Parker Holy Water Sprinkler

I previously restored an aspergillum in my post of October 12, 2012, Fountain Pen Surprises. That pen was a no name, piston filler. This one is much more familiar, sitting on a Parker 65 body. If you recall, and aspergillums are holy water sprinklers, used by priests during Catholic and Anglican Masses.  These pen versions were likely used visiting the sick in hospitals or homes, or away from the Church in other holy activities.    Parker marketed these also as gifts to be given by Parishioners to their Clergy, especially during the Christmas Holidays.  As also previously mentioned, other major pen companies that produced these were Waterman and Leboeuf.  Parker also produced these as far back as 1935 in the Vacumatic line.

The Parker VP (Very Personal),  was introduced in 1962 and remained in production for a short time, until 1964.    The filler, seen in the first photo below, is a semi aerometric, but actually was placed directly into the holy water and after full, placed into the pen with the black capillary like filler contacting the chalice.  It was also used in early versions of the Parker 65, and was very problematic as the tip was prone to breaking and many pens were sent back for repairs.

Here is a photo of the filler inserted back into the chalice unit.  I wish I had an actual VP to show the comparison, but alas, I do not.

The Holy Water Sprinkler measures 5 7/16 inches closed and 6 1/16 posted (photos below).

The imprint for Reverend Francis M. Valenti.  An internet search reveals that he was a Catholic Priest from the Cleveland, Ohio Diocese during the period this pen was produced.

Below are two final closeups of the cap barrel jewel and the gold chalice.

These are somewhat unique, and though not pens, they do sit on a fountain pen base, and form a small niche for collectors.

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