Explore Mr. Parker
The Parker Pen Company all started with it’s founder George Safford Parker in 1888 in Janesville, Wisconsin, USA. For many decades in the 20th century, Parker was the #1 writing instrument company in the world. Parker gave us classics such as the “51” fountain pen which was the most widely used model of fountain pen in history, and the “Jotter” ballpoint pen which was used by US presidents and fans alike.
As the company grew over the years, they set up manufacturing facilities in Canada, the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Mexico, USA, Pakistan, India, Germany, Brazil, and Argentina. However, in 1987, a management buyout moved the company’s headquarters to Newhaven, East Sussex.
Commercial competition increased upon the Parker Jotter’s classic metal ink refill cartridge design. Low costs generic copies can now be produced in China. And as Parker’s unique design patent for the cartridge expired, Parker’s sales began to take a dip. In July 2009 Newell Rubbermaid Inc. announced that it had decided to close down the Parker production factory at Newhaven in England and relocate production to France.
Today, Parker is known as one of the oldest, most respected, and most reliable manufacturers of writing instruments in the world.
Each Parker pen is made up of up to 21 individual parts. Each fountain pen is weighted and balanced to optimize the twin channel feed and collector system ensuring even supply of ink to the nib. And each fountain pen is finished with stainless steel or 18 carat solid gold plated nibs for an adaptable writing experience.
Parker has recently released new versions of their classic “Sonnet” collection, as well as their sleek and sophisticated “IM” Collection. The changes are subtle but noticeable, and retain much of the Parker aesthetic which has become so iconic over the decades. Huge improvements have been made in the packaging as each pen now comes in a beautiful box that features literature describing each collection, as well as their two royal warrants that are now proudly displayed on the outside of the box.
