The Imperial was added to the Parker 75 range in 1973 and remained in production until 1978. In terms of price, it was only very slightly below the Silver Crosshatch at the top of the 75 hierachy.
The Imperial is constructed in 22Ct, Gold plate over brass and is characterised by the pattern consisting of alternating groups of blank space and five closely spaced lines. This example is in mint condition throughout, the lines are sharply defined and the surface is superb, it shows none of the microscratches which are acquired though normal use.
The pen is fitted with the original ink converter and a new cartidge is supplied so it is ready to write in either configuration. The 1977 Parker catalogue shows that the pen was supplied new with a fitted converter and one new cartridge.
As with many new old stock pens, it came to me unboxed, as the pens were only matched with a box by the retailer at the point of sale. I have provided a new box which will serve well for transportation, protection, and display.
The Parker 75 Imperial appears not to have sold particularly well, possibly because of the high price, and is now very hard to find. A mint condition pen comes along very rarely and is highly colllectable.