The Parker 45, introduced in 1960, paved the way for the cartridge/converter filling system, now virtually ubiquitous in fountain pen design. This pen is a 'Classic' version, the very first to be produced.
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. There is no shrinkage of the nib section, a common issue with older 45s.
The pen was uninked until I ran a test, some new old stock pens don't write well. No issues here, it writes with a beautifully smooth medium line. The pen has been throughly flushed.
The factory 'chalk marks' are still fully intact. These were intended to be rubbed off by the retailer but some remained in place, intentionally or otherwise, they are very fragile and would wear rapidly if the pen was used.
The nib is made from solid 14Ct. Gold, and is appropriately stamped. I removed the nib to check this, as some later pens had Gold plated, unstamped nibs.
Due to its huge success the Parker 45 is not a particularly rare pen but a mint, unused example is very hard to find. It is, of course, a very practical and well made Gold nibbed fountain pen, impossible to find 'new' at anywhere near this price.