Did I just inherit value or junk?

Hey all,

BRAND new to this forum and although I love fountain pens and calligraphy, I've never taken an active interest aside from just writing in my diary. My watch habit has me over on watch forums most of the time which leaves little room for much else.

Anyway, my mother in law just gifted me with two vintage fountain pens that she's apparently found in her 90+ mother's desk. They both appear in excellent condition aside from the case. My question here is what, exactly, did I just get and is it valuable? To be clear, this is NOT because I want to sell them. I just like knowing the value of my things as it adds to my appreciation.

So, here they are. I'm by no means knowledgeable - just writing as I see it.

NOREX pen. Piston filler. 14k gold cap and nib.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a3af5d3813.jpg


Parker 61 Capillary system - gold cap and nib.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c2f5d448e2.jpg

More pictures below.

Your expertise is appreciated!! (Please excuse the bandaid on my thumb - sliced it wiiiiide open trying to stupidly unscrew the Parker)https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...277c349712.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a5c5bc36d1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0583d1777c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9787b73082.jpg

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http://www.fototime.com/88BF344D8F3192D/orig.gif

You have two nice fountain pens there but not a fortune. NOREX was a German brand IIRC. The Parker "61"s were an attempt to make a clean filling pen.

Hello and welcome to FPGeeks. :welcome:

I've not heard of Norex pens, but Parker 61's are reasonably popular. I never liked the capillary filling system though. Too hard to change ink colour. Eventually Parker scrapped it and adapted it to use a converter. :)

Well I'm glad to hear that! I'm currently watching videos on how in the dickens to clean and fill them. Thinking I might have to go to a pen shop for guidance since I don't want to mess them up. The Norex looks to have a slightly damaged nib as it's slightly "scissored" with one side up and one down a mm apart. Hoping that's fixable...

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Originally Posted by jblair814

Well I'm glad to hear that! I'm currently watching videos on how in the dickens to clean and fill them. Thinking I might have to go to a pen shop for guidance since I don't want to mess them up. The Norex looks to have a slightly damaged nib as it's slightly "scissored" with one side up and one down a mm apart. Hoping that's fixable...

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In order to clean that capillary converter you will probably need to flush water through it many times. Parker used to sell a special rubber bulb that would do the job. Nowadays you could probably use an ear bulb with the point cut off so that it fits snugly onto the top of the capillary tube. The filler doesn't come off of the section. Here is a quick You Tube video

Brilliant! Thanks for the link. I'm actually cautiously optimistic because judging by the white fluffy colour of the opening at the back, I don't think it's ever been used. May not need to clean it!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by jblair814

Well I'm glad to hear that! I'm currently watching videos on how in the dickens to clean and fill them. Thinking I might have to go to a pen shop for guidance since I don't want to mess them up. The Norex looks to have a slightly damaged nib as it's slightly "scissored" with one side up and one down a mm apart. Hoping that's fixable...

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Parker is definitely of value. Can always replace the nib on the Norex with something better.
Looks like a Vac filler.......[emoji106]
Decent pens and I would not turn them down.
Use safe ink in older pens.....[emoji457]


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So what exactly would safe ink be? Is Waterman acceptable?

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Almost any ink will be fine, but many would recommend easier to clean inks. Waterman is OK

If you can see white tufts in the back of the capillary filler on the 61, it’s never been used. Congrats. Waterman and Pelikan inks are the safest.

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Originally Posted by BrianMcQueen

If you can see white tufts in the back of the capillary filler on the 61, it’s never been used. Congrats. Waterman and Pelikan inks are the safest.

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Parker might disagree with you on that one ;) Especially for their 61 capillary filler.

How so? Filled it up with Waterman two days ago and it's been writing like a dream!

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Most Diamine inks are good too. In general, dye-based inks are safer than pigment-based. Pigments (particulate stuff) can clog pens. Also iron gall inks can be a problem. I'd avoid both pigment and IG inks until you learn more about them. Richard Binder's site has good information on the subject.

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Originally Posted by jblair814

So what exactly would safe ink be? Is Waterman acceptable?

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Waterman, sheaffer skrip,parker quink, pelikan


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Always remember: the price is not the value with pens or anything else otherwise.

Waterman/Parker/Pelikan/Sheaffer Inks are the old standard inks
Never fail

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jblair814

How so? Filled it up with Waterman two days ago and it's been writing like a dream!

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That Norex is really beautiful! Classy!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chrissy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BrianMcQueen

If you can see white tufts in the back of the capillary filler on the 61, it’s never been used. Congrats. Waterman and Pelikan inks are the safest.

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Parker might disagree with you on that one ;) Especially for their 61 capillary filler.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by jblair814

How so? Filled it up with Waterman two days ago and it's been writing like a dream!

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I suspect Chrissy meant that Parker would disagree that a list of safest inks doesn't include Parker. They would have designed the pen to work with their own inks.

Still, most modern inks aren't going to cause you any issues. Just watch out for dye inks and iron gall inks as has been mentioned. They might cause clogs in the capillary system. Otherwise, enjoy them. They look really nice.

Essentially, avoid Noodlers, Private Reserve, and “boutique” inks. Try not to use orange inks. They can clog it up really badly. Stick with inks from companies who also make pens.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Scooby921

Just watch out for dye inks and iron gall inks as has been mentioned. They might cause clogs in the capillary system. Otherwise, enjoy them. They look really nice.

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I think you meant to say “...PIGMENTED inks and iron gall inks...”


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