Lucky Curve ladies pens similiar to the Duofolds but small. The Petite being even smaller.
In early 1927 Parker introduced the attractive slender and small ladies line pen nicknamed the Pastel. They were ment as a ladies alternative to the rather dull black Parker DQ (Duofold quality) and the Raven Black, in the low price range. The Pastel sold for $3.50 for the pens and $3.00 for the pencils. The Pastel very quickly became rather popular, much because of the bright and happy colours they were produced in. The colours were of course a result of Parker abandoning the the old hard rubber for the new plastic, known as "permanite".
The Pastel followed the Duofold in design, filling, mechanism, clip, attachment and general style. In short in every aspect, save size and colour.
The first colours were:
Magenta
Mauve
Naples blue
Beige grey
Coral
They all had a black band between the two gold-filled cap bands. Within a few months a sixth colour was added, the Green.
Contrary to other economy pens, Parker advertised the Pastel, mainly in women's magazines.
he name, Pastel was, inspired by the colours: "6 alluring color combinations — with a new moiré pattern that women adore". Parker had enhanced the Pastel look by adding small stripes to the body and cap (on all colours save the blue) in a moiré pattern, only to be re-designed again a few months later, the body lines were now broken. |