The Parker 17 was introduced in 1962. In 1964 the spectacular open 'beak nib' was replaced with a much smaller hooded arrangement, the price of Gold made the nib inviable. The 'Beaky' 17 only had a very short production so it is consequently quite a rare pen, this De Luxe version with the rolled Gold cap is very hard to come by.
The pen has been fully serviced and tested, it is in excellent condition. The aerometric filling system works well and is simple to use. The 14 Ct. Gold nib is a masterpiece, it writes with a beautifully smooth and connsistent medium to broad line with a delightful amount of flex, not exceesively soft but enough to obtain good line variation in the right hands.
The English made Parker Duofolds of this era were good, dependable pens but, apart from the different sizes, all looked very similar, some would say boring. Not so with this model, when the cap is removed, to reveal the extra large nib, which is strikingly attractive, and follows the curve of the section perfectly, a triumph of design. It is certainly a pen with character in abundance.
Read a full Parker 17 review here.