For your consideration, we are pleased to offer this exceptional 1975 Parker 61 Cloud Series Fountain Pen in the Cirrus pattern, produced in England and fitted with an 18K Medium gold nib. Preserved in Mint, New Old Stock, Never Inked condition, this remarkable example is a genuine time capsule, retaining the appearance and originality of a Parker 61 exactly as it was when it left the factory nearly five decades ago.
The Parker 61 Cloud Series represents one of the most distinctive later variations of the celebrated Parker 61. Introduced in 1975 with the Cirrus pattern, it was followed in 1976 by the Cumulus and Stratus patterns, making Cirrus the inaugural design in this three-pattern series. The combination of the unusual textured gold finish and the familiar streamlined Parker 61 silhouette gives the Cloud Series a character all its own and makes these later English-made examples particularly interesting to collectors of the model.
Unlike the earlier Parker 61s equipped with Parker's innovative capillary filling system, this later Cloud Series example utilizes a cartridge/converter filling system, providing considerably greater convenience for the modern user while retaining the elegant proportions and distinctive profile of the Parker 61. The included Parker converter has been tested with water and functions perfectly, and the pen will also accept cartridges.
The condition of this Cirrus is extraordinary. The cap and barrel are exceptionally clean and free from chips, cracks, dents, dings, scratches, wear, or repairs. The 1/10 12KT Rolled Gold finish is spectacular, retaining its original brushed appearance and crisp Cirrus pattern with no blemishes to detract from its presentation. The gold surfaces remain bright and exceptionally well defined. The cap lip is clearly stamped “PARKER Made in England”, together with the Parker crest and designation indicating the 1/10 12KT rolled gold construction. There are no monograms, engravings, or personalizations anywhere on the pen.
The slip cap engages securely and precisely on the original clutch ring, maintaining the positive fit expected of a Parker 61. Everything about this pen—from the crisp gold pattern to the untouched barrel and immaculate trim—reflects an example that has been remarkably protected from the handling and use that normally accumulate over nearly fifty years.
The Parker 61 measures approximately 5 1/4 inches capped and 5 5/8 inches posted, with a weight of approximately .86 ounces. It has the balanced, streamlined proportions that have made the Parker 61 such an enduring design.
The pen is fitted with a superb 18K gold Medium nib, measuring approximately .88mm with digital calipers. Remarkably, both the nib and pen remain completely uninked. This example was acquired from a collection of more than 150 Parker 61s, reportedly all never inked, and this pen has been carefully inspected and flushed without finding any evidence of previous use. I have deliberately chosen not to write with the nib, preserving this remarkable example in its original New Old Stock condition for its next owner.
The original Parker box and literature accompany the pen, completing an exceptional presentation. For a collector, the importance of these original materials should not be overlooked; they preserve not only the pen itself but also a tangible connection to the period in which this unusual Parker 61 was produced.
The Cirrus pattern is the first design of the Parker 61 Cloud Series, and finding one in this level of preservation is exceptionally difficult. Most surviving examples have experienced some degree of handling, surface wear, or use over the decades. This example is altogether different: the rolled gold finish remains pristine, the 18K nib has never touched ink, the cartridge/converter system remains unused, and the original box and literature are still present.
This is a particularly special Parker 61 for the collector who appreciates the less-common variations of Parker's long-running flagship design. The combination of the inaugural Cirrus Cloud Series pattern, English production, 1/10 12KT Rolled Gold finish, 18K Medium nib, original packaging, and genuine New Old Stock condition makes this an exceptional example of the later Parker 61.
We consider this Parker 61 Cirrus to be in Mint, New Old Stock, Never Inked condition. It is a beautifully preserved example of Parker's evolving design language and a remarkable piece of late-period Parker history—equally deserving of preservation in a serious collection or, for the fortunate new owner, a place of distinction in a fine writing arsenal collection.
