Am I asking too much?

[DickBrowne]

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat
My mum wants to buy me a present
Please help her with that!

Sorry, that was terrible, but illustrative of my current dilema

I love Christmas, just not the bit where people as me what I want. I never know.

My mum and I are currently playing this game, so I thought I’d ask about a pen, but which one?

I’d like a Parker 51 in either teal blue or blue green, so it’s actually quite easy this year, until I introduce the spectre of budget.

Normally, my dear old parent spends £50 on a gift, but I’m struggling on the usual auction sites to get a nice one under that price.

Does anybody know of a good place in the UK to buy a pen matching my requirements for that budget?

Thank you

Richard

[KBeezie]

I don't know about for a Parker 51 (and know less about the UK market, especially in regards to vintage market, otherwise I'd be like CultPens).

But if budget is of a concern and if you don't mind cartridge/converter methods of filling, A Parker 45 with 14k gold nib would easily fall in that budget.

[junglejim]

Dick-- You might want to email Deb over at Goodwriter's Pens. She usually has pens she's working on that hasn't been put up on her sales site. I think she's in the Highlands of Scotland.

linky: http://www.goodwriterssales.com/pens...2e240fpd7d8ii2

All the Best.

[Chrissy]

I think it's possible to get a decent Parker 51 for under £50 on ebay, but not sure whether you will find one anywhere else in the UK for that sort of price. Maybe you will have to add something towards it?

Good luck with your search.

[KBeezie]

If shipping/customs wasn't such a gamble in the UK, you could definitely get something around that price from a US seller (where the 51 variants are more commonly found)

[stub]

51 Specials are sometimes found at that price range. The differences are
1. The hoop filler instead of the standard aerometric, which (imo) is absolutely minor. A couple of friends of mine say that they actually prefer the hoop filler.

2. Some specials have steel nibs but some have gold. They were supposed to come with steel but it seems sometimes
when all Parker had on hand were the regular gold 51 nibs they often supplied those so the occasional gold nib special does pop up but the steel nibs are very nice.

3. Shiny cap instead of frosted.

I have had a couple Specials that were excellent. One that I deeply regret selling.

[Chrissy]

I have a Parker 51 that isn't a Special, it has the regular 51 aeromatic filler, and the frosted cap, but it has an Octanium nib. Someone must have replaced a gold nib with the current nib during it's lifetime. I know I could replace the nib with a gold one for a really low price, but I've just never bothered. I never use the pen, despite having removed the shell and given it a service.

I would probably sell that for £50. However, it's burgundy. Not one of Dick's colour choices.

[amk]

You could always ask your mum to *help* you buy a P51. It won't be a surprise of course... but then if you're playing that game of "tell me what you want, what you really, really want" it's not going to be a surprise anyway.

One of my family sent me 50 euros "to put towards something you really like". I bought a lovely Bexley anniversary pen with it and showed her the pictures, and she was thrilled. It's bright lemon yellow with blue swirls, not a boring pen by any means, and actually, because she's an artist who adores bright colours, it reminds me of her.

[Chrissy]

You could always ask your mum to *help* you buy a P51. It won't be a surprise of course... but then if you're playing that game of "tell me what you want, what you really, really want" it's not going to be a surprise anyway.

One of my family sent me 50 euros "to put towards something you really like". I bought a lovely Bexley anniversary pen with it and showed her the pictures, and she was thrilled. It's bright lemon yellow with blue swirls, not a boring pen by any means, and actually, because she's an artist who adores bright colours, it reminds me of her.

Brilliant idea.

[migo984]

Would you consider the smaller 51 Demi? Not your preferred colours but have a grey or black, both with gold fine nibs. Both vac fillers. Lovely unmarked condition. Either would be wiithin your budget.

Send me a private message if interested.

[pajaro]

51 with "SPECIAL" on the filler, gold nib, frosted cap and gray cap jewel is a 51 Standard, probably later production. I have had a few of them and was told they are Standards and not Specials. Most people seem to think they are Specials, as I did, and you might get them cheaper.

[DickBrowne]

Thank you for the responses, all appreciated - apologies for taking. While to respond. I’m on holiday with my family, floating on the Stratford canal, just North of Stratford on Acon. Lovely, if a little cold and damp.

Milo, thank you for your offer - unfortunately the midi may be too short for me to use comfortably, as a “large” chap.

Chrissy, would you please be able to PM me some pictures of your pen? Burgundy is definitely on the wish list, so I may execute plan B. Not that there’s even a plan A.

I’m currently researching 45’s, they could be an option.

Oh, and I’ve spent far too long on the Good Writes web site. Some stuff may have been ordered

Thank you once more, one and all.

[Chrissy]

As it happens I took some pictures as I thought it could go on ebay the next time they send me a listing offer, but it can go on here first.

[DickBrowne]

Thank you for al, of the suggestions everybody - Chrissy and I have agreed a deal and I am delighted.

What a great forum!