Sheaffer Imperial

Sheaffer Imperial

Sheaffer Imperial

Sheaffer Imperial

Sheaffer Imperial

 

 

Early Sheaffer Imperials 1961-1962
by Jim Mamoulides, December 31, 2001
Thanks to Frank Dubiel, Chee-Heng Yeong, Daniel Kirchheimer, and Patrick Van Hoof

Sheaffer Imperial

The Largest And Most Diverse Line Of Pens

Sheaffer introduced the new Imperial pen line to its sales force in December, 1960, along with the Compact Cartridge pen and the "Reminder" clip ballpoint. All of these new products followed the new angular Sheaffer profile, a design style established in 1959 by the introduction of the Sheaffer Pen For Men (or PFM). Some of the Imperial pen models are close enough in design and features that they actually look like slender PFMs and thus are often confused with their bigger siblings.

Sheaffer simplified the manufacture of the new Imperial by dropping the complex Snorkel filling system in favor of the simpler Touchdown system, a move that reduced the cost of the pen, though Sheaffer positioned the new pen in the premium price category, just below the PFM. Initially, the Imperial was Touchdown-only, but Sheaffer quickly followed with cartridge versions.

Sheaffer Imperial
Sheaffer Lifetime and Imperial Touchdown Pens c1961-1970

When the new Imperial line was introduced to dealers in January, 1961, Sheaffer was giving the biggest push to the Compact Cartridge pen, a new premium price cartridge only pen and the highest priced cartridge pen in the stable. Although not called an Imperial, it, too closely followed the PFM design and therefore has a definite family resemblance to the Imperial. Cartridge pens had previously been relegated to the popular price category, but the new Compact Cartridge pen broke through this barrier with a premium price offering. Fitted with a 14 karat gold nib, the top Compact Cartridge model priced at US $10.00, the same price as the PFM I, a member of the top Sheaffer line. This bold move opened the door for other premium priced cartridge pens, including later cartridge Imperials.

The first two Imperial models, introduced in 1961, were the Imperial IV, a White Dot model with a matching solid color molded plastic cap and barrel, and the Imperial VI, with the same molded plastic barrel, but given a polished stainless steel cap. Both models were given the royal treatment with a gold-filled clip and cap band and a 14 karat gold nib. The Imperial IV model strongly resembles the PFM III and the Imperial VI is very much the slimmed down sibling of the PFM IV.

The Imperial Line Grows

Sheaffer Imperial
Sheaffer Lifetime Advertisement 1964 - Scan Courtesy Frank Dubiel

In 1963, as part of the company's 50th Anniversary celebration, Sheaffer reintroduced it's famous Lifetime warranty, which it had discontinued in 1947. The White Dot models in the Imperial line were renamed Lifetime and Sheaffer distinguished them from the rest of the line by stamping the face of the clip and the nib with "LIFETIME." Interestingly, the Lifetime pens were cartridge only, and only the lower price models were given Touchdown fillers.

This new lower priced line, introduced in 1962 and made through1964, were known only by model number: 500, 800, and 1000, but because of their unique diamond shaped nibs and bulbous sections, collectors often call them "Dolphin" Imperials. The Dolphin pens were available as cartridge and Touchdown pens.

Collectors today will generally refer to any Imperial style pens as Imperials, and these came in a host of variations at many price points over the life of the line, including Touchdown versions from 1961 through the early 1970s, and cartridge and converter models available from the very first through the end of the 1990s. There are many Imperial variants that Sheaffer chose not to give the Imperial name, including the 1960 Imperial precursor called the Target, the 1961-1962 Compact Cartridge pens, the 1962-1964 "Dolphin" cartridge and Touchdown pens, the 1963-1964 Lifetime, and the 1970s Triumph pens. All of these pens certainly share the key Imperial design element: the angular PFM shape in a more slender package. As a result, many collectors class them all as Imperials, whether Sheaffer did or not.

Sheaffer Imperial
Late 1960s Sheaffer Triumph With "Arrowhead" Cutout Inlaid Nib c1970
With Cap From Sheaffer 800 c1962-1964

From the beginning, there were Imperial models fitted with many different nib types, the most notable being a smaller version of the trademark Inlaid nib introduced in the PFM. Imperials wear this nib in several different designs, including a PFM style diamond centered nib and an Inlaid "arrowhead" cutout nib. There were several non-Inlaid nib variations, including a truncated version of the Triumph conical nib, introduced on the Target, a semi-inlaid nib called the Stylpoint, as well as the diamond shaped inset nib in the "Dolphin" pens, a design intended to mimic the Inlaid nib with less nib material.

During the 1960s, many of these Imperial variants existed side by side, only adding to today's collector confusion of, "What is an Imperial, really?"

