Parker · 1937–1948 · Vacumatic
Mid-size Vacumatic, 1937 to 1948
Parker launched the Vacumatic in 1933 with a pump filler that used the whole barrel for ink, and a body of stacked celluloid rings you can hold up to the light to check the ink level. The Major is the mid-size model. It ran from 1937 until Parker stopped making Vacumatics in the U.S. in 1948. A 1942 Major sits right on the wartime line. That year Parker swapped the aluminum plunger for a celluloid one and dropped the jeweled blind cap to save metal, so 1942 pens turn up both ways. Collectors want the striped Pearl colors, Golden, Emerald, Azure Blue and Silver Pearl, and Silver Pearl pens came with silver-colored trim instead of gold. Before the war, higher-line Vacumatics had two-tone nibs, and those are prized because most surviving pens have plain ones. It's a great Art Deco pen to write with every day.
The rubber diaphragm is the weak point, and an unrestored pen usually needs a new one before it'll hold ink. A missing date code usually means a replacement barrel or an imprint polished away.
Buying guide
Our pick is a Golden Brown Major titled restored at $175 delivered, toward the bottom of the $140–240 band most of the 25 listed fall in, with restored pens near the top and a working Azure Blue at $317. An unrestored Vacumatic usually needs a new diaphragm before it holds ink, so price that in on the plain pens asking from about $100 delivered. Read the date code at the end of the barrel imprint, where a 1942 pen shows a 2, since a missing code usually means a replacement barrel or a polished imprint. Parker dropped the jeweled blind cap and went to a celluloid plunger in 1942 to save metal, so a 1942 pen can turn up either way.
$32.95est. delivered
A 1942 blue striped Long Major titled restored, at about $33 delivered with 2 bids and six days left at capture. It will climb, and we'd stop around $175 delivered, since a Golden Brown Major titled restored asks that.
VINTAGE 1942 BLUE STRIPED PARKER VACUMATIC "LONG MAJOR" FOUNTAIN PEN ~ RESTORED
$174.72est. delivered
Titled restored, in Golden Brown stripes, at $175 delivered, toward the bottom of the band. Ask what was replaced and when, since a new diaphragm is what makes a Vacumatic fill.
Vintage Golden Brown Striped Parker Vacumatic Fountain Pen Major Restored
$201.00est. delivered
A black Major with a jeweler's band, titled restored and excellent, at $201 delivered. Ask for a fill test, since a restored pen draws ink after a few pumps and holds it without leaking.
Parker Vacumatic Major Black Barrel Jewelers Band Excellent Condition Restored
$316.70est. delivered
Azure Blue is one of the Pearl colors collectors want, and this 1944 Major is titled working. It asks $317 delivered, about $75 over the band, so check the photos for even stripes with no cracks and a 4 in the date code.
Working 1944 Parker Major Azure Blue Vacumatic fountain pen
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.
Serviced$32.95est. delivered
$26.00 + $6.95 shipping
Auction · 2 bids · ends in 6d 6h
Good buy
Blue striped Long Major, titled 1942 and restored. Auction with 2 bids.
Seller: tbickiii
99.8% positive
Serviced$174.72est. delivered
$169.00 + $5.72 shipping
Buy It Now$169.00
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.
Good buy
Golden Brown stripes, titled restored.
Seller: raivtash
100% positive
Serviced$201.00est. delivered
$195.00 + $6.00 shipping
Buy It Now$195.00
Good buy
Black with a jeweler's band, titled restored.
Seller: lee4la
100% positive
Used$316.70est. delivered
$305.00 + $11.70 shipping
Buy It Now$305.00
Good buy
Azure Blue, titled working and dated 1944.
Seller: on-the-hunt
100% positive
Serviced$97.00est. delivered
$85.00 + $12.00 shipping
Auction · 17 bids · ends in 2d 20h
Our take
Silver Pearl with chrome trim, which is correct for the color. Titled serviced. Auction with 17 bids.
Seller: jln1457public
100% positive
Used$107.99est. delivered
$100.00 + $7.99 shipping
Buy It Now$100.00
Our take
Golden Pearl with a Blue Diamond clip. No restoration claimed, so budget for a diaphragm.
Seller: ksfarmwoman
100% positive
Used$307.00est. delivered
$300.00 + $7.00 shipping
Buy It Now$300.00
Check the seller
No seller name or feedback showed on eBay's card. Check the seller before buying.
Seller: unknown
Serviced$758.62est. delivered
$750.00 + $8.62 shipping
Buy It Now$750.00
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
Titled 1941 and restored, about $520 over the band. US buyers 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 · 1941–1948
VacumaticVacumatic filler, 1941 to 1948
Pre-war and wartime
$100–$210 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