Product Description
Type High-end modern fountain pen and mechanical pencil set.
Product Name Sonnet (this is the first version with the thin cap bands).
Manufacturer and Year Parker, France -- made in 1993 according to the date code (date code is a clear llL on the caps of both pen and pencil). The official launch of this model was in 1994, so these are some of the earliest Sonnets made.
Length The fountain pen is 5-1/4" and the pencil is just a tiny bit longer.
Filling System The pen takes Parker style cartridges, or you can fill it with bottled ink via the included Parker piston converter. The pencil takes 0.5mm leads, which it extends via the twist-click mechanism (you twist the cap piece extend lead one click). We'll include a small packet of leads.
Color Laque Firedance finish of black and red lacquer in a lovely pattern with gold plated trim.
Nib FINE 18k gold nib is smooth with perfect tipping, it's marked F on the feed. It has a little flexibility to it, the sort of springy-ness you find in modern nibs, not like vintage flex.
Condition New old stock condition, with a few light marks picked up in storage. There were no traces of ink in the nib suggesting that it hasn't been inked or dipped. There's some very light microscratching on both. The pencil is near perfect with just light microscratching on the lower barrel. No cracks, dings, dents, plating wear, or personalization on either pen or pencil. They're both working perfeclty.
We have no doubt of the authenticity as these were purchased from someone who worked for Parker-Waterman-Gillette in the late 1990s.
