The Parker 51 is one of the most celebrated fountain pens ever made -- and one of the best-selling pens in history. Here is the story behind it.
Origins
The Parker 51 was first introduced in 1941, though its development was completed in 1939 -- Parker's 51st anniversary year, which gave the pen its name. The numbering was also chosen with international marketing in mind: "51" translates easily into any language, making it ideal for a pen that was to be sold worldwide.
The design was unlike anything that had come before. A hooded nib -- almost entirely concealed within the barrel -- gave the pen a sleek, aerodynamic profile. The barrel itself was made from Lucite, a tough acrylic material designed to resist the cracks and scratches that plagued earlier pens. Parker marketed it as the "World's Most Wanted Pen", a claim made all the more compelling by restricted wartime production that kept supply well below demand.
The Ink
A specially formulated ink was released alongside the pen, designed specifically for use in the Parker 51. It dried exceptionally fast and was highly waterproof -- a significant advance at the time. The hooded nib design required this faster-drying formula, as the ink was exposed to less air than in a conventional open-nib pen.
Early Production
The first production pens from 1941 were available in four colours -- black, cedar blue, dove grey, and cordovan brown -- adorned with aluminium jewels. These early examples are now rare and sought after by collectors. In 1942 the aluminium jewels were replaced by pearlised plastic.
The pens were expensive relative to their competitors. Some buyers were known to purchase the caps alone to display in their shirt pockets -- a mark of status even without the pen beneath.
Notable Users
Queen Elizabeth II owned and wrote with a burgundy Parker 51 from the 1950s onwards, granting Parker a Royal Warrant in 1962. Other notable users include Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and President Eisenhower.
Key Dates
- 1939 -- Development completed; pen named to mark Parker's 51st anniversary
- 1941 -- First production pens released
- 1972 -- Original Parker 51 ceases production
- 2002 -- Parker 51 Special Edition released
- 2004 -- Parker 100 released, a larger interpretation of the original 51
- 2021 -- The Parker 51 Reimagined released, with a screw cap and modern ink system
Shop the Parker 51
Browse the Parker 51 range at Pure Pens, including the current Reimagined models. For a full overview of everything Parker makes, see our Parker Brand Guide.