Parker Lady in Red. Intermediate Model. 1968.

The Parker '17' Lady was introduced into the Parker Duofold line in 1964 and replaced with the Parker Lady Standard in 1968. The same year the pen was redesigned to include a Parker 45 style clip, a cap band at the very end of the cap which extended inside the cap, and a slimmer barrel end. This pen is an intermediate model, it has the Standard barrel, the cap is inscribed, but it has the '17' style clip and cap band. It was only made for a short time in 1968 and is consequently an uncommon variant. Finished in red, the pen is in mint condition throughout, although I have inked it once for testing purposes. It has a factory finish with crisp imprints on the cap and excellent Gold filling to the clip and cap band. The nib is 14Ct. Gold, only the tip is visible under the Parker 51 style hood, but it is an almost cylindrical No.4. It writes with a firm, fine line, well suited to someone with small handwriting, or for more detailed work. Despite its small size, the Lady is quite comfortable in use, although the cap woulld need to be posted for most hands. The pen is clearly in collectable condition and, as an intermediate model, may well be of interest to someone seeking to complete a Parker Lady collecton, but it also a very practical and attractive vintage Gold nibbed pen that could well be pressed into regular service.