Fountain Pen Restoration

Green Marble Junior Vacumatic

In two previous posts on Parker Marble Junior Vacumatics –

Parker Vacumatic Lockdown Filler

1935 Parker Silver Pearl Vacumatic Junior

I discussed the restoration of the other two marbled color Vacumatics of the mid-1930s.  Though smaller Junior sizes, they are highly sought after due to their interesting colors and barrel transparency.  Below is a photo of the pen after I took it apart.  Nothing extraordinary here and the lockdown filler, though very dirty, worked fine.

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The restoration was as with all of the Vacumatics previously discussed.  These models use a standard size replacement diaphragm.  I needed to clean up all of the parts and the barrel had typical staining and diaphragm remnants stuck to the inside.  As I always state, and it is very important – make sure to remove all traces of the old diaphragm from the barrel.  Even when you think they are all gone, use a goose neck flashlight to recheck.  This will make reinserting the restored filler and diaphragm so much easier.

After total cleaning, the pen was reassembled and here are completed photos.  As with my other two marbled vacs, this pen dates to 1935.  The Grey and Burgundy Pearl Juniors were introduced in 1934 and the Emerald (this pen) a year later in 1935.  As with the Burgundy pen, the furniture was gold, the grey being silver.

The transparency is good on this pen after cleaning, but not quite as stunning as with the grey and burgundy pens from the previously mentioned posts.

The pen measures 4 13/16 inches capped and 5 11/16 inches posted and the nib is a Parker medium.

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Here is a photo of the three Marble Junior Vacs together with a Vintage Parker Violet Ink bottle from the same era.  Yes, I still use this ink, but not in these pens.  Reds, Browns, and Violet inks tend to stain – and I do not want to have to clean these barrels again.

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A little Photoshop enhancement to highlight the colors and the amber transparency of this pen.

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These make a nice subset of Parker Vacumatics.  There are so many variations in the Vacumatic run, that it is nice to find a smaller subset that can be completed fairly easily, especially if you are willing to find them unrestored and do the work yourself.  Happy Searching!

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May 27, 2009 - Posted by | Parker Pen Company, Parker Vacumatic | ,

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