Parker VIP

Strolling down the aisle of the local Brass Armadillo mall, I stopped so short I about smacked my head on the display case. A Parker VIP? Only an ad is pictured in my 2nd edition of Graham Hogg's Parker Ballpoint Pen book and there's no VIP page at parkerpens.net. It was sold as the Insignia with GF cap and barrel, the Custom with GF cap and plastic barrel, and the Special shown below. It's really a 51 Special (a 51 Special BP is a special find) with 61 trim. The pen barrel on the Special and the Custom is the same one used on the cap-activated Custom Jotter/21 Super - plastic threads, not the metal barrel collar typically found on 51 BP's. 14 years of collecting and I am stunned.



The inner box reverses for display. Don't know if there was another lid over the outer/lower box. Outer box is No. 292 for those who like boxes. Inner box, back of outer box, and directions dated 4/58 all have the arrow/halo. Pen and pencil lack arrow/halo. Inside of outer box is hand dated July 1, 1959.

Very cool Matt. I had no idea about these. What did you pay for it?

$18 plus tax. The pen is well used and the clip tassie is brassed, but I'm not complaining. All the parts are listed in the 1960 parts list Bill Acker made available a few years ago.

Edited by matt, 25 April 2012 - 08:53 PM.

Love to use your images!
/Tony

Tony, I have a set without the outer box, but in near mint condition -- will send along photos if you can use them.

The PCA Library's 1958 parts list for the export division lists this model as the Executive.

Can anyone tell me what is going on in this 1959 Parker Canada ad? The VIP set is shown in a white metal, but the set was made with polished steel caps/plastic barrel, GF caps/plastic barrel, and all GF (only the ball pen, I think). Ad copy nonsense or did Canada make a different model? Also wrong clip on the VIP set - should be 61s. VIP ads are hard to find!

Edited by matt, 13 December 2012 - 05:36 AM.

Answer to my question: Ernesto Soler believes the Canadian VIP in the above ad is the all sterling 51 ball pen and pencil set pictured on his caps pages. After all, Parker Canada, like Sheaffer Canada, did things their own way....

Set number 2. Box is incomplete and a bit tatty, but I don't think either was ever used. The surprise on this set is the arrow/halo on both caps. Not on the back side, but the the left of Parker. Set pictured in original post lacks arrow/halo.

Edited by matt, 08 May 2013 - 12:45 AM.

Took a few years, but here is a NOS VIP Custom pencil, recently purchased from an eBay seller in Janesville.  No arrow/halo.  Note the 51 Signet 3-line pattern.  The Custom Jotter was assembled from a 51 Signet pencil cap (the Signet Jotter, pencil, and Liquid Lead all use the same outer cap) and a 65 parts Jotter - you need a 61/65 ratchet mechanism because the barrel is shorter than a 51.

 

The pencil is an agglomeration of parts:  61 clip, 51 Special/21 mechanism with a gold plated tip, and a cap with the same pattern as the 51 Signet, but smaller in diameter than the cap activated pencil.

 

Edited by matt, 10 November 2021 - 09:23 PM.

Folks, 

 

had this pen for 5 years, but never worked out what it was!!! 
 

But after reading this post, could it be that I have a Parker VIP in some kind of green? 
 

it has male plastic threads on the barrel, a grey jewel on the cap ( not black as would have a Parker 51 Special), brass threads inside a polished stainless cap marked “Parker halo logo” to the left of “PARKER”, and “Made in USA” on reverse, and a P61 type clip (34 mm)

 

grateful if someone can confirm, and confirm the actual colour of the pen ( one picture shows ball point in between a P51 nassau green dj and P51 forest green sj fountain pens)

 

Also, does anyone know the range of colours the VIP came in? 
 

cheers paul

 

 

In 1959, the colors were black, charcoal, grey, red, deep blue, and green.

 

http://fountainpenbo...ter/#entry44269R

 

Compare your cap with a 51 pencil (or 61 fountain pen).  The VIP jewel is the same diameter as a 51 pencil/61 FP.  61 pencils and ball points have a more tapered cap and a smaller jewel.  The VIP actually uses a 61 fountain pen clip.

 

Based on your cap shape, I think you have a VIP.

Edited by matt, 27 January 2023 - 05:39 AM.

Many thanks Matt

 

yes indeed, the jewel on the VIP is the same diameter as that of my P61 Flighter fountain pen, and the clip is identical too

 

cheers paul