This Parker 51 Classic set, finished in Teal Blue, was made in England, in 1957. Date stamping on pencils ended in 1956 and a 'halo' was added to the caps in 1958, the pencil has a clear 'Parker Made in England' imprint with no date and the caps do not have the halo.
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 af 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 unmarked shine and the semi matt finish to the 'Lustralloy' caps has held up well.
The original 'moc croc' Parker box is in fair condition, the inside is clean and the hinges are good.
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, has a medium point and writes with a very smooth, consistent medium 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. This is a good un!
The pencil is a 'continuous feed', or 'clutch pencil', the lead is extended by pressing the cap and manually retracted.
The Parker 51 is, without doubt, the most successful pen ever made, it does, for once, really deserve the epithet 'iconoc'. 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.