The Parker 21 first saw the light of day in 1949. It is said that Parker, becoming fed up with other companies attempting to copy the Parker 51, decided that, as a company, they were best equipped to produce a '51 copy' at a competitive price and so entered the '51 copy' market themselves.
This set, comprising a fountain pen and pencil, is the 21 Super version, made from around 1955 into the 1960s. The 'halo' on the caps and the box was added in 1957 so this set would have been made after that date.
Finished in black, the pen and pencil have a showroom finish and ding free lustralloy caps with flawless chrome plated clips. The original 'pli-glass ink sac is completely clear and unstained, a sign of very little or no use. The pen may well never have been used but i hhave inked it, once, for testing purposes. The box lid has seen better days but is certainy original so should be kept together with the set and has performed its task of protecting the set over the last sixty odd years.
The pen is an 'Aerometric' filler, an adaptation of the one used in the Parker 51, it is reliable and easy to use. The Parker 'Octanium' nib produces an extra fine line, ideally suited to someone with a small 'hand' or for more detailed work. The pencil has a smooth rotary action operated by turning the cap.
The Parker 21 is a good pen, it writes well, is practical and well built with an impeccable pedigree and is the first choice of many collectors as an every day writer so it comes well recommended. Complete Parker 21 sets come along very infrequently, particularly in such extraordinary condition.