This update comes a month before the Chicago Pen Show.
Doug Flax again kindly provided me with another Parker nib guide. Issued in August 1991, this material is interesting because it lists a third numbering system for 75 nib sizes for French-made 14K nibs. You may recall that 1991 was only about a year away from the end of the 75 line. Also, the table shows the equivalent sizes for other pen lines: Duofold 18K, Premier 18K, 45 in 14K and stainless steel, and 25.
Lynn Sorgatz showed me a Parker product catalog from the early 1980s. The 75s listed were:
Vermeil and sterling Florence
Sterling crosshatch grid
Laque models in Jaspe (red), Thuya (brown), Malachite (green) and Lapis Lazuli (blue)
Goldplated Place Vendome models Milleraies, Grain d'Orge, Prince de Galles, and Perlé
Silverplated Place Vendome models Milleraies, Grain d'Orge, Prince de Galles, and Flammé
Also listed were 180 models in Ecaille (aka tortoiseshell). But the most interesting was a page showing all the patterns with the 180 Damier being a completely different pattern than found in the 75. In the 180, Damier is a weave instead of being a rectangular pattern!
Thank you Doug and Lynn for your continuing contribution to this website.
As always, I welcome your feedback/criticisms on this site. I am always interested in hearing from you, especially if you have some 75 that you don't see here. Even better if you want to sell it to me. If you are looking for a particular 75 or have need of parts, drop me a note. I might just have it. Send me email at the LTW@Parker75.com address.
Thanks for visiting.
Here are the new items in the Parker 75 Reference section.
1991 Parker nib guide containing writing samples, hand positions, and nib numbers
Finishes of various Parker models from an early 1980s product catalog
Interesting 75 accessories in sterling silver with the famous grid pattern: a tie clip and pair of cuff links
High-resolution scans of the Keepsake owner's manual