Product Description
Type Modern cartridge/converter filling fountain pen with hand-painted barrel.
Product Name Sonnet - Mark 1
Manufacturer and Year Parker, France -- 1996 (the cap band is marked with the date code Y).
Length 5-1/4"
Filling System Fills via Parker style cartridges or with a converter. A Parker piston converter is installed.
Color This gold and brown mottled finish was called "Chinese Laque Ambre." The trim is 23k gold plated. We've heard that this is one of the hardest to find finishes, and was only available in the first series of Sonnets between 1994-97. The design contains some Chinese characters which are written in red on the cap (see photos). They read, "自然来源" We understand that the definition implies that the pen is made of natural materials or is hand painted.
Nib FINE solid 18k nib is very smooth with lovely tipping. It is a bit springy. The section is labeled F. It's a good looking nib. (Note that this is a later style nib than the one originally on this model Sonnet.)
Condition Near Mint Condition, new old stock with some polishing marks on the trim. The lacquer is unblemished and the imprints are clear. There is no wear on the Chinese writing on the cap. No dents, dings, or scratches. It's a really lovely pen - looks almost like wood from a distance, but as you get closer, you can tell that it's something different. Holding the pen in the light and rotating it shows off the depth of the layers of lacquer, as well as the beautiful splashes of gold.