The Parker 45 was introduced in 1960 and paved the way for the cartridge/converter filling system, now virtually ubiquitous in fountain pen design.
This example is in totally mint condition and is supplied in the original box, also as new, complete with ink converter and two unused ink cartridges. Finished in red, with a 'Lustralloy' cap and chrome trim, it is a handsome, good sized pen carrying a date code for the first quarter of 1988,
The pen is immaculate and was uninked until I ran a test, as I noted that the pen has a stub nib. This was offered as an option for a time but rarely taken up. A stub point is similar to an italic in that it gives a broad vertical and narrow horizontal line, but the stub has more rounded corners making it more 'forgiving' and easier to use. The pen writes well and gives good line variation naturally with no 'conscious effort' from the user. someone with a decent hand could obtain great calligraphic results.
The pen is fitted with the original Parker slide converter and two new ink cartridges are provided so the pen is ready to write in either configuration. The box and leaflet are also original and in mint condition.
Due to its huge success the Parker 45 is not a particularly rare pen but a mint, unused and boxed example is very hard to find. It is, of course, a very practical and well made vintage fountain pen with the added attraction of the non standard nib.