Editing Jotter (section)

== History ==
* In 1954, the Parker Jotter had an inverted "V" style clip without the arrow engraving. The [https://unsharpen.com/pen/parker-jotter-ballpoint-pen/ 1954 Parker Jotter] came with red, green, light gray, dark gray and black barrels, made of grooved nylon, not smooth plastic. The following year, because of the popularity of the pen, the choice of colors was extended to include bright red, mustard yellow, bright green and bright orange. These later colors are more difficult to find now. There are also cap variations resulting from differences in imprints, most noticeably the introduction of the Parker arrow logo and two sizes of the "MADE IN USA" imprint. Towards the end of production, smooth barrels were introduced without a metal tip. These proved to be prone to splitting and a metal tip was incorporated to improve durability.  These barrels are also found with the early so-called "21" variety (see immediately below).           
* In 1956, the company made the Jotter barrel smooth plastic and changed the clip to the "21" style.  This clip used a reversed "V" rather than an inverted one and incorporated a ball on the clip for pocket retention. This clip remained in use for approximately two years. During the period this variation was in production a metal barrel end (or tip) was added in response to complaints that the early plastic tip broke from pressure. Examples without the metal tip and the "21" clip are relatively rare.  There are also some examples of the grooved nylon barrel being mated to the "21" clip and the inverted clip being mated to smooth barrels without tips. One can only conjecture that this was an effort on the part of the factory to use up surplus parts from different series. Barrels and caps were all interchangeable during this period. and 3rd edition barrels (c. 1963 up) have been found fitted to the "21" caps because of the ease of attaching them. These barrels are of '''slightly smaller diameter'''.  Collectors have added these incorrect barrels because they were manufactured in several colors unavailable at the time. These colors demand higher prices for this edition of the Jotter. Before acquiring a "21" mode, one should establish that the attached barrel is the larger diameter if concerned about accuracy and authenticity.  It is suggested that the collector should acquire a sample of both sized refills and test the inside diameter of the barrel.  The newer and more colorful barrels will not accept the larger diameter refills.

During this period (1956–1970) a Jotter was introduced with a substantially larger diameter barrel. Most found to date have an unusual moss green barrel.  Black and white versions of the large diameter Jotter have also been found. This model was known as the "Industrial Jotter" as opposed to the standard diameter version known as the "Commercial Jotter". Parker's sales staff never liked the original Jotter because the grooves made advertising imprints on the barrel difficult, if not impossible, to print and required clip devices when sold for advertising purposes. They were pleased when the smooth barrel was introduced which appeared to allow advertising imprints.  However it was then found that imprinting on the smooth tapered barrel was equally difficult due to the taper of the barrel. Subsequently the marketing department successfully lobbied for a model with a larger diameter barrel which would make it possible to easily print corporate messages.  This larger diameter adversely affected the overall appearance of the pen, causing the pen to lose its svelte design.  The version was not popular with the staff or customers and was discontinued (after a short period of time) when Parker solved the problem of imprinting on the original tapered barrel. These industrial versions are seldom seen and can be recognized by the sharp taper at the end of the pen barrel. When found these pens command a substantial premium over the standard Jotters of the period.
* In 1957, the company launched the T-Ball refill, which contained reformulated ink and a textured tungsten carbide writing ball.   
* In 1958, the company added an arrow to replace the ball-clip design. The arrow has remained on all production Jotters since then. When introduced the arrow was without quills.  Shortly thereafter, the quills were introduced, making the plain arrow models somewhat rare and commanding a premium in the market place. These pens are not to be confused with the 50th anniversary pens introduced in 2004.
* At some point, the interior diameter of the Jotter was reduced and a new refill introduced. There are two barrel variations, the large diameter version and the smaller diameter version.  Some pens have been found with early caps fitted to the later small diameter barrels and represented as rarities. Additionally, there are several cap variations resulting from changing the imprints on the cap. The period from 1958 to 1973 saw many slight design changes, making it difficult for the collector to obtain a representative example of each production specimen.
* In 1965, the company introduced Jotter desk pens in both metal and metal-and-plastic versions.
* In 1973, the company flattened the dome-shaped plunger and placed an imprint of the Parker logo on the plunger.             
* In the 1980s, the company changed the inner cap threads from [[brass]] to plastic. At that time, date codes on the cap were introduced.
* In 2000, the plunger was modified to illustrate the new company logo. This is to be found mainly on UK versions, although a few pens manufactured in the USA have these buttons. 
* In 2004, the Jotter's Jubilee, the company released a number of special editions.<ref>https://unsharpen.com/pen/parker-jotter-premier-edition-sterling-silver-2004/ Parker Jotter Premier Edition</ref> The flat button was restored to its original rounded shape that it had prior to 1973 and was imprinted with the number '50' signifying  the pen's fiftieth anniversary of production. This button was used for only one year.  Several new colors were introduced and the special edition pens were attractively finished in sterling silver and lacquer or a new process, the name of which is unknown.  The plain anniversary clips have been seen attached to later barrels, and earlier and later plungers attached to later caps, creating even more variations. Earlier colors have been found with later caps indicating that Parker was cleaning out their old inventory
* In 2009 Parker again changed their logo to resemble the older arrow logo.  Plungers were revised and they no longer were imprinted with the corporate logo.
There is a series of 24''k'' gold-plated versions with plastic barrels. They have been found in several colors. There is another variation from England that has gold clips attached to stainless caps and plastic barrels with chrome tips. These are in addition to the traditional  versions with a gold clip and tip referred to as the 'GT' or Gold Top.  The factory also issued a number of variations using left-over inventory.

Today's Jotters are similar to the popular "ruggedized" version that first came out in 1954 when Parker salesmen stood on the nylon barrel to show its durability. Over 750 million Jotters have been produced since 1954 and production continued at Parker's plant in Newhaven, England, after being transferred there from Janesville, Wisconsin, USA, in 1999. Parker closed its factory in England late in 2010 and production was moved to Nantes, France. Jotters are now imprinted with "Made in France". Recently one was offered on eBay at an inflated value. As time progresses, the new variation will become available at more reasonable prices. Collectors can check the reverse of the packaging to determine if the Jotter is of French manufacture. Additionally, some Parker products are produced under license in India and China for consumption in South and East Asia. Jotters from India are commonly found for sale on eBay. Chinese production models are now seen in the large office supply stores.

In April 2016 Parker significantly updated the line, introducing a new core range and premium range. Both feature metal barrels, in a variety of colours, named after London Underground stations. Both ranges feature a new clip with an updated arrow design, while the premium range compliments this with more intricate designs on the cap portion of the pen.

At the same time, production of the pen moved to France from the United Kingdom, and the quality decreased significantly, noted by the lack of a ferrule near the nib of the pen, no Parker logo on the top of the pen, and a lighter and flimsier feeling body.