1898 Parker Catalog [source]
Parker · 1906-1915
Parker Snake (#37/#38)
Variants
| Model | Material | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| #37 | Sterling silver overlay | $8 (1906) | Geo. W. Heath Co. hallmark (H in square) |
| #38 | Gold-filled overlay | $10 (1906) | |
| Button filler | Post-1913 button-filler variant (continued to ~1915) | ||
| 1997 Limited Edition | Sterling silver replica, 250 pieces, emerald eyes |
What to Look For
Holy grail of Parker pen collecting. Snake motif winds around barrel and cap. Emerald cabochon green stone eyes. Each overlay individually hand-embossed — no two identical (snakes crawl up or down randomly). 130-140mm long. Nib variations: keyhole, tear, round, heart breather holes. Dropped from main catalog by 1910 but button-filler versions continued to ~1915. Look for patent markings and Heath hallmark on sterling. A 1997 limited edition of 250 sterling replicas was produced.
The holy grail of Parker pen collecting — a coiled snake with emerald cabochon eyes winding around the barrel and cap.1
Design
Each Snake pen was individually hand-embossed and chiseled by craftsmen — no two are identical.1 The snakes crawl upward or downward randomly, and a space was reserved for the owner’s name engraving.1 The #37 is sterling silver; the #38 is gold-filled, both originally priced at $8-10.1
History
Production began in 1906 and was dropped from the main catalog by 1910,2 though button-filler variants continued manufacturing until at least 1915.1 The sterling examples bear the Geo. W. Heath Co. hallmark (“H” in a square).1
Nibs
Lucky Curve #3 nibs were predominantly used, with variations including keyhole, tear, round, and heart breather holes.1 Some display “lazy S” imprints.1
Modern Edition
Parker released a limited-edition Snake replica in 1997 — 250 pieces in sterling silver with genuine emerald eyes, plus a smaller run in 18K solid gold.1
Value
The Snake is routinely described as the “Holy Grail of pen collecting.”1 Original examples command well into five figures at auction.