Vacumatic Slender Maxima Question arrives...

This email crossed my desk. I added the photo to illustrate what is discussed.


Dear David, It was very nice to see you in DC. I have a quick question: I re-read your article about the slender maxima debate, and have recently examined some slener-max-like pens. The ones I saw all have the "correct" wide cap band as explained in your article, but all have the smaller nib as in the major. Is it necessary to have the larger nib? Is the correct nib for slender maxima the same size as that for the senior maxima? Must the correct slender maxima have a slightly wider section (compared to major) in order to host a larger nib? If the cap band + nib size are the definition of the sldender maxima, why do you need to write so much about "confusions"? All other confused modeles seem not to have the large nib -- so isn't that a simple criterion? Am I missing something?

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A good range of questions. This model still then generates at least .... hmmm let us say... challenges... if not confusion for you, though given the number of non Slender Maxima pens I see offered on line AS Slender Maxima I would assert that for many it does generate confusion, which is, i guess, better than disingenuousness.

Let's go sequentially. I'll give you my best views, recognizing that pen companies tended to make things... challenging... for collectors-in-retrospect.

The ones I saw all have the "correct" wide cap band as explained in your article, but all have the smaller nib as in the major.

Yes, that no doubt raises concerns. One generally expects to find the 9-feather Max-ish nib (often with more steep cross sectional arc to accommodate the narrower gripping section of the non Senior Max section). Too, I note that by 1939 the Major had identical barrel length (and cap length) to Slender Max which was not so during earlier years. It is possible that Major barrel assemblies or even just gripping section/nib assemblies were swapped at later date for Slender Max assemblies. Can one rule out that as (or before) the Slender Maxima ceased production during 1941 that Parker "blew out" some caps with Major nibs? Well, one cannot prove the negative, but as I believe I've seen even late date Slender Max with proper nib, I have doubts. Upshot is that if the pen has the proper proportions and the key cap-band, it is- at least- "mostly there". The nib difference impacts value, but the key defining trait is the cap-band.

Is the correct nib for slender maxima the same size as that for the senior maxima?

The predecessor to Slender Max, the "Senior", had an OS nib. To my eye and at first glance, the Slender Max nib appears to be same as the OS/Senior-Max nib but wrapped more tightly (steeper arc) to fit the tighter gripping section. It has the 9 feathers on each side of arrow shaft as does Senior Max. I concede I have not weighed both types of nib or measured peak length/width to confirm nibs are identical save for the steeper arc imposed on cross section of the nibs meant for Slender Max. But, they clearly differ from Major nib (7-8 feathers, generally shorter arrow shaft promixal to breather hole).

Must the correct slender maxima have a slightly wider section (compared to major) in order to host a larger nib?

No. Indeed, the Slender Max has identical outer diameter section to that of Major and to Junior and to Streamlined Standard, etc. The inner diameter is larger, giving thinner wall, to accomodate larger feed and nib. All the sections (with some subtle style caveats related more to year of production than to model per se) can be swapped from pen to pen as the threads for the section to barrel are identical in all the pens that some confuse for Slender Maxima.

If the cap band + nib size are the definition of the sldender maxima, why do you need to write so much about "confusions"?

Yet, here we are, many sentences into discussion about what constitutes proper findings for Slender Maxima :)

All other confused models seem not to have the large nib -- so isn't that a simple criterion?

Pens grow confused, collectors grow confused, the literature is limited...

But, yes, barring the possibility of late pens lacking the "proper" nib, even from factory (which I doubt, but I like to keep open mind), one would expect that the two defining criteria- even if some of that definition is done in retrospect- would be enough. The... challenge... comes from the fact that when Slender Max was released, it was the only pen of its size, but over the years a number of other pens were released of the same cap/barrel size: Streamlined Standard, 2nd (and early 3rd) Generation Major- for awhile-, Canadian Juniors, Jeweler's Band pens, etc. Many collectors took to labelling any pen of this size with the Slender Maxima name. The confusion perhaps then is less about the pens than about the way many collectors have treated the name. This is not uncommon in pendom.

Am I missing something?

You seem to have sound handle on it. I leave it as follows. To call a pen a proper Slender Max, it should have Slender Maxima proportions, double jewel status, proper nib, proper cap-band (four criteria). Again, a Slender Max cap will fit several other models' barrels, some of which have and some of which lack proper barrel proportion and all of which will lack Slender Max nib. Major- far more common than Slender Max- changed size over the years, sometimes as long as Slender Max, other times not. Barrel swaps with Major would be a concern. It is possible to see how confusion arises.