The First Imperial Models: 1961-1962

When introduced, the Imperial line followed the PFM by using Roman numeral model names. In odd Sheafferland thinking, the first models were the Imperial IV and VI, which closely resemble the PFM III and IV. For whatever reason, which I have been unable to unravel, Sheaffer did not align the Imperial model numbers with those of the PFM. A likely possibility is that the numbering was done based on trim level, and the Imperial line simply had a longer list of potential pens than the PFM. The eventual range of models was from Imperial I through VIII, but some of the Roman numbers apparently were not used.

Sheaffer frequently changed model names and features during the forty plus years of manufacturing Imperial type pens, including the very name of the line, making cataloguing these pen models a challenge. Just about every model year has something new. One consistent dating identifier can be found on pens with SHEAFFER'S stamped on the clip. These pens date from 1964 and earlier, when Sheaffer dropped the possessive form of the company name in all advertising and publications. This change occurred when the company was sold to Textron, and reflects the change from Sheaffer direct ownership to Sheaffer becoming a corporate brand.

After the Lifetime models were phased out, Sheaffer resumed the Roman numbering and Imperial name. In the 1970s, Sheaffer dropped the Imperial name in favor of Triumph. The 1990s revival of the Imperial was named Triumph Imperial, a merging of the two. Today, many collectors lump all these pens under the heading "Imperial."

The following list of Imperial versions compiles the early models that appeared from 1961-1962. This model system was interrupted in 1963-1964, when Sheaffer introduced the "Lifetime" pens, essentially renamed White Dot Imperials with "Lifetime" markings and a Lifetime guarantee. Sheaffer restored the Imperial name in 1965, dropping the Lifetime markings, and resumed the White Dot pens as Roman numeral models. This likely continued through at least 1966, when the Stylist line was introduced.

Sheaffer Imperial
Sheaffer Imperial I Pens:
Evergreen Green Touchdown / Dark Bluish Grey Cartridge Pen

Imperial I - The Imperial I is the oddball of the family. It is the only Sheaffer Touchdown pen that does not use a sac protector, opting to have the bulb shaped sac use the barrel of the pen for that purpose. The plunger is plastic, also unlike the usual metal tube plunger found on other Touchdown pens. The Imperial I is the sole Imperial fitted with an inset Stylpoint nib, similar to those found on certain cartridge pen models. It also has the thinnest cap band, a lip cover only 1/8 inch wide. Initially offered as a Touchdown pen only, cartridge versions exist, and were obviously made later.

Identification guide and features:

  • Molded plastic cap and barrel in solid colors including Black, Navy Blue, Evergreen Green, Dark Bluish Grey, and Burgundy

  • 1/8 inch wide gold filled cap band

  • Gold filled ear clip stamped "SHEAFFER'S"

  • Inset Stylpoint type nib of unhallmarked gold or gold plated stainless steel

  • Nib grades probably included fine, medium, broad, stub, and shorthand

  • Polished stainless steel trim ring

  • Section same color as barrel

  • About 5 1/8 inches long capped and 5 5/8 inches posted

  • Touchdown filling system or cartridge filling system

  • Retail price for the fountain pen was US $5.00, available with matching twist action pencil

Sheaffer Imperial
Sheaffer Imperial II Touchdown Burgundy

Imperial II - The Imperial II is one of two Imperial models that feature the short Triumph nib, also called "cylindrical nib" in some Sheaffer documents. This nib appeared on many Sheaffer pens, including the Cartridge models, the Target, the late Stylist, and the late Imperial and Triumph models. The frosted stainless steel cap has a chrome-plated clip with SHEAFFER'S stamped, and this same cap design later appears on the 500 "Dolphin" model. This model appears to have only been a Touchdown filler.

Identification guide and features:

  • Frosted stainless steel cap with polished 1/4 inch cap lip and plastic barrel in solid colors including Black, Navy Blue, Evergreen Green, Dark Bluish Grey, and Burgundy

  • Chrome plated stainless steel clip ear clip stamped "SHEAFFER'S"

  • Short unhallmarked palladium silver Triumph style conical nib

  • Nib grades probably included fine, medium, broad, stub, and shorthand

  • Section has three mounting points for the cap

  • Section same color as barrel

  • About 5 3/8 inches long capped and 5 5/8 inches posted

  • Touchdown filling system

  • Available with matching Reminder clip ballpoint pen

Sheaffer Imperial
Sheaffer Imperial III c1961 Sheaffer Catalog - Scan Courtesy Patrick Van Hoof

Imperial III - The Imperial III is the upscale version of the design offered in the Imperial II. The Imperial III gets an upgraded short palladium silver Triