The Parker 17 was introduced in 1962. In 1964 the spectacular open 'beak nib' was replaced with a much smaller hooded arrangement, the price of Gold made the nib inviable. The 'Beaky' 17 only had a very short production so it is consequently quite a rare pen, this De Luxe version with the Parker 61 style cap is most attractive and is very hard to come by.
The pen has been fully serviced and tested, it is in excellent condition. The aerometric filling system works well and is simple to use. The 14 Ct. Gold nib is a masterpiece, it writes with a beautifully smooth broad line with a delightful soft feel giving a little line width variation.
The English made Parker Duofolds of this era were good, dependable pens but, apart from the different sizes, all looked very similar, some would say boring. Not so with this model, when the cap is removed, to reveal the extra large nib, which is strikingly attractive, and follows the curve of the section perfectly, a triumph of design. It is certainly a pen with character in abundance.
Read a full Parker 17 review here.