Bearing a patent number for 25th April 1911, the Parker 20.1/2. is one of the 'pre Duofold' pens, it's legacy is clear in the Parker Duofolds to be launched in 1921. The blind cap is imprinted '20 .1/2. ' The ring top and first button filler, as on this pen, was introduced in 1913 and, less than a year later, the button filler had become so popular that the whole Parker line up was redesigned and this version of the 20.1/2. was dropped.
The pen, constructed in black shased hard rubber, is in remarkable conditionthroughout. The chasing is still crisp and the pen shows none of the discolouration so often associated with hard rubber pens. The filling system has been overhauled and workks well.
The Lucky curve feed is intact, this is quite rare as the curve has usually been removed at some stage to make the pen easier to work on. Apparently Parker themselves were sometimes guillty of this practice with customer pens sent for repair. A new ink sac has been fitted, obscuring the curved part of the feed, but the photograph will be sent with the pen as proof of its existence.
The gold Lucky Curve nib is the original and correct No.2. It produces a medium line and has a good amount of flex. My scrawl does it no justice but anyone with a decent 'hand' would enjoy producing some impressive results.
Pre Duofold Parkers are amongst the most collectable of pens, a 20.1/2. Lucky Curve, all correct ring top in this condition comes along very rarely, it is a significant item in terms of the development of the Parker pen.