Vintage Parker empty glass ink bottle ( remnants of ink still remain).
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Lovely desk display item, some minor age related wear.
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7 cm wide
7 cm tall
4 cm depth
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Parker's history began in 1888 when George Safford Parker founded the company, with its first major breakthrough being the 1894 "Lucky Curve" anti-leak system. Initially a seller of other companies' pens, Parker later produced its own. The company developed its ink supply, eventually creating its own inks like the quick-drying, non-clogging Quink in the 1920s, which included the "Solv-X" additive.
Early Innovations (1888-1920s)
1888: George Safford Parker founded the Parker Pen Company in Janesville, Wisconsin.
1894: Parker patented the Lucky Curve anti-leak ink feed system, which used capillary action to draw excess ink back into the pen, revolutionizing the industry.
1898: The company began to produce and sell its own inks, offering various types including black, red, and self-copying inks.
Early 1900s: Parker pens became a global company.
1906: Parker launched its Art Nouveau-inspired gold and sterling silver Snake pens.
1921: Parker released the flagship Parker Duofold, a popular fountain pen.
Ink Development (1920s-1940s)
1920s: Parker began to formulate its own fountain pen inks to meet the high demands of the Duofold and other popular pens.
Quink Ink: By the 1930s, Parker developed Quink, a fast-drying, water-resistant, non-corrosive, and non-clogging ink.
Solv-X: The secret ingredient in Quink, called Solv-X, helped dissolve sediment and prevent clogging.
Superchrome Ink: In 1941, Parker released the innovative "51" ink for the new Parker 51 pen. Due to its high alkaline formula and alcohol content, the ink could damage other pens. It was later made less corrosive and renamed Superchrome.
Later History
1933: Parker introduced the Vacumatic, a successor to the Duofold with a larger ink capacity.
1941: The Parker 51, a famous pen, was released.
2011: The Parker factory in Newhaven, England was closed, and production was transferred to Nantes, France.
Parker pens continue to be used around the world, maintaining a reputation for quality and excellence.