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The Parker Pen Archive at Heritage House

ack in 1888, George Safford Parker (1863-1937) was work- found for prices ranging from $750-
ing part-time as a seller and repairman of fountain pens. As $1,200, depending upon condition.
Bhe worked, he found that he could not find a pen that During World War I, Parker created
wrote easily and did not leak. His search for such a pen resulted the Trench Pen after signing an agree-
in the establishment of the Parker Pen Company in Janesville, ment with the U.S. War Department.
Wisconsin. The following year, at the young age of 25, George The pen uses dry ink tablets that are
Parker was awarded his first patent for a pen design. Because of activated by adding water. During the
Parker’s drive to continually perfect the writing experience, his time between the two World Wars,
company created groundbreaking innovations to the art of writing, Parker reached the $1 million sales
as it continues to do to this day. mark for the first time, brought forth
the “Duofold” pen that later was given
Parker Pens the nickname “Big
Around the World Red” due to its
Once Parker had solidi- bright orange color
fied his top status as a pen (and was highly
manufacturer in the U.S., valued because of its 1910 Saturday Evening Post
advertisement for the Lucky
he set sail around the world 25-year guarantee), Curve pen, Parker’s second
to share his inventions and made pens from patented pen.
sell his pens. According to “a beautiful and
his obituary, Parker made durable new plastic material” proven to resist
five trips selling and being cracking and put its newly designed arrow clip on
the ambassador of his brand, its pens. At the end of World War II, the German
bestowing his pens upon Surrender was signed with a
dignitaries and influential Parker 51 given to Dwight D.
persons wherever he traveled. Eisenhower by Kenneth Parker.
It was noted that “the king of General Douglas MacArthur
Siam once received from Parker a costly used his wife's Duofold pen to
jeweled pen. Subsequently, the king’s brother was sign the Japanese Surrender.
entertained at Parker’s mansion in Janesville.” These stories and many
Parker also enjoyed exploring new lands and others are explored and
their peoples, and always kept a bag of black pens displayed in the Parker
with him. Also, according to his obituary, Heritage House Private
“Travelers who followed him into these little- Museum in London. Over
known corners of the world were amazed to come the many years, Parker has
upon swarthy or yellow-skinned natives using a introduced limited-edition
much-cherished fountain pen.” designs to pay homage to its
While Hong Kong and Shanghai traders past and look to the future.
welcomed his visitation, Japan was looking to expand On January 23, 2015, the
their own manufacturing base and soon had their own pen factories. company opened an exhibition dedicated to Parker’s story, and how
To service the markets on the European Continent, Parker established he used his mantra, “It will always be possible to make a better pen,”
a second headquarters in London, which houses the Museum. to drive his desire to shape the history of fine writing. Heritage
House, where the Parker Museum is housed, is not open to the
Early Innovations general public, but enthusiastically shares information about the
Parker went on to invent treasures, which includes “poignant artifacts and pens
the “Lucky Curve” anti-leak from Parker’s extensive archives. Over 150 items showcase
system, giving him his second Parker’s rich history, personality, passions, and interests of signif-
patent in 1894. At the turn of icant Parker family members.”
the 20th century, the start of According to the website, parkerpen.com/heritage-house, the
the Art Nouveau movement collection of this multi-national corporation contains pens dating to
resulted in incredible style the company’s founding in 1888, along with artifacts, advertising
being applied to the Parker and marketing materials, films, and the family’s private archives in
Pen’s overall design. The London, England. The 30,000 items come from the first Parker site
Parker Snake Pen was offered in Janesville, Wisconsin, Newhaven, England, and Nantes, France.
in 1906 with the snake cov- This preservation of the Parker legacy is maintained by a single ded-
ered in sterling silver or a gold- icated Parker employee who is responsible for curating and archiving
filled metal and adorned the this vast collection.
Photo showing several “Big Red” pens desk of many high-powered Visit their website at www.parkerpen.com/heritage-house.html
being thrown from an airplane to demon- business titans. It is highly Inquiries regarding the museum may be addressed to
strate its durability once used after landing.
collectible today and can be heritage.house@parkerpen.com

22 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles