1938 Parker Vacumatic Silver Pearl Lockdown *SOLD* ($240 US)
THIS PEN HAS BEEN SOLD!
Hello there. Welcome to Inkcquiring Minds. I am Doug, back with another Pen Resurrection Sunday video. Today, two pens await restoration on the slab, while one remains active and writing. These represent the three generations of the Parker Vacumatic.
Parker developed the Vacumatic filling system and pen in 1932, releasing the lockdown filler from 1933 to 1937. Between 1937 and 1938, they shifted to the Speed Line filler, shown here as a second-generation example. During 1941–42, at the start of the Second World War for the US, they reduced metal and brass components and introduced a plastic pump in the third generation.
This third-generation Parker Vacumatic in azure blue pearl carries a 14-karat gold custom ground stub nib; I replaced the original celluloid pump with a modern brass one. It serves as my everyday carry vintage fountain pen, always on my desk, full of ink, and in use. However, I have two silver pearl Vacumatics from the first and second generations that need restoration, and I will begin with the first.
Although I appreciate my azure blue pearl model, I consider the first generation—the lockdown filler from 1933 to 1937—the finest of the three. They featured the Joseph Platt-designed Parker Arrow clip, which has remained with Parker; the brand still uses that Arrow in its logo. The lockdown filler works like this: remove the blind cap, twist the mechanism so it pops out, dip the pen in ink, pump a few times, then lock it by twisting and turning before replacing the blind cap.
The first-generation Vacumatics matched stacked celluloid with end jewels. This model pairs black with jewels, suggesting a later first-generation or replacement, and it matches the section to the celluloid, while later versions use black ebonite sections and finials. Here is the large, two-toned gold and palladium trim; the palladium plating is wearing, revealing gold throughout, so polishing may remove it. The black ebonite feed is present. This second generation was called the speed line; instead of pushing the aluminum and brass pump inward to lock, they extended the blind cap so it pumps outward. This 1940 pen has silver trim and the Art Deco split arrow blue diamond clip, which indicated a lifetime warranty from Parker.
Today we will examine this 1937 Parker Vacumatic first-generation lockdown filler in silver pearl and silver trim. Let us look at the pen and determine what it needs to return to the land of the living and writing.
So, what do I think about this fountain pen revival? This one presented a few surprises. I must admit I spent an entire day polishing the pen, repairing the vacuum pump, and ensuring everything functioned properly except the nib, which I left until this morning. Overnight, I imagined the nib would behave like the 1945 Parker Vacumatic that snapped on me—an event about five years ago. I feared that adjusting such a fragile nib would cause it to break, and indeed it snapped. Before that occurred, I avoided mentioning this feeling on camera to avoid tempting fate, yet the thought alone seemed to do so. Once again, I believed I had ruined another pen. I then used my reliable toenail clippers, knowing many viewers winced the last time I tried that. They had said, “Oh my god, you did what to a 14-karat gold nib.” Yet it worked beautifully, and the nib now writes quite well.
This is an intriguing, quirky first-generation vacuumatic lockdown that cannot quite settle on its identity: silver hardware on top and bottom, a formerly two-tone nib that is now gold with gold cap rings, a silver cap and blind cap, and a gold body and section. It remains unclear whether it is silver or gold—silver and gold, silver and gold—which I find rather cool. I then wrestled with how to price this pen for sale and whether to sell it at all.
I reviewed an eBay listing that closed in September, I believe. That pen, a similar first-generation lockdown vacuumatic in silver pearl, was entirely silver pearl from top to bottom, including the section and finials, with a flawless two-tone nib described as fully restored. It sold for $416 US. If you examine this photo closely, you will notice the blind cap here differs in length from the one I hold. That component is a speed line filler. Perhaps they used a speed line filler from 1938, which aligns with the 1937 start of speed lines, though they installed a lockdown filler instead. Still, it is a beautiful, fully restored top-to-bottom silver pearl Parker vacuumatic lockdown with a fine nib.
I realized this is not a pure pen either. It lacks the top and bottom striped jewels expected in the first generation. It does retain a fully functioning, attractive lockdown filler. The original two-tone nib is gone; instead, the nib has been cut into a modern stub without tipping material, yet it is completely restored. It writes a smooth, wet, thick line. I suspect someone might truly value this fountain pen, and I certainly do.
I will price it at $240 US because it is so distinctive. If it does not sell at that amount, I will keep it myself. I enjoy this pen greatly; it even posts well. Tell me what you think of this resurrection. Was I right to cut the nib after it broke? Is this a Franken pen? Does it break restoration rules because it differs from the 1937 factory form? My view is that the pen should be used; if it were a museum piece, the flaws would make it less of a collector’s item. Yet for how it writes—smooth, wet, and interesting, drawing character from the nib—I believe it is a desirable fountain pen.
If you are interested in buying this pen, please send an email to inquiringminds@gmail.com with your name, address, and YouTube username so I can apply the correct discount for members. Members receive 10% off, while patron-level members at $5 a month receive 20% off this pen. That covers the basics. If you enjoy this video, please like and subscribe, and remember to ring the bell for instant alerts when new content appears. You can join my channel for just 99 cents a month. I promise to reply to your comments in the comments section. You will receive fun emojis, badges, sneak peek unboxing videos, and immediate access to my videos as soon as I post them. Basic members get 10% off, and patron-level members get 20% off pen resurrection purchases. Finally, I thank you for watching.
And that's all she wrote.
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