The Parker 88 was introduced, unsurprisingly, in 1988 although the first pens were available from the end of 1987. By 1989 the nibs were engraved with the Parker name, this pen has an unengraved nib so it can be dated to 1987/88, a first year pen.
The 'Laque' effect was achieved by coating the brass pen body with a number layers of coloured lacquer followed by a clear resin layer to give a very attractive and hard wearing finish. The early pens were advertised as part of the 'Place Vendome' collection and retailed at $50, not a cheap pen.
This is an exceptionally fine example of a Place Vendome 88, showing few, if any, signs of use. The barrel finished in Laque Blue with the barrel end and the section having a subtly different blue/green colour.
A cartridge/ converter filler, the pen is fitted with the original ink converter and a new cartridge is supplied so the pen is ready to write in either configuration. The box is original and is also in very good condition.