To ink or not to ink ?

[konstantinos_d]

My girlfriend has got me a wonderful Parker 61 Capillary Filler Rage Red Classic (chrome cap and transparent jewels) in a set with its mechanical pencil. Both are unused complete with papers, even the original price tag ($22.50 back in the 1950s). I 'll be posting some pics later of the pen itself. The question I 've been asking myself is whether I should use a pen (presumably a fragile one too) that has not been touched for nearly 50 years. What is your opinion on the subject ?

[JimStrutton]

You just gotta ask yourself, if you were given this 50 years ago, inking would not be a question. You would do it no question.

 

OK then so now today, wonderful gift, so what is going to give the giver and receiver the most pleasure? You can leave it in it's box in a display case and have people come from far and wide to gaze upon it. Or you can ink it up with some nice ink and use it and write some letters and notes with it and hopefully enjoy the way that pens were made in years past.

 

Treated with care, a 61 should last a long, long time.

 

So really it is about if it is to be a museum piece or something to use and enjoy?

 

Jim