Parker Flat Top Duofold Maxi size

The Parker Flat Top Duofold Maxi is a vintage and highly collectible fountain pen model from the renowned Parker Pen Company. This iconic design was part of the classic Duofold fountain pen line, known for its elegant and timeless aesthetic.

Key features of the Parker Flat Top Duofold Maxi fountain pen:

Design and Dimensions:

- The Flat Top Duofold features Parker's distinctive flat-topped barrel design, which was a hallmark of the early Duofold models.

- The Maxi size variant is the larger version, with a barrel diameter of approximately 13-14mm and an overall length of around 140-150mm when capped.

- Available in a range of classic color options, such as black, burgundy, and green, often with gold-plated trim.

- The cap and barrel feature subtly stepped or tapered profiles, creating a sleek and sophisticated look.

Materials and Construction:

- The pen body is typically made from high-quality resin or celluloid materials, providing a durable and premium feel.

- The nib and other metal components, such as the clip and trim, are usually crafted from 14K or 18K gold.

- The overall build quality and attention to detail are exceptional, reflecting Parker's reputation for craftsmanship.

Filling Mechanism:

- The Flat Top Duofold Maxi utilizes a cartridge/converter filling system, allowing for both the convenience of pre-filled cartridges and the flexibility of a built-in converter.

- This provides users with the option to refill the pen with bottled ink for a larger ink capacity.

Writing Performance:

- The gold nib on the Flat Top Duofold Maxi offers a smooth, responsive, and expressive writing experience.

- The nib is typically well-tuned and provides excellent ink flow and control, catering to a variety of writing styles.

- The larger Maxi size nib size (often a #6 or #8) delivers a broader line width and increased ink capacity compared to smaller Duofold models.

Collectibility and Value:

- The Parker Flat Top Duofold Maxi is considered a classic and highly collectible fountain pen, particularly in pristine, mint condition.

- Vintage examples in good condition can command significant value on the secondary market, appealing to both collectors and enthusiasts.

- The historical significance, iconic design, and Parker's reputation as a premium brand all contribute to the Flat Top Duofold Maxi's desirability among fountain pen aficionados.

Overall, the Parker Flat Top Duofold Maxi is a timeless and prestigious fountain pen that embodies the brand's rich heritage and commitment to exceptional craftsmanship. Its collectible status and outstanding writing performance make it a highly sought-after model among vintage fountain pen enthusiasts.

In 1921, the Parker Pen Company took a risk by introducing a new pen based on the design of the company’s successful Jack-Knife Safety pen. The new model, proposed by a Parker branch manager named Lewis M. Tebbel, was the Parker Duofold. It was identical to the oversize Jack-Knife Safety Nº 26, and instead of the usual black, It was red. It was known as the Big Red. It was priced at $7.00, a dollar more than the Jack-Knife Safety Nº 26. Tebbel insisted that the Duofold would sell, but very few in Janesville were optimistic — until sales took off with great success. 

There are various sizes and colours for the Duofold collection consisting of the Senior Max and Junior and also Pencils and ladies. The flat top maxi size is considered to be the most desirable and the  mandarin yellow the most desirable for the Duofold collectors. The Mandarin yellow color appeared in Parker’s catalog after a visit George Parker made to China, where he discovered this particularly bright yellow and observed how popular it was there. 

But it wasn’t as popular in the West and as a result, not that many yellow Duofolds were made. To make things worse, the yellow celluloid turns out to be much more fragile than the material used for any of the other Duofold color as these pens, when they turn up, frequently have cracks at the cap lip. In addition, the yellow barrel also tended to discolour and became darker after much use. As such, finding the perfect Mandarin yellow without any crack or discolouring is a great challenge for all pen collectors.

Even during the early 1920s, Parker has already started to target female consumers with the below advertisements:

Besides the flat top Duofold, there were also UK made Duofold in different shapes and filling mechanism.