Massive 2000 Parker Ellipse Thick Lacquer and Black Resin Fountain Pen 18K 750 Gold M Medium Nib Made in France Item ID: PAR-047

Parker Ellipse Black Lacquer

• Manufacturer/Model: Parker/Ellipse Black Lacquer/France  
• Year of production: 2000-2002 
• Filling system: Standard Parker cartridges or converter (Piston converter included)
• Nib: Solid 18K 750 Gold, M Medium Size 
• Material: Thick Brass base with thick black lacquer finish; Black Resin Front Section; Thick 23k Gold Plated Trimmings   
• Length (pen closed): Oversize pen, 145mm closed; posted at 147mm; Thick pen 14mm @cap diameter  
• Condition and information:
One of the rarest Parker pens of the 2000s. This pen was made for little over two years and was launched in 2000 as a luxury pen that even at the time retailed for over $150 US which in today's money adjusted for inflation would cost approx. $230 US. The pen was very difficult to manufacture, the whole theme is a very organic floating shape with no sharp lines whatsoever. This made the pen very expensive and difficult to manufacture. Coupled with its high price, somewhat lesser demand for fountain pens, the pen did not sell well and thus it was discontinued relatively shortly after it was launched, making it an instant highly prized collectible. The precision of engineering and materials used are extraordinary. This was the era when Parker employed a super high precision manufacturing machines where tolerances were measured in 1/1000 of a millimeter. This is very evident on the front section where 2 rectangular like extrusions come out from the section and are spring loaded from the inside of the section to hold the cap secure. Before this technology this was done by an insert in the cap which would hold the section in place. This is one of only few pens that have a special cap on the back side of the feed. This would allow for air to get in and keep the nib wet via condensation, but also prevent any leaks thus preventing any ink stains on the user's fingers. Pen is very heavy with a great grip and feel in the hand. The whole pen and cap are made out of thick solid brass, and finished with very thick super shiny black lacquer. The only part made from black resin is the front section. The resin is easier to hold and grip, it is not cold to the touch, thus it provides for a softer feel in the hand, a more natural material than metal, this is why its made from resin as opposed to metal. This is also one of the rare pens where the difference in length between the cap posted or not are negligible (only 2mm), therefore whether the cap is posted or not, the pen is designed to remain balanced either way. The nib is solid 18K two tone gold, rated M for medium. As with all 18K gold, the nib feels soft and nice to write with, its not stiff even though its not flexible. Very easy to use, clean and maintain; the whole nib just comes off with gentle pull as well as the feed and the feed's cap. The pen is in mint condition with minimal to no signs of use, perfectly preserved. A true Parker masterpiece that was probably ahead of its time.