Sheaffer Prelude Signature 2012
by Jim Mamoulides, January 28, 2012
A new upscale addition to the Prelude line
The complete Sheaffer Prelude Signature line (left to right)
Palladium Plate with Engraved Imperial Pattern featuring Palladium Plate Trim
Silverplate with Engraved Snakeskin Pattern featuring 22K Gold Plate Trim
Gunmetal Ceramic with Engraving featuring Palladium Plate Trim
22K Gold Plate with Engraved Diamond Square Pattern featuring 22K Gold Plate Trim
Sheaffer has been introducing quite a few new products in the last year, expanding the Intensity and VFM lines with full fountain, rollerball and ballpoint writing modes and new finishes. Sheaffer also added a new tiny Prelude model, the Sheaffer Prelude Mini and also added to the 100 and 300 pen lines, with more models and fountain, rollerball and ballpoint pens added.
Sheaffer Prelude Signature advertising sell sheet
This year, the first new Sheaffer model announced is the new, upscale Prelude Signature Collection. We have not seen the samples yet, but the Sheaffer press photos make them look like more than simple finish additions, as all have deep cut engraving. The Prelude was introduced in 1997 and has been a workhorse best seller in the moderate price range for Sheaffer. Over the past fifteen years, the brass based Prelude has had many finishes, from lacquer to plated and has been offered with the most writing modes of any Sheaffer model, with pencil, ballpoint, rollerball, MPI (a ballpoint / highlighter dual pen), and four stainless steel fountain pen nib sizes, extra fine, fine, medium and broad.
Sheaffer Prelude Signature
Silverplate with Engraved Snakeskin Pattern fountain pen in gift box
With this new, more upscale Prelude, Sheaffer introduces a new "arrow" style stamped stainless steel nib with a version of the vintage "Sheaffer's" logo stamped on them. Parker collectors will immediately see the similarity with recent Parker nib designs. This will be a third version of the nib design, with a scrolled style being the most common, and a plainer "S" logo nib offered in the early 2000s. Sheaffer has not announced available nib grades, but current Prelude models offer fine, medium and broad. The cap top "jewel" also appears to have the Sheaffer logo stamped on it, replacing the previous pearlized insert. I personally think the two-tone gold plated nib looks really sharp.
Sheaffer Prelude Signature advertising sell sheet
There are four new models, all with retail prices higher than the current highest priced Prelude, the still available Prelude Fluted 22k Gold Plated Fountain Pen, which retails for US $155.00, now that Sheaffer has also announced price changes on many models beginning February 1, 2012. Interestingly, the Valor line is getting a lower price point for 2012, while many other lines are increasing in price.
Four new models
The new Prelude Signature Collection models are shown below.
9169 - Palladium Plate with Engraved Imperial Pattern featuring Palladium Plate Trim
- Fountain Pen $175.00
- Rollerball Pen $155.00
- Ballpoint Pen $150.00
Sheaffer Prelude Signature
Palladium Plate with Engraved Imperial Pattern fountain pen
9170 - Silverplate with Engraved Snakeskin Pattern featuring 22K Gold Plate Trim
- Fountain Pen $175.00
- Rollerball Pen $155.00
- Ballpoint Pen $150.00
Sheaffer Prelude Signature
Silverplate with Engraved Snakeskin Pattern fountain pen
9171 - Gunmetal Ceramic with Engraving featuring Palladium Plate Trim
- Fountain Pen $175.00
- Rollerball Pen $155.00
- Ballpoint Pen $150.00
Sheaffer Prelude Signature
Gunmetal Ceramic with Engraving fountain pen
9172 - 22K Gold Plate with Engraved Diamond Square Pattern featuring 22K Gold Plate Trim
- Fountain Pen $225.00
- Rollerball Pen $215.00
- Ballpoint Pen $205.00
Sheaffer Prelude Signature
22K Gold Plate with Engraved Diamond Square Pattern fountain pen
Sheaffer's own photos, shown here, are actually pretty nice. When we get them in, we'll post an update and full review article.
I thought the Sheaffer collectors and fans here would be interested in seeing these as they are not even on the Sheaffer website yet. I don't know when they will be out, but they are in the new catalog and price list.
Acknowledgement
All images used in this article are © Copyright 2012 Sheaffer Pen, a division of BIC USA Inc.
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