This update is long overdue, so my apologies to all of you! You probably thought something happened to me, but it has just been the duties of parenthood and normal life that interferes with the hobby. Darn it! :-)
In the intervening period, I have been able to attend three pen shows: DC, Columbus, and Michigan. Attendance at the DC show was a rare treat for me since I have missed it for the past three years. Columbus is close by that I attend every year, while the Michigan show is one that I help in organizing.
For this end-of-year update, I am very grateful to the following contributors including a new one to this website:
New contributor Thierry Saada for sending me pictures of a an unknown French-made vermeil FP in a lined pattern similar to the Ambassador model.
Lee Chait for giving me access to his new finds -- sterling grid 75s with prototype cap tassies and some official Parker PR photographs of the Bicentennial and RMS Queen Elizabeth limited edition pens.
Eric Fonville for giving me access to take photos of his pens.
Mike Smarinsky for sending me copies of 1991 auction catalogs showing 75s with patterns I have only heard about.
Stephen Overbury for access to the rare sterling silver pocket knife in the crosshatch grid pattern.
Alex Crum-Ewing who sent in pictures of another basketweave prototype in two-color solid 18K gold adorned with a small diamond.
On behalf of the pen community, I thank all these people for their thoughtful contributions.
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. Or 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 and I hope 2003 brings you good health and much happiness, especially in the form of unusual Parker 75s!!
Here are the things that are new in the Parker 75 Reference section.
Clarification about the vermeil crosshatch grid regarding the difference between the earlier goldfill versus later gold electroplated versions.
News about the coins for the Spanish Treasure Fleet pens, both replica and cob coins.
Sterling grid knife, an item that not even Parker employees knew about, as written in their newsletter in an article listing non-pen items made by Parker.
Pre-production version of the so-called "moon" pen containing lunar material brought back by Apollo XV.
More Parker PR photographs of the Bicentennial and RMS Queen Elizabeth limited edition pens.
Pictures of the elusive Parker Boucheron in zebra, bark, and rolling wave patterns!
Basketweave prototype in two-color solid 18K gold adorned with a small diamond.
An unknown French vermeil FP model with a lined pattern reminiscent of the US-made Ambassador.
To dispel any lingering confusion between the three brown laque colors — tortoiseshell, woodgrain, and the replacement thuya, here is a side-by-side photo.
See an unfinished Rainbow 75 FP barrel.
More pictures showing the various signed laquer models, including the test market or prototype midnight blue color.
Lots of ephemera in the form of various brochures and advertisements: