Parker · 1937–1948 · Vacumatic
Ladies' size Vacumatic, 1937 to 1948
The Debutante was Parker's ladies' Vacumatic. It's a short, slim pen with the same striped celluloid and pump filler as the bigger Vacs, and it ran from 1937 until Parker stopped U.S. Vacumatic production in 1948. Collectors now sort Debutantes by size, from the Senior Debutante down to the tiny Junior Debutante they call the Sub-Deb. A 1939 pen comes from a good spot in the run. It has the Speedline filler Parker introduced in 1937, which doesn't lock down like the first version, and it still has the jeweled blind cap Parker dropped in 1942. In 1939 the Blue Diamond clip also arrived to mark Parker's lifetime warranty, after a brief run with a star in late 1938. Golden, Emerald and Silver Pearl are the stripes to look for. It suits small hands, a shirt pocket, or anyone who wants a Vacumatic in a lighter, slimmer size.
Like every Vacumatic, the rubber diaphragm ages and usually needs replacing before the pen will fill. Sizes are easy to mix up in listings, and a missing date code usually means a replacement barrel or a polished-off imprint.
Buying guide
Our pick is rgbpd1's green Shadow Wave Debutante, dated 1939 and titled working, at $203 delivered. There are 12 for sale and most ask $200–290 delivered, with restored pens from penrelics and on-the-hunt at $206–307. An unrestored pen usually needs a new diaphragm before it fills, so price that in, and ask for the capped length, since Junior and Major Vacs are bigger and the Sub-Deb is smaller. A 1939 pen should show a 9 in the date code and a jewel in a metal ring on the blind cap.
$82.29est. delivered
A Silver Pearl Debutante with a Blue Diamond clip and 14K nib, about $82 delivered as a no-bid auction with a day left at capture. Silver Pearl is one of the stripes collectors look for, so it will climb, and we'd stop around $200 delivered, where a Deb titled working asks here.
Parker Silver Pearl Vacumatic - Debutante - NPT - BD - 14kt nib - DC 3 - E
$203.36est. delivered
Dated 1939 and titled working, with a fine nib, at $203 delivered, the bottom of the $200–290 band. Ask when the diaphragm was replaced.
Parker Vintage Vacumatic Green Shadowwave Deb Fountain pen-- working--fine-1939
$206.00est. delivered
Titled restored, a Red Shadow Wave Debutante with a 14K nib at $206 delivered, so the diaphragm work should be done. Ask what was replaced and when.
Parker Vacumatic Fountain Pen - Red Shadow Wave - Debutante - Restored - 14k Nib
$229.15est. delivered
A double-jewel Debutante with the Speedline filler, the pre-1942 spec, in Azure Blue Pearl with an EF nib at $229 delivered, inside the band. Check the photos for the jewel in a metal ring on the blind cap.
PARKER VACUMATIC DEBUTANTE DJ SPEEDLINE AZURE BLUE PEARL FOUNTAIN PEN EF 14K
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$82.29est. delivered
$69.99 + $12.30 shipping
Auction · no bids yet · ends in 1d 9h
Good buy
Silver Pearl, Blue Diamond clip, 14K nib. No-bid auction.
Seller: mpcac
100% positive
Used$203.36est. delivered
$185.66 + $17.70 shipping
Buy It Now$185.66
Good buy
Green Shadow Wave, dated 1939, titled working, fine nib.
Seller: rgbpd1
99.9% positive
Serviced$206.00est. delivered
$200.00 + $6.00 shipping
Buy It Now$200.00
Good buy
Red Shadow Wave, titled restored, 14K nib.
Seller: penrelics
100% positive
Used$229.15est. delivered
$220.50 + $8.65 shipping
Buy It Now$220.50
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.
Good buy
Double jewel with the Speedline filler, in Azure Blue Pearl with an EF nib.
Seller: mngator
98.5% positive
Used$110.19est. delivered
$99.99 + $10.20 shipping
Buy It Now$99.99
Our take
Titled Senior Debutante, the largest Deb size. The cheapest Buy It Now here.
Seller: mkuna10
99.3% positive
Used$242.74est. delivered
$225.04 + $17.70 shipping
Buy It Now$225.04
Our take
A smaller Sub-Deb, titled 1952. U.S. Vacumatics stopped in 1948, so ask about the date code.
Seller: rgbpd1
99.9% positive
Used$271.14delivered
$271.14 · free shipping
Buy It Now$271.14
Our take
Ships free from the UK. Brown Shadow, 14K fine nib.
Seller: pengineer
100% positive
Serviced$306.70est. delivered
$295.00 + $11.70 shipping
Buy It Now$295.00
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
Gray Shadow Wave, titled restored and dated 1938.
Seller: on-the-hunt
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.
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Parker · 1941–1948
VacumaticVacumatic filler, 1941 to 1948
Pre-war and wartime
$100–$210 typical ask
Parker · 1937–1948
VacumaticMid-size Vacumatic, 1937 to 1948
Pre-war and wartime
$140–$240 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