The English made Parker 51 Aerometric was released on 15th April 1950. This pen carries a clear date code for the first quarter of that year, indicating that it was one of the first batch of '51' Aerometrics produced in England.
The filler sleeve is made from polished chrome and carries the instruction:
'Press ribbed bar firmly 6 times'
The requirement for 6 presses was changed to 4 presses at the end of 1949 but these changes didn't happen overnight as all the old stock needed to be used.
The pen has been fully serviced and tested, it is in first class condition throughout. Finished in 'Navy Grey', it has a showroom surface and, unusually for a '51', a clear barrel imprint showing the date '0' surrounded by three dots.
The date stamp used for each year started with three dots at the beginning of the year and one dot was removed at the end of each quarter so that Q1 had 3 dots, Q2 2 dots, Q3 1 dot and Q4 no dots. This pen was therefore made between January and March 1950.
The 'Lustralloy' cap is ding free and has a good surface. It carries the correct chromed 'long arrow' clip and pearl coloured cap stud.
The Aerometric filling system works well and the 14Ct. Gold nib writes with a smooth, fine line. The hooded nib design of the '51' precludes any flexibility in the nib but Parker managed to achieve a pleasing 'soft' feel, even on fine nibs.
When the Aerometric model was first introduced in America Kenneth Parker delayed the release of any advertising material in order to ensure that the Vacumatic pens that had already been made were sold first. The english Aerometric was released fifteen months after the American pen but, presumably the English company faced the same dilemma.
The Parker 51 went on to become the best selling pen of all time and can be said to have achieved iconic status in the true sense of the word. This pen is an unusually fine example of a narrow 'time slice' in the history of the Parker 51.