Parker 51

The Parker 51 fountain pen is a true piece of history, yet it is still very much alive in 2021. 80 years after its introduction, “The World’s Most Wanted Pen” makes its comeback on the market.

In 1941, the Parker 51 revolutionized the world of fountain pens with its elegant and clever design, including an innovative filling mechanism and fully hooded gold nib. The ‘51’ originally marked the pen manufacturer’s 51st anniversary, and in turn the new generation of 51’s mark the pen’s 80th birthday.

Learn more about the characteristics and history of this iconic and highly collectable pen and find out whether the new Parker 51 2021 model deserves the same level of appreciation and admiration.

History of the Parker 51, “The World’s Most Wanted Pen”

Work on the Parker 51 fountain pen started in 1939. The pen owes its name to the 51st anniversary of the company in that same year. However, it wasn’t until 1941 that the pen would make its debut on the market.

The Parker 51 followed in the illustrious footsteps of top-sellers such as the Parker Duofold and the Vacumatic. The 51, however, would soon surpass the success of its predecessors, with more than 20 million copies sold in over 30 years, making it the most widely used fountain pen in the world. 

Parker decided to break with tradition with the Parker 51 by giving it a number as a name. This was deemed more practical, as a number wouldn’t distract from the company’s name, and as 51 means the same in every language, so it didn’t need to be translated for the international market.

Production of the original Parker 51 lasted from 1939 up to 1987, introducing various new editions and colours throughout the years. Because of its popularity among pen retailers, Parker boldly marketed the 51 as “The World’s Most Wanted Pen”.

The Parker 51’s groundbreaking and functional design

In a poll by the Illinois Institute of Technology, the Parker 51 fountain pen was voted the fourth best designed industrial product of the 20th century. Its designers Marlin S. Baker and Kenneth S. Parker came up with a groundbreaking design, which set the pen apart from its contemporaries and oozes style and quality.

The Parker 51’s cap was made of brass and came with a distinctive arrow design. Its elegant body was made of Lucite, a durable plastic, able to withstand a substantial amount of pressure, as it was intended to be a workhorse, not just a decoration piece. Still, with its elegant design and bold colours, it adds class wherever it goes.

Revolutionary hooded nib

At the time of the Parker 51’s introduction, many fountain pen users struggled with the issue of ink drying on the nib rather than on the paper. Parker came up with a solution for its new model: a hooded (covered) nib, which prevents the ink from drying too fast when uncapped and saves its users from getting stains on their fingers. In addition, Parker invented a formula for quick drying ink, called Quink.

Today, the hooded nib is still an iconic feature. Not only does it ensure a smooth and secure ink flow, but it also attributes to the pen’s streamlined design. Instead of being a statement piece in its own right (as is often the case for high-end fountain pens), the nib is an integral part of the Parker 51, with a focus on performance over extravagance. A somewhat similar hooded nib can also be found in the more recent LAMY 2000 fountain pen.

Original Parker 51 versions

The Parker 51 production line features many different versions. These versions vary in their filling system, design or certain distinct elements.

• Parker 51 “First Year”. The first model sold in 1940 and 1941. It often (though not always) brandished double jewels, decorative aluminum elements on the cap and at the end of the barrel. A blue diamond on the clip is another distinctive feature.
• Parker 51 Vacumatic filler. From 1942 to 1947, this version was very similar to the first pens. It had a vacumatic filling system, which uses a rubber sac and a concealed push button, and the same blue diamond on the clip. Individual models have a dating system, with a single-digit to indicate the year and dots for the Quarter it was made in (three dots for the first and zero dots for the 4th Quarter).
• Parker 51 Aerometric filler. In 1948 the vacumatic system made way for the new Aerometric filling system, which uses a sac made of Pli-glass, a pressure bar, and a fully removable barrel for a long-lasting performance. The blue diamond didn’t return, having been replaced by a plain arrow clip.

Parker 51 Jotter. With the introduction of the successful Parker Jotter ballpoint pen, the company decided to make a ballpoint pen for the 51 as well, aptly named the Parker 51 Jotter. Produced from 1954 to 1969 and available in the same colors as the fountain pen, the Jotter came with either a gold-filled cap or one made of Lustraloy (stainless steel).

The next generation: Parker 51 2021

Decades after production ended, 2021 saw the re-introduction of a timeless classic. Pen lovers can now get their hands on a newly made Parker 51 instead of looking for a vintage item. The new generation has the same elements that made it unique back in the 1940s while adding some modern features to make it fit better in the 2020’s.

The 2021 version of the Parker 51 is expertly assembled by hand. Its body is produced from durable and precious resin. A Palladium or Gold plated cap jewel is a definite eye-catcher and an example of its class and attention to detail. The cap itself is now screwed on to ensure it is tight and secure. Furthermore, the clip is longer than the original and the same size as the Parker Sonnet, making it extra safe to carry with you.

Writing systems

Of course, the new Parker 51 pens are available as fountain pens, but in addition to this, there is now the Parker 51 ballpoint pen. The ballpoint combines the style and performance of the 51 with the accessibility of this writing system.

Fountain pen filling system

The modern Parker 51 fountain pen uses cartridges or a converter system to fill, as opposed to the Vacumatic or Aerometric filling system of the original models.

Nib size and material

The original Parker 51 nib was tube-shaped. For the newer model however, the manufacturer has chosen a more traditional pen blade. The nib is available in two different sizes, Fine or Medium. The nib material varies depending on the version—it is either made of stainless steel (regular version) or 18kt gold (Deluxe edition).

Parker 51 2021 colors

Very much like the original, the new Parker 51 pen is available in six bold colors. The two Deluxe editions combine the luxurious colors with a gold-colored cap.

• Teal Blue
• Burgundy
• Midnight Blue
• Black
• Deluxe Black
• Deluxe Plum

Obtain a piece of living history with the new Parker 51

The next generation of the Parker 51 is a faithful re-imagination of one of the ultimate classics. It features the defining elements of the original while updating other elements to add a welcome level of modern comfort. The 2021 model now makes it a lot easier and more affordable to obtain a piece of pen history for yourself.

Browse our collection of Parker 51 pens to find your new pen. Please contact us with any questions or visit one of our stores.