Atlas booster rocket remnant, 1968

Updated 12-31-2007

Parker made these pens to commemorate the ten-year anniversary of the US space agency we know today as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA.  The pens' components were made from the Atlas booster rocket which sent Colonel John H. Glenn on his historic flight, the US's first, to orbit our planet on February 20, 1962.  

While booster rockets normal burn up during their return descent through the atmosphere, a piece survived reentry and landed in Africa.  This piece was later returned to NASA who identified it.

The sterling crosshatch grid ballpen in the slim Classic (75) model shown above had its push button clicker made from the rocket booster material.  This can be seen below as having a dull appearance that is quite different from sterling silver.  

250 BPs were made though never released for sale to the public.  Instead, George Parker presented these as gifts to heads of state and key NASA officials.  Naturally, Col. Glenn was presented a set.  

Actuation button made from retrieved Atlas rocket booster

U.S.A. INTO SPACE
20 II 1962

PARKER
STERLING SILVER

 

The FP was constructed differently.  Since entire cap and barrel material was made from the retrieved booster rocket remnant, only 4 were made.  Parker kept two of the pens for its internal use while the other pens were given to Col. Glenn and President Lyndon B. Johnson.  Engraved on the barrel of the pen was

This Pen is Made
from a Fragment of the Rocket which Boosted Astronaut John Glenn
into America's First Orbit Space Flight
20 February 1962.

Of the two kept by Parker, one escaped captivity and surfaced at the Chicago 2000 pen show auction.  I mentioned this in the website update after the show and that this pen reached the hammer price of $3000.  Subsequent to the auction, this FP and the moon pen sold for approximately $20,000!!

On Feb 23, 2001 this FP and the Apollo XV or moon 75 FP changed hands once more via a Bonhams auction.  The hammer price ended at GBP 13,500!!  Including the buyer's premium of 15% this puts the transaction at GBP 15,525 before any VAT and transaction fees or over US $22,500 for this FP alone.  This is probably the second highest price ever paid for a Parker 75 FP, second only to what the moon pen sold during the same auction.  It is also a far cry from the $3000 price it fetched at auction during  the Chicago 2000 pen show!

 

Update of 12-22-01

Here is a picture of the pen that remains with the Parker family, courtesy of Geoffrey Parker.  Mr. Parker's grandfather Kenneth was responsible for driving the creation of the Parker 75.

One noticeable item is the early clip with its smaller arrowhead.  Geoff has confirmed that this clip is matched with the correct flat tassies.  Other details about this pen include: