Prior to the 1930s, pen-makers were very concerned with flashiness in
their pens. There was conspicuous consumption in the 1920s, and
one means to be seen as consuming was to have a mad pen, bright orange,
or covered in gold filigree. The Great Depression of the 1930s
introduced a tone of sobriety to North America, however-- people (not
celebrities and the few remaining super-rich, of course, but people)
could actually get beaten up for overdoing on the conspicious
expenditure.
The Parker Moderne is a reflection of that mood, at
least on the part of Parker's Canadian operation as I don't believe
this model appeared in the U.S. (if you know otherwise, let me know).
It's a small pen-- compared to a pre-depression Duofold it takes up about half the volume of pocket, and it's hard
for a chap of moderate hand-size to write with unposted. There's
still gold fittings, but understated on a sensible black plastic.
A sign of hope for better days ahead, rather than an insult to
the crowds of unemployed folks you'd have to walk through to get to
work. The Moderne was a budget pen, in Parker's view-- still more of a cost than something like this, but within reach of the majority. When there's not a lot being spent, this is what smart companies do.
I think the ghosts of those legions of hungry disenfranchised would be
moved to more grudging approval to learn that this pen is still working
just fine, seventy-two years later. I'd rate the point as
semi-flexible-- one can play the line-width tricks of a flex-pen, but
not in an exaggerated way. There's never a sign of scratch as it
writes, either.
This was my first vintage pen purchase, and it was in a shocking state
inside and out when I got it. That it looks the way it does above
is more a tribute to the enduring nature of the pen than my own skills.
It was another case of a pen which had landed in the hands of
people who didn't know how to look after it properly, and I suspect
that the ossification of its sac saved it from utter destruction.
For interest's sake, compare this pen to the "Geometric" Duofold
from the U.S. Very similar shape, and at that point Duofold was a
budget line in the U.S. That the Duofold is so snappily decorated
speaks of the end of the Depression-- it's not a beating offence to
have some snap in your mode of dress, once more.
Specifications:
Fine semi-flex gold point. Button filler. 12.1cm long capped, 14.0cm posted.
Condition: Light wear
tending towards medium on body-- there are several small scratches
present, but nothing that jumps out at the viewer. The furniture
is, for a wonder, completely unbrassed. There is a stable crack
in the barrel produced by shrinkage of the plastic-- it's not getting worse, but it's slightly longer than the depth of the threads.
Repairs: Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning-- there was about a millimeter of dried ink on the outside
of the point-- you can imagine what the feed was like. Sac
replaced with silicon. The pressure bar was pulled, freed of rust
and replaced. The point also needed a little re-setting, as it was wandering from the feed a little.
Location: My collection.
For sale?: Don't
think so. First vintage pen, which makes the sentiment attached
to it worth a lot more than a pen with a cracked barrel goes for in a
rational market.
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