The Parker 75 Perle was one of the prestigious 'Place Vandome' collection, made in Meru, France. This is a superb example carrying a date code for 1988.
The pen is 23 Ct. Gold plated over a brass construction. The word ' Perle' is roughly translated as 'beaded', referring to the pattern of finely engraved lines with regularly spaced indentations which appear as beads. It is an outrageously attractive finish.
In the late 1980s the thin gold ring was added to the section and the section was changed from a sculpted three sided contour to a cylindrical shape with the grip part reduced to a smaller 'teardrop' shape, as on this pen.
This change to the shape was not simply a change of look, or a money saving exercise, but a significant improvement in the ink delivery system. To accommodate a Parker 51 style ink collector, or 'governor', as Parker called it, the section needed to be cylindrical. This meant that the triangular section had to be replaced with a tubular shape, the grip 'teardrop' was added to continue to facilitate the advantages of a rotating nib.
The condition of the pen suggests that it has seen very little use, it has an excellent surface and the engraved lines are crisp and sharp. It is fitted with the original screw type ink converter and a new ink cartridge is supplied so the pen is ready to write in either configuration.
The high quality presentation box is new, it will serve well for transport, protection, and display.
The 'Perle' 75 is similar to the 'Milleraies' but it has the added attraction of the beads, often known as 'teardrops'. It is one of the less common of the Place Vendome finishes and is highly collectable.