Parker (2)

Brief History Of Parker Pen

The Parker Pen Company is a manufacturer of luxury pens and was founded in 1888 by George Safford Parker in Janesville, Wisconsin, United States.   In 2011, the Parker factory at Newhaven, East Sussex, England (United Kingdom) was closed, and its production transferred to Saint-Herblain, France.

George Safford Parker, the founder, had previously been a sales agent for the John Holland Gold Pen Company. He received his first fountain pen related patent in 1889.  In 1894 Parker received a patent on his “Lucky Curve” feed, which was claimed to draw excess ink back into the pen body when the pen was not in use. The Lucky Curve feed was used in various forms until 1928.

In 1931, Parker created Quink (quick drying ink), which eliminated the need for blotting.   Quink ink is probably one of the most iconic inks ever made which is still well remembered by many of this generation.

Some of the most renown collection made by Parker include the flagship Duofold, Sonnet, Parker 51, 61s and the Parker 75s.  Then around the 1965s, Parker introduced some of their most spectacular Parker Limited Edition Pens ever like the Parker Spanish Treasure Fleet,  the Parker 75 Queen Elizabeth Limited Edition Pens etc.

On the 100th Anniversary of Parker Pen Company, a larger size of Parker Duofold Pen called the Parker Centennial Duofold was created to celebrate the event.  Today, these Centennial Duofold are not easy to find, especially the specially made Centennial Duofold Nibs.

Other Special collection made by Parker include the Japanese Maki-e collection which are visably different from the Japanese made version.