Odd Parker Date code - YCS

[proteus]

I have a question about a particular Parker date code please.

Am aware of the oddities on the latter pens – Vectors et al

My question is old but was never answered on the net.

The code is YCS ( 1986 ), there are also an ES ( 1988 )

There appears to be at least 4 Early ( Mk II – 1979 -1991 ) Meru, France Parker 75 ‘s Silver plated Milleraies / Grain d’orge with Rolled Gold trim.

Can someone please take a quess at what the suffix S means.

To my knowledge Parker has never used a suffix on any other Parker 75's.

If you actually know, I am all ears.

Thank you

[Yorvik Pens]

Hi,
I can only presume logically that the S suffix stands for Silver plated, given that the pen shown below has a G suffix and is Gold plated.


46208



The S suffix is also present on the Silver plated version of this pen.


46209


Hope this helps
Paul.

[proteus]

Many thanks for your reply and photography, Paul.

Please can you confirm that your silver pen is the one in the photograph below.
It has a gold plated trim with a dished tassie.

I have assumed that the gold plated pen is the same just a different finish.

Would be very interested to see the nib & section of the silver pen if you can photograph that please.

[proteus]

A photograph of your gold plated pen ?

[Yorvik Pens]

Yes, your picture looks to be the same as the pen I showed.
The trim is gold plated and the tassies are dished.

I believe the pattern on the gold plated version was named Insignia II



46215



46216


Are you aware of a Parker 75 made from aluminium, finished in black lacquer?
Paul.

[proteus]

Paul, what great photography, many thanks.

Have alot to say but would wish to do it in one reply please.

Your photography is of the P75 silver plated YCS ?

Please can you photograph the YCG pen.

Yes I am aware of two types of Aluminium 75's - Both are French Grid - one was silver plated, the other bare Aluminium. ( Both early are prototypes - have attached photography of one of them )

If you actually have one or two of these pens please post some photography.

Neither of the two pens that you have mentioned are Insignia's - not Mk I or II ( it is a completely different pattern )

nb - Have attached an example of a First Year MERU P75 lower shell and nib ( there is a chinese character printed on the screw section of the LS )

[proteus]

Did not wish to do reply this way.

Given that no one else has commented,
I offer some thoughts.

Initially I thought that the S meant Sample / Specimen.

All that when out of the window when I was made aware of a G suffix.

As there is so little known about early Meru production pens I am going to say that they were all ‘ Market Test pens ‘ ( working prototypes given to trusted pen users for their comments )

Have a good look at the printed fonts YC then look at the S or G , they were made by another hand.
The font is very slight larger, the space is not the same either.

As for the silver grid pen shown by yorik pens.

It is impressive.

There is a small question of the lower shell ( nib section ) which is obviously Arrow Park ( Janesville, USA )

All French P75 had gold plated rings on the lower shells – of which there are only 3 different production types known. ( there a number of prototypes )

Would wish to hear from others here please.

nb - Am very aware of all the Parker 75 Grid patterns made at Janesville ( attached photography of one )

[Yorvik Pens]

Paul, what great photography, many thanks.
Thank you.

Have alot to say but would wish to do it in one reply please.

Your photography is of the P75 silver plated YCS ?
Yes.

Please can you photograph the YCG pen.
I do not own the YCG pen, however, here is a shot showing the section (same section as the gold plate grid you show).

46256


Yes I am aware of two types of Aluminium 75's - Both are French Grid - one was silver plated, the other bare Aluminium. ( Both early are prototypes - have attached photography of one of them )
The Aluminium 75 I own is smooth, covered with a Black coating of some kind (lacquer or epoxy (not matt)).

If you actually have one or two of these pens please post some photography.
Picture of the Black Aluminium 75

46257


Neither of the two pens that you have mentioned are Insignia's - not Mk I or II ( it is a completely different pattern )
Do you have a picture of the P75 Insignia pattern?? (Mk I or II)?
Lih tah's P75 site references it as Insignia II. Can you verify the official Parker name for this pattern??

nb - Have attached an example of a First Year MERU P75 lower shell and nib ( there is a chinese character printed on the screw section of the LS )
The Black Aluminium pen I have has this section, the character printed on mine looks like a G.

46258

[proteus]

Today I drove along way to speak and see a collection of Parker 75's.

It is easily the best collection in the world.

Never seen a red or blue nib LS / nib sections before ( both, of course, prototypes – Janesville USA )



Arrived back later today and looked at your reply.

Am very over awed by your replies / photography

Lih-Tah Wong site is about 8 – 10 years out of date.

The pattern is called ‘ French Grid ‘

Possibly need some time to take this all in.

These pens have never been seen before – anywhere.


Wish to speak to some other collectors I know before I comment further

[proteus]

From what I have learnt of the last few days............

The grid pattern on your P75's is a take on the P61/65 Consort pattern.

The Black pen is another level.

No one that I have shown your photography to has never seen these 3 pens before.

If you wish sell any of them you have to use the private message system here.

[Chrissy]

If you wish sell any of them you have to use the private message system here.


That's not strictly correct. He can use the For Sale forum in the Classifieds section. :)

[suri]

The letter suffix in a Parker date code typically indicates the quarter of the year in which the pen was manufactured. However, without more information or context, it is difficult to determine the exact meaning of the "S" suffix in the YCS and ES codes you mentioned.
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