IMO the wood is perfectly laid out California English, quartersawn and pretty much matching on both sides. It is a nice blank, but IMO this gun deserves a bit more. I think Circassian would be more appropriate because that's the type of wood that (I believe) came on original A-1 Parkers. For me California English looks super on a custom gun, but looks out of place on a high grade Parker. Also, for me California English means light colored wood with broad dark streaking with some fiddle and perhaps marbling thrown in.
Here are two pieces of California English that I think have a somewhat similar look to what is on the A-1
Here's a piece of Circassian that would look pretty good on it although it might be a tad too fancy:
