This Parker 51 Classic set, finished in Teal Blue, was made in England, in 1954/55. The pen carries a date code for the second quarter of 1955 and the pencil is stamped for the last quarter of 1954, batches of pens and pencils would have been matched as the set left the factory.
The 'Teal Blue' colour is much one of the most attractive and less common of the 51 colours, it is certainly blue but has a slight greenish tinge. It is, of course, named for the colour of the wing flash on the duck of the same name.
The set, comprising an aerometric filling fountain pen and a clutch pencil, is in first class condition throughout, the finish has a deep, lustrous shine and the lustralloy caps are ding free, a tiny mark onthe back of the pen cap, but the caps still have the original frosted coating.
The pen has been fully serviced and tested. The Aerometric, press bar, filling system is easy to use and works well. The 14 Ct. Gold nib has a medium to point and writes with a smooth, consistent line. Parker used the same process and machinery for making all 51 nibs but, as most of the work, including slitting the nib, was done by hand there is some variation between individulal nibs.
The pencil is a 'continuous feed', or 'clutch pencil', the lead is extended by pressing the cap and manually retracted.
The lining of the box has a couople of light age marks but it is in sound condition and probably original to the set.
The Parker 51 is, without doubt, the most successful pen ever made, it does, for once, really deserve the epithet 'iconic'. Although this is clearly of collectable quality, perhaps such a handsome and high performing set should be used and shown off!
Read a full Parker 51 review here.