Thursday, October 27, 2016

Parker 75 Guirlande from Thailand Bangkok

Parker 75 Guirlande

The Parker 75 Guirlande has a guilloche weave like pattern. According to Mr. Lih Tah Wong, Guirlande is French for "garland" and this is a rare pattern that was not known to exist in the Parker 75 family until a discovery in 1999, even though this pattern can be found for the Parker 35 and 180 models. Since then several of these have surfaced. It is possible that this was not a full production pattern that was sold by Parker, being instead a test market pattern with limited distribution.

As mentioned earlier, I was lucky to be able to find this in NOS conditions end 2014, when I first arrived in Bangkok, during one of my weekend vintage pen hunting. It even comes with an original old box.

Parker 75 Crosshatch grid, (Ciselé ), 1964 - 1993 from Thailand Bangkok

Parker 75 Crosshatch grid, aka as Ciselé, 1964 - 1993

This must be one of the most recognizable and iconic Parker 75 with its cross-hatch square grid made design of vertical and horizontal engraved lines, equally spaced to form 3,330 tiny squares. For me, this is the value for money fountain pen where one can own a solid sterling silver (mixture of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper) pen at a reasonable costs. It was marked "Sterling silver" or "925" on cap band.

Interesting to see the prices escalates as times goes by:

1964: FP - $25

1970: FP - $25; BP - $15; PCL - $15

1972: FP - $25

1977: FP - $50; FT - $30; BP - $22.50; PCL - $22.50

qty 12-49 FP - $45.45; FT - 27.27; BP - 20.45

1978: Same qty 1 prices as in 1977

1979: FP - $60; BP - $30; PCL - $30

1989: FP - $150; BP - $100

1990: FP - $150; BP - $100; no RB or Mechanical Pencil offered

1993: FP - $155; BP - $105

Source: www.parker75.com

Parker 75 Ecossais, 1971 - ? from Thailand Bangkok

Parker 75 Ecossais, 1971 - ?

The Parker 75 has a crosshatch grid but without regular grid spacing design, with silver plating over brass.

Vintage Fountain Pen shop Bangkok

After staying two years in Thailand, there is not much entertainment for me except my visits to the Jatujak weekend market and my visit to the vintage pen shop in Bangkok at Fortune town.

Inside the shop you can see these lovely pens:

The prices varies according to conditions and depending on one's skills in picking the best buy! Do your homework and it will be a nice treasure hunt experience...

PARKER 75 Lapis Lazuli LAQUE fountain pen 1979-1983

The Parker 75 Laque fountain pen in the Lapis Lazuli hand lacquered finish, one of the Chinese lacquer inspired series produced at the Meru factory in France in the late 1970s and 1980s. This is the most sought after Pen within the Laque series. It comes with an 18k nib.

Lacquer pens series consist of:

· Woodgrain
· Tortoiseshell
· Jasper red quartz
· Lapis Lazuli
· Thuya brown
· Malachite green
· Burgundy
· Grey
· Black

You will note from the photo below the ridged area between the nib and the barrel that was designed to increase the writer’s grip. The advantage of the Parker “75” nib unit is that the nib collar will rotate if wished to move the nib to an alternative angle to suit your writing style

Vintage Parker Box

Vintage Boxes

These vintage boxes have very luxurious feel....

Parker 75 from Thailand Bangkok

Parker 75 gathering

Parker Grain d'Orge, 1971 - 1978? from Bangkok Thailand

Parker 75 Grain d'Orge, 1971 - ?

This Parker 75 Grain d'Orge has Barleycorn pattern.

Parker 75 Flammé, 1968 -1978? from Thailand Bangkok

Parker 75 Flammé, 1968-78?

There are two versions of Parker 75 Flamme, one Silverplate and another goldplate over brassshort. This is a silver plated one with pattern that are staggered, repeating lines making a flame-like appearance.

Parker 75 Insignia, 1965 - 1978

The 14K goldfilled over brass Parker 75 Insignia has a cross-hatch square grid made of vertical and horizontal lightly engraved lines, equally spaced to form square patterns.This is an early version with 14kGF.

Parker 75 Imperial, 1973 - 1978

As there are many variations in Parker 75, I have decided to elaborate the details. This is a 22K gold electroplate over brass Parker 75 Imperial where the patterns consist of alternating groups of blank space and five closely spaced lines.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Exhibition at Bangkok Siam Paragon

My vintage Montblanc were used for the exhibition in Siam Paragon Thailand.

Monday, October 17, 2016

USSR Fountain pens

USSR Fountain pens

Being a former history and political Science students, the former USSR has been a mystery and charm.

Sunday, July 03, 2016

Montblanc snake safety circa 1920s

I was very lucky to find this Montblanc snake safety circa 1920s when I was working in Taiwan in 2001. It was during one of the weekend where i visited the Jade market in Taiwan and saw this pen on the floor. One of the great find!

Saturday, June 04, 2016

Montblanc 32s (1961-66)

Montblanc 32 S made 1961-1966. Piston filler

One of the first Montblanc models made out of black and red resin. The model 32 marked the start of the new Montblanc era in the early 60's, unlike the previous classic torpedo form factors, these pens were modern, elongated, with sharp edges, reliable and with focus on functionality and appeal.

The pen is also one of the first with specifically enclosed wing nib, suspended over an ebonite feed and enclosed in a special tube, making it leak proof and airplane safe. The Precious Resin, the signature Montblanc material gives the pen a unique shine and gloss but also protection as it is hard to scratch or damage. The pen has a very reliable with a constant and even ink flow. The nib is flexible and smooth, thus with a gentle push while writing it will write up to M medium size and produce variety of styles. It is also semi hooded nib, which give is protection. The piston is smooth and takes a considerable amount of ink. Perfectly balanced pen, with superb feel in the hand. Beautiful blue ink window under the tread, and the signature Montblanc star located on both turning knob and cap.

A perfect Montblanc pen, reliable, amazing build quality and timeless design.