Description:
Extremely Rare and Beautiful **Parker T1 Fountain Pen**
Inspired by the NASA moon missions of the late 1960s, Parker manufactured this exceptional writing instrument entirely out of titanium, the consummate aerospace metal. Whilst not sold as a "limited edition", the T1 was available for only a few short weeks in 1970 and then discontinued immediately thereafter. Hence, T-1s surviving in top condition are few indeed, and their value has steadily increased over the past twenty years.
Titanium is extremely difficult to work, and Parker never managed to get production costs down to a reasonable level. In fact, Parker lost a significant amount of money with each T1 that they sold.
This resulted not only from the excessive reject rate during production, but also from the cost of wear and breakage to the manufacturing machinery and tooling. Additionally, attaching the ink tip to the integral titanium nib-shell was an exceptionally difficult operation.
However, the T1s design is nothing less than breathtaking; and distinctive features include a nib adjustment screw on the underside of the shell as well as transparent red jewels / tassies at the end of the barrel and the top of the cap.
Condition: Excellent, with no dents or damage. Serviced and fully tested.
*********
Parker Pen Company
The Parker Pen Company was founded by George S. Parker in 1888. Dissatisfied with the pens available at the time, Parker's mission was to produce an eminently reliable pen. This tradition continued admirably in the decades that ensued, with the Company becoming the number one leader in writing instrument sales from 1920 through the 1960s.
Parker also continued to regularly revolutionize the fountain pen and all that accompanied it. In 1931 Parker launched Quink, an ink that did away with the need for blotters. This breakthrough also paved the way for Parker's launch in 1941 of the Parker 51, that would go on to become the most popular fountain of all times ($400,000,000 in sales over its 30 year lifespan).
The Parker Pen Company also came to epitomize prestige, as well as the highest standards of craftsmanship, technology and design. As such, Parker pens were frequently selected to sign important documents, including the Armistice following World War II and the INF Treaty between President Ronald Regan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987.
My
Basket
