker offered for first time the no. 15. Price $ 7.00. It was manufactured with cap covered with gold filigree and name plate. Barrel fitted with beautiful variegated, or plain, Mother-of-Pearl slabs and gold bands.
No. 18 Screw Joint. No. 018 Jointless. Price $2.00. Has the famous «Lucky Curve» and the «Anti-Break» cap. Any pen from nos. 18 to 28 inclusive, except No. 23 ½ could be furnished in either Black or Mottled rubber.
No. 20 Screw Joint. No. 020 Jointless. Price, $2.50. Same as No. 18, except it has a size larger pen and holder. No. 20 made with smooth or threaded end where fingers grasp the fountain pen. Can be furnished in either black or mottled rubber. Supplied with fine, medium, coarse or stub pen as wanted.
No. 23 Screw Joint and no. 023 Jointless. Price, $3.00. Screw Joint. This number can be supplied when so desired with practically same sized barrel as No. 20, but the pen is a full size larger than the preceding. The larger pen affording, as it does, the different «feel,» will richly repay any one to purchase this pen if they are connoisseurs.
No. 23 ½. This new style makes it first appearance herewith. It is practically the No. 23 but with beautifully chased barrel and cap. It is particularly suitable for a lady’s pen and can be furnished in a smaller sized barrel than regular, if desired.
According to the Parker numbering system, the fraction «1/2» following the number indicated a chased rubber fountain pen.
No. 23 Hexagon. $Price 4.00. Furnished in black or mottled and manufactured in both styles, jointless or screw joint.
Parker Bull Dog Special No. 24 screw joint and no. 024 Jointless. Price $ 4.00. Can be supplied plain or with threatened grip, in black or mottled. This is a new thing in fountain pens. It is a vest pocket pen, that is for the lower vest pocket in which it is carried. It has the advantage of never getting lost, always at hand, and never in sight when carried. It has sold in large numbers in London, England, and seems destined to be a great seller in this country. The student, the businessman, as well as all military men who have seen it, are charmed with it. A favorite in many of the universities and recommended by college men everywhere.
Parker no. 25 screw joint and no. 025 Jointless. Price, $5.00. If you enjoy writing with a large fountain pen, you should own a no. 25. It will tell the story of what real luxury is possible to the afforded by a fountain pen. The entire pen is large, but you forget all about that, as the large, smooth, shining pen glides swiftly over the paper.
Parker no. 26 screw joint and no. 026 Jointless. Price, $6.00. Parker make but one pen larger no. 8. It tells the story of smooth, beautiful action of this comes only from the larger sizes. Can be equipped with fine, medium, coarse or stub.
Parker no. 28 screw joint and no. 028 Jointless. Price, $7.00. Appearance at this time, it is put out in response to a demand for «the largest pen you make. The barrel is not very much larger than no. 25, but the pen is no. 8.
Parker no. 31 Sterling Silver. Price $7.50. This a large size fountain pen covered with Sterling Sliver. Space on name plate on which to engrave your name. The richness and refined elegance represented in this pen is apparent.
Parker no. 32 Sterling Silver. Price, $5.00. This is somewhat like no. 14, but even richer. Name plate. For a lady, this pen is certainly ideal and at a medium price.
Novelties of 1906 were models #33, #34, #35, #37, and #38.
Parker no. 33. Gold. Price, $5.50. This pen is our leader for the new styles. It Is certainly the biggest value ever put into a pen retailing. Neat, tasty and a real beauty. Same design in Sterling Silver, No. 34, price $4. 50.
No. 35. Gold. Gentlemen’s and ladies’ sizes, Price $10.00. Barrel and cap entirely covered with heavy 18k plate which will last for a life time. A magnificent creation. A delicate beauty of the handwork. Surely, a finer present of this kind than this could hardly be devised. No. 36. Either size, in Sterling Silver. Price $ 8.00.
The Parkers Snakes. No. 37 Sterling Silver. Price, $8.00. This odd and fantastic design is of a snake’s body. The eyes are set with green stones. Certainly, a unique covering for a fountain pen. No. 38 Gold, price $10.00.
An Emblem pen intended to honor commemorations of prominent members of the society was also added to this year’s range.
In 1905 Parker patented their particular self-filling fountain pen under patent US791466A, which they began to market that same year.
SOURCES:
- Fountain Pen and Pencil. The Golden Age of Writing Instruments. G. Fischler & S. Schneider. Ed. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. 1990.
- Plumas Estilográficas. Jonathan Steinberg. Ed. Edimat Libros. 1998.
- Tsachi Mitsenmacher pens collection.
- Luiz Leite pens collection.
- L. Michael Fultz collection.
- 1896-1906 Parker Side Talks, the Parker´s dealer magazine.
- 800 Parker ads. Pre-Duofold.
- Parker patens US 512,319, US 606,231, US 653,818, and US 791466.
