Parker · 1941–1948 · Vacumatic
Vacumatic filler, 1941 to 1948
Parker finished developing the 51 in 1939, its 51st year in business, and put it on sale in the U.S. in 1941. Plenty of collectors still call it the best fountain pen ever built. The small gold nib sits hooded inside a Lucite shell, and the metal cap slips on and seats on a clutch ring. Every U.S. 51 made until 1948 fills with Parker's Vacumatic pump, which hides under a blind cap at the end of the barrel. A 1944 pen is a wartime one. Most have a plain blind cap, because Parker saved brass and aluminum for the war effort, and the double-jewel version with a jeweled blind cap became the scarcer premium model. From 1943 Parker also stamped the year on the nib. Collectors chase colors like Nassau Green and Cordovan Brown and fancy gold or silver caps. It's the 51 for someone who wants the original filler and doesn't mind a pen that may need a new diaphragm.
The rubber diaphragm inside the Vacumatic filler is the part that ages, and a pen that won't draw ink usually needs a new one. Colors varied from lot to lot and some have shifted with age, so hood, barrel and blind cap can disagree, and parts do get swapped between pens.
Buying guide
Our pick is the Dove Grey 51 titled restored at $189 delivered, near the top of the band but with the filler work done. There are 35 for sale, and most complete pens ask $100–210 delivered, with restored pens at the top and a double-jewel Cordovan at $441. An unrestored Vacumatic usually needs a new diaphragm before it fills, so price that in and ask the seller to photograph what's under the blind cap. Skip the $1,009 Yellowstone Mustard pen, which asks about $800 over the band.
$50.50est. delivered
The cheapest complete 51 Vacumatic at about $51 delivered, titled very good and in good working order. It ships from the UK and had a day left at capture, so we'd stop around $100 delivered, the bottom of the band, in case it still needs a diaphragm.
Vintage 1940's Parker 51 Vacumatic Black GF Cap GP Trim VGC GWO
$188.65est. delivered
Titled restored, in Dove Grey, for $189 delivered, inside the $100–210 band. A restored Vac saves you the diaphragm job, so ask what was replaced and when.
VTG 1947 Parker 51 Vacumatic Dove Grey Restored
$203.00est. delivered
A black 51 with a stainless cap, titled restored and outstanding, at $203 delivered. Ask for a fill test or a writing sample before you buy.
Parker 51 Vacumatic Filler Black Barrel Stainless Cap Outstanding Pen Restored
$59.08est. delivered
Titled restored, a 1946 Blue Cedar pen at about $59 delivered with 5 bids and six days left at capture. It will climb, and we'd stop around $190 delivered, where restored pens ask here.
VINTAGE 1946 BLUE CEDAR PARKER “51” VACUMATIC FOUNTAIN PEN -- RESTORED
$440.93est. delivered
A double-jewel 51 in Cordovan, titled restored and dated 1946, at $441 delivered. The double jewel and the color both carry a premium, so check the photos for a jewel and metal ring on the blind cap, since reproduction jewels exist.
Parker 51 Double Jewel Vacumatic Fountain Pen 1946 Cordovan Restored
$19.49est. delivered
Sold as is, with a sterling silver cap and a 14K fine nib, at about $19 delivered with 2 bids. Budget for a new diaphragm at least, and check the cap for dents in the photos.
Parker 51 Vacumatic Fountain Pen Fine 14k Nib Sterling Silver Cap As Is
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 5, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 5, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$50.50est. delivered
$33.09 + $17.41 shipping
Auction · 1 bid · ends in 23h 49m
Good buy
Ships from the UK. Titled very good and in good working order.
Seller: wjon4503
99.8% positive
Serviced$188.65est. delivered
$180.00 + $8.65 shipping
Buy It Now$180.00
Good buy
Dove Grey, titled restored and dated 1947.
Seller: portwinfieldgoods
99.2% positive
Serviced$203.00est. delivered
$195.00 + $8.00 shipping
Buy It Now$195.00
Good buy
Black with a stainless cap, titled restored.
Seller: lee4la
100% positive
Serviced$59.08est. delivered
$53.50 + $5.58 shipping
Auction · 5 bids · ends in 6d 7h
Good buy
Blue Cedar, titled restored. Auction with 5 bids.
Seller: mcnab54
100% positive
Serviced$440.93est. delivered
$435.00 + $5.93 shipping
Buy It Now$435.00
Good buy
Double jewel in Cordovan, titled restored.
Seller: granvilledouglas
100% positive
For parts$19.49est. delivered
$12.50 + $6.99 shipping
Auction · 2 bids · ends in 6d 5h
Project piece
Sold as is. Sterling silver cap and 14K fine nib.
Seller: mnas2007
100% positive
Used$121.07est. delivered
$115.00 + $6.07 shipping
Buy It Now$115.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled 1944, with a 14K nib and Blue Diamond gold-filled cap.
Seller: betterthanezra
99.5% positive
Used$1,008.62est. delivered
$1,000.00 + $8.62 shipping
Buy It Now$1,000.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
About $800 over the band. The seller ships in the US only.
Seller: rockyrod53jx
100% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 5, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay searchA pen that’s sat in a drawer for decades wants a flush before it sees ink. A bulb syringe, pen flush and a bottle of well-behaved ink cover most of it. This searches Amazon for the usual kit.
Search pen care kits ↗Amazon search
Parker · 1937–1948
VacumaticMid-size Vacumatic, 1937 to 1948
Pre-war and wartime
$140–$240 typical ask
Parker · 1937–1948
VacumaticLadies' size Vacumatic, 1937 to 1948
Pre-war and wartime
$200–$290 typical ask
Parker · 1948–1969
AerometricAero-metric filler, 1948 to 1969
Post-war golden age
$130–$270 typical ask
Parker · 1921–1936
Button and lever fillerPermanite flat-top, late 1920s
Pre-war and wartime
$270–$490 typical ask
Parker · 1964–1994
Cartridge and converterSterling silver crosshatch, 1964 to 1994
Post-war golden age
$140–$210 typical ask
Parker · 1964–2007
Cartridge and converterBrushed stainless steel, from 1964
Post-war golden age
$55–$90 typical ask