Parker Harlequin 80

The Parker Harlequin 80 (sometimes called the Parker 45 Harlequin)  was seen as a way of livening up the aged Parker 45 at a period in time where sales were falling. Introduced in 1980 the Harlequin is immediately recognisable due to the etched patterns that run the length of the pen. Correctly the Harlequin 80 should come with a Steel Nib although like all of the Parker 45 family this could easily be changed. Earliest examples date from 1979 just before date coding was introduced and production ran until about 1984 at Parker’s Newhaven Factory in England.

Of the production models there are two basic patterns, a “Shield” pattern and a “Circlet” pattern which was etched into the the barrel and cap.

Standard colours are Plain (unpainted sometimes called “Grey”) and Black. Other colours were made, for example a Red Shield which appeared in Parker’s advertising and appears to have been sold in very limited numbers making it highly prized by collectors. A Black Circlet and a Red Circlet were also sold, again in extremely limited numbers, again making them among the rarest of the Harlequin 80 family.

There are also a rare few examples of prototypes in various colours including  Green and rarer still Blue with many of these prototypes exhibiting imperfections or variations in the patterns or in the paint used to make them as well as occasional unique characteristics such as flat metal end disks on the bottom of the barrel.

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Listed in the UK Price List as the Parker Harlequin 80 (Black) or (Plain) and interestingly the Harlequin 80 is presented separately from the other Parker 45s.

Fountain Pens
Recommended Retail Price including VAT in Aug 1981 was £12.00 for the Black painted versions
Recommended Retail Price including VAT in Aug 1981 was £10.00 for the Plain (Grey) versions
Ball Point Pens
Recommended Retail Price including VAT in Aug 1981 was £7.00 for the Black painted versions
Recommended Retail Price including VAT in Aug 1981 was £6.50 for the Plain (Grey) versions

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