The Parker 51 is often described as 'the best pen ever made', it was often copied but never equalled. This is an outstanding example, it is a Custom pen featuring a rolled Gold cap, and has a Midnight Blue finish with a good, deep shine.
The colour is most attractive, it was only used on the American made pens. It is a very deep blue, a shade lighter than the Cedar Blue colour used on the earlier Vacumatic pens. Midnight Blue is not a common colour.
The rolled Gold cap is fitted with a 'short arrow' clip, pearl coloured end stud and engraved with:
'PARKER'. 1/10 12Ct.R.Gold'.
This indicates that the cap is one tenth Gold by weight.
The pen has been fully serviced and tested. The aerometric filling system works well and takes up a good amount of ink.
The 14 Ct. Gold nib is unusual in that it has a stub point, slightly left oblique. The Parker 51 hood arrangement precludes any flexibility so a standard nib will not offer any line variation. This nib gives a range of effects, depending on how it is used. I am an awful writer and wasn't trying to get any particular result in the writing sample but it just turned out slightly italic. I think someone with a decent hand could produce spectacular results.
At around seventy years old this is a remarkable top quality vintage pen. The colour and writing performencegive it just that little bit extra. The 51 is the first choice of many collectors as a daily user, it is totally reliable, stylish and very practical with a great deal of prestige.