Exceedingly Rare and Historic ** Vintage Parker “Plexor” Double Jewel Vacumatic-Design Fountain Pen, France 1930s **
Whether you are a Parker Pen aficionado or the owner of an important Parker collection, you will probably enjoy reading the following, since it evokes a little-known portion of Parker Pens’ glorious history…
Although Parker opened their first “own” factory in France only in 1949, by the 1930s Parker USA already had a licensee in France who produced pens locally, as well as distributed Parker models imported from other Parker production sites.
Over time, the production from Parker’s French licensee closely resembled English Parker Duofolds… and subsequently Parker Vacumatics, albeit the latter with a button filler mechanism. Known examples of these Vacumatic-like pens are branded “Plexor”. They sport Parker’s Split Arrow Clip without the Blue Diamond (same as some Danish Parker NS Duofolds, except for being a few millimeters shorter). A portion of Parker’s French licensee’s production was signed: “PLEXOR” FAB. PAR AGENCE PARKER S.A. (i.e., “PLEXOR” MANUF. BY LICENSEE PARKER INC.). It is not known whether any pens produced by the French Licensee also were directly branded as “Parker” pens…
Consequently, throughout World War II (including during the German Occupation), and despite being an American company, Parker was able to continue distributing and manufacturing pens in France.
Interestingly, Parker’s licensee arrangement in France is reminiscent of the one Parker already enjoyed in Denmark since 1906. Christian Olsen manufactured Parker pens alongside pens branded “Penol”, both sharing certain interchangeable parts.
Plexor pens are exceedingly rare and only scant information about them is available.
The example presently on offer closely resembles Parker’s USA produced Maxima model, and is approximately the same length. Also of note: its design incorporates an ink-view window reminiscent of some Danish Penol models… as well as the Parker “Televisor”.
- Length: 13.3 cm – 5 ¼” closed
- Filler system: Button
- Nib: Fine, flexible, 14K solid gold, signed 585, 14C, plus diamond frame around crescent moon hallmark
- Material: Celluloid
- Trim: Twin tassie, double jewel, triple band, Parker’s split arrow clip without the blue diamond
- Imprint: Crisp and clear; “PLEXOR” 26BL FABRICATION FRANCAISE
- Condition: Excellent. In working order. No engraving or cracks nor any other damage
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Parker Pen Company history
The Parker Pen Company was founded by George S. Parker in 1888. Dissatisfied with the pens available at the time, Parker’s mission was to produce an eminently reliable pen. This tradition continued admirably in the decades that ensued, with the Company becoming the number one leader in writing instrument sales from 1920 through the 1960s.
Parker also continued to regularly revolutionize the fountain pen and all that accompanied it. In 1931 Parker launched Quink, an ink that did away with the need for blotters. This breakthrough also paved the way for Parker’s launch in 1941 of the Parker 51, that would go on to become the most popular fountain pen of all times.
The Parker Pen Company also came to epitomize prestige, as well as the highest standards of craftsmanship, technology and design. As such, Parker pens were frequently selected to sign important documents, including the Armistice following World War II and the INF Treaty between President Ronald Regan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987.
