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Parker "50"
Falcon
1978-1982
HISTORY
Even though Parker had had a bad experience with the legendary Parker "T1", a venture during 1970–1971 to produce an all-titanium pen with an integrated nib, they couldn't altogether forget about the sleek, well-balanced and attractive design. The main problem with the "T1" had been the toughness of the titanium, which made production costs too high.
In time for the Christmas season 1978, the Parker "50" Flighter appeared on the shelves. It borrowed many features from the predecessor Parker "T1", with one big difference: it was made of steel, not titanium. The Falcon had a body ring, a bit broader in comparison to the one on the "T1", and while the "T1" had a small breather hole in the nib part, the Falcon had not. Instead, the brushing, or rather frosting, ended in a tip on top of the nib, creating a striking effect. It was also a little slimmer and longer than the Parker "T1" had been.
Falcon Flighter, Signet, TX and Matte brown (open) from around 1980.
When the Falcon appeared in the 1979 Parker catalogue, it was offered in one finish only, as an all-steel Flighter. The fountain pen cost $25, the ball pen $15, or as a set for $40. The cap and body came in a brushed stainless steel design with an electroplated 22k gold clip. It was offered in three nib sizes: Fine, Medium and Broad, the latter not offered in the sets. The catalogue refers to the nib as a "unitary" nib.
It sold very well, and Parker realised its potential. Cashing in, Parker raised the prices for 1980. Now a Flighter fountain pen cost $30, a ball pen $17, and a set $47.50 (still no real bargain for the set). A Falcon in a Matte Black finish was also introduced, referred to as the 50B or TX, and a year later, in 1981, the Gold version, or Signet, was launched as part of the Heritage Collection. It was referred to as "the luxury look of tapered 12k gold fill". Matching pencils were also offered. The gold Falcon cost $125, the ball pen $75, and the pencil, with a 0.7 lead, $75 as well. A ball/fountain pen set was offered for $150. Extra Fine was added to the nib size options.
A Falcon Secretary pen from around 1980.
There were several attractive finishes offered for the Gold Falcon, but the line took a severe beating when the prices of gold rose through the roof in the early 1980s. The last design to be offered was the Parker Falcon in Matte Brown, but already in 1982, the Falcon had disappeared from the production catalogue. The uncatalogued Falcon Flighter Secretary pen is the rarest of the Falcons.
Given the four only basic colours, it is very easy to complete a Falcon collection and, though rather common — especially the Flighter model — they are very sought after among collectors and, perhaps, a bit overpriced. But, in comparison to the "T1", they are good writers and do not suffer from the "T1"-problem of a somewhat fragile nib-tip. They have been referred to as the "poor man's T1".
Image © Bernard Bernolet Dethières courtesy of bbpen.com
A Falcon statuette limited edition, 1978.
To mark the introduction of the Falcon in 1978, Parker commissioned a limited edition of 100 statuettes of a Peregrine Falcon in sterling silver, based on the design of Alex Jardine, of the Society of Wildlife Artists.
(Updated 2015)
