Vintage Parker 61 1st Edition Rainbow Cap Fountain Pen

Exceedingly Rare and Beautiful **Vintage Parker 61 RAINBOW Cap Fountain Pen in Original Case**

In 1956, when Parker initially introduced their model 61 Mk 1, for a brief period they offered a limited edition bearing an applied metal shield inscribed "FIRST EDITION" to indicate these pieces' special status. These pens had LUSTRALOY caps... and in even more limited number... RAINBOW rolled gold caps. These beautiful pens were so-named for the distinctive rainbow of variously toned 14K rolled gold swirls applied to the pens’ caps.

The present example, an Actus model, sports alternating waves of deep red and green gold with an ebony barrel set off by the silver FIRST EDITION shield as well as silvery grey double jewel / twin tassie trim. A decorative metal gold arrow additionally is inlaid into the pen’s shell just above the nib.

Overall Length: 13.5 cm or 5 1/3”… Filler System: Capillary… Condition: Excellent, with original box, conservatively 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.