Let's get the details outta the way first. First firm "Gotta have it!" message gets it. Questions about the pen don't necessarily reserve it. PayPal preferred (credit cards are fine with me), but cash/check/money order is fine, too. Price includes shipping via first class mail in CONUS/Canada; international, upgraded shipping, insurance, or delivery by a fat guy in a toga is up to you.
(And no...those of you in Iowa can't pay me more to come to your house dressed in a toga. Well, maybe. We'll talk.)
Anyway, on to the fun stuff.
It's a Q4 1945 India Black Parker "51" with a Lustraloy cap. Of the 30 or 40 different 51s I've handled or owned, this is the single cleanest example that I've ever seen. I'm sure that somewhere in someone's desk drawer, there's a nicer one, but good luck finding it! It just came home from the Spokane Pen Spa (Tom Pike), and in the notes he included on this pen, he said (and I quote), "The "51" is a dream writer...nice M nib is super smooth..." and frankly, I would concur. If you were ever looking for "the" medium-nibbed Parker "51" vac, this is it. The finish is one of the glossiest blacks that I've ever seen, and the imprint is exceptionally sharp. You can even see the overstrike in the date code! No dings or dents in the cap, and the blue diamond is completely original
Tom has also very graciously extended a two-year warranty on his work to the new owner.
Here's some eye candy.
Asking price is $145, with $15 of the proceeds going to the Fountain Pen Network's new server fund (the rest will go to fund our international adoption). I know that the asking price might be a smidge higher than others you've seen, but frankly, FPN needs this new server (and working in technology, I know that servers don't come cheap, especially when you're on a donation-style budget). I want to do everything I can in order to help this website prosper and introduce others to this terrific hobby! I'll ship as soon as the details are taken care of. Thanks again, folks!
that's what I get for going into a meeting!!