The Parker Pastel first appeared, in 1926, in solid colours with a single raised cap band, as in this pen. In early 1927 the band was replaced with two bands infilled with black and a moire effect was added. The 1st. generation pen had a very short production run, always a good sign for collectors.
The pen was intended to be a 'ladies pen' and was also produced as a ring top, this is the less common version featuring a washer clip.
At 111mm. capped and 134mm. posted, it is a small pen but is perfectly comfortable in the posted configuration. It is very much a scaled down Duofold in appearence.
Finished in Coral, the pen carries the clear barrel imprint:
Geo. S. Parker Lucky Curve Fountain Pen
Janesville. Wis. U.S.A. Pat.4-25-11
The 'Lucky Curve', imprinted in a 'banner' refers to the nib and feed. Later models did not have the Lucky Curve nib. The 'Lucky Curve', an innovative feed design patented in 1894, was to become one of the major contributors to Parker's success with the Duofold line and it's predecessors.
A button filler, the pen has been conservatively restored and tested, it is in good working condition. The ink sac had hardened with age and was replaced, the only component of the pen that was not present when the pen was made a hundred years ago.
The nib, which bears the imprint: Parker
Lucky Curve
Pen
P
is straight and well aligned, it writes with a smooth , fine to medium line and has enough flex to add character to the writing. With a little practice some excellent calligraphy effects could be achieved.
The Parker Pastel is a very rare, a first generation pen in such good condition really is extremely hard to find, partly because of the very short production run. The pen is clearly very collectable but perhaps such a practical and attractive pen should be used and shown off!