Pen Profiles:
Vacumatics, Vacuum Fillers; also Vacumatic nomenclature, instructions
13104: Parker Vacumatic: rare vest-pocket model, black with gold filled trim, 11 cm long, opaque barrel, unique short section, lockdown filler. Barrel imprint is later with 1st quarter 1940 date code, compatible 2nd quarter 1939 date code on nib, indicating later assembly of much earlier parts -- a known practice at Parker, periodically done to reduce excess stocks of spare parts.
DATE: 1932/1940 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: fine • $525
14033: Parker Vacuum Filler: scarce proto-Vacumatic, rare stub model only 10.8 cm long, silver pearl laminate, one-piece section and barrel construction, early two-tone Arrow nib with single central line between feathers on imprint. Barrel imprint worn but mostly legible, two cap lip hairlines have been professionally repaired, not easily seen (see details); sac has been removed to preserve color.
DATE: c. 1932 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: extra-fine • $450
12964: Parker Vacuum Filler: rare black proto-Vacumatic with "reverse trim" (chrome, rather than the standard gold filled) and Dupont imprint on cap, 12.25 cm long; one-piece section and barrel assembly, later single-tone Arrow nib, posting mark on barrel, nice clean barrel imprint.
DATE: c. 1933 • CONDITION: VG* • NIB: fine • $495
15285: Parker Vacumatic tool: unusual bench-mounted clamp for oversize Vac filler units; not usable as is since shaft threads partially stripped, could easily be restored or washers added so fresh threads engage. Base mount is 1 3/4 inches (4.4 cm) wide. Formerly used at Penfriend of London.
DATE: c. 1935 • CONDITION: G* • $165
14297: Parker Vacumatic Junior pencil: grey pearl and black marbled, 11.9 cm long, chrome plated trim; good imprint with 2nd quarter date code, one area of brownish staining on barrel, uses 1.1 mm lead.
DATE: 1936 • CONDITION: fine • $80
16170: Parker Vacumatic pencil: full-size Deluxe green pearl laminate, 12.7 cm long, gold filled trim, striped jewel, strong imprint with 4th quarter date code; uses 1.1 mm lead.
DATE: 1936 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $120
15264: Parker Vacumatic Slender Maxima set in box: silver pearl laminate, 13.3 cm long, nickel plated trim, Blue Diamond clip, striped jewels and section; both pen and matching Non-Stop repeater pencil have extra-wide bands with matching monograms. Pencil uses 1.1 mm lead, has strong imprint with 2nd quarter 1939 date code, pen date code worn away but by features of close production date. Pen was serviced at some time during WW2, as its notably smooth and flexible two-tone Arrow nib is for a Major and has a 2nd quarter 1941 date code, while the filler unit is an all-plastic war-era replacement -- rarely seen in this larger size, as wartime production did not give priority to replacement parts for older models. Scarce and desirable streamline box has some warpage, though much less than typical.
DATE: c. 1939 • CONDITION: fine-exc* • NIB: fine flex • $695
15330: Parker Vacumatic desk base: rare double holder, glass with a layer of green pearl laminated celluloid, base measures 7 x 3 inches (17.5 x 7.5 cm), Art Deco classic offered only for a short time, with very few surviving examples. Original decal in front and labels on bottom, slight separation of bonding of celluloid and glass visible when viewed at certain angles, as shown in details.
DATE: c. 1939 • CONDITION: fine • $450
16117: Parker Imperial Vacumatic pencil: golden pearl laminate, 13.3 cm long, 1/10 14K gold filled cap with alternating pairs of straight and squiggly lines pattern, rectangular cartouche, barrel imprint strong with 3rd quarter date code, uses .9 mm lead. Name engraved, front of barrel has increased transparency.
DATE: 1940 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $105
13225: Parker Imperial Debutante Vacumatic: black laminate double-jewel, 12.2 cm long, 1/10 14K gold filled cap with alternating pairs of straight and wiggly lines, Blue Diamond clip. Good barrel imprint with 2nd quarter date code, good barrel transparency, arrow nib is a slightly later replacement, with date code for 1945; Speedline filler unit, cap has initials engraved in cartouche, slight surface waviness above from dent removal.
DATE: 1940 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine • $595
14952: Parker Vacumatic Major pencil: silver pearl laminate, 12.85 cm long, nickel plated trim, good imprint with 4th quarter date code, overall condition fine+ but for deep circumferential scratches below barrel band (see details, not so obtrusive due to the direction of the pattern). Uses .9 mm lead.
DATE: 1941 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • $50
15343: Parker Duofold Senior pencil: red and silver pearl with black stripes, 13.1 cm long, gold filled over silver wartime trim, matches Vac-filling Duofold pen; largest size, strong imprint with 1st quarter date code, uses .9 mm lead, mechanism propels but does not consistently retract lead.
DATE: 1944 • CONDITION: fine* • $95
16115: Parker Imperial Vacumatic: full size golden pearl laminate with gold filled cap in fine parallel lines pattern with geometric band, 13.5 cm long, made in Canada, distinctive clip with high-mount Blue Diamond; big two-tone Arrow nib, matching date codes on nib and barrel.
DATE: 1944 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: medium fine • $795
14956: Parker Vacumatic Major pencil: silver pearl laminate, 12.9 cm long, wartime trim is sterling silver, some nickel or chrome plating still present but mostly worn away, especially on barrel band; good imprint with 4th quarter date code, uses .9 mm lead.
DATE: 1945 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $95
12966: Parker Vacumatic Debutante: silver pearl laminate with wide "jeweler's" cap band, 12 cm long, chrome plated trim, bold imprint with original silver infill but lacking date code, perfect transparency, appears to be new old stock, never filled (we have replaced the diaphragm), pristine. This pen came to us without a nib; we have installed a correct new old stock nib.
DATE: c. 1946 • CONDITION: near mint • NIB: extra-fine • $265
15323: Parker Vacumatic Sub-Debutante pencil: brown pearl laminate, 11.9 cm long, single smooth gold filled barrel band, black jewel, good imprint with 4th quarter date code, uses .9 mm lead, original stickers but has been used, some increase in transparency (see details).
DATE: 1947 • CONDITION: exc • $75
15551: Parker Vacumatic Major pencil: blue pearl laminate, 13.1 cm long, gold filled trim, made in Canada, strong imprint without date code, excellent color, no brassing, uses .9 mm lead.
DATE: c. 1948 • CONDITION: exc-near mint • $105