Sheaffer Triumph Imperial
1995-6
About This Model
Imperials were Sheaffer’s main line pens in the 1960s, following the 1950s Snorkels. They covered a range of quality, but usually were Touchdown fillers and carried diamond inlaid nibs or Triumph conical nibs. As a series, the Imperials first appeared with the AS9 in 1960, a simple Touchdown pen in plastic but with a Triumph nib. In 1961, models V, VI, I and II appeared, their names following trim levels, not order of appearance. The IV and VI are very closely related to the PFM III and IV, differentiated only by the PFM's greater size. At the lowest level, I's were all plastic, with hooded tabbed nibs and plastic sac protectors. The IV's, on the other hand, had beautiful diamond-shaped 14K nibs and very nice Forticel bodies. The IV's and their 1964 Lifetime, made to commemorate Sheaffer's 50th birthday, are wonderful writers.
About This Pen
This pen, while a genuine black Imperial IV, is from Sheaffer’s 1990’s revival of the Imperials, a Model 2555 from 1995-6. also known as a Triumph Imperial. It looks like a 1960’s Imperial but feels different; a little lighter, the plastic feels more like plastic and less like resin; the inlaid 23K gold plated nib is a short diamond. And, it has a squeeze filler, since the Touchdown units of the original Imperials were long gone. The pen is almost unmarked, in excellent condition. These pens came in many different nib widths, but one seems to only see nibs like the one on this pen, smooth, fast, wet, full medium. A handsome pen that can be a workhorse. Give it a case to protect its finish?
This pen is not for sale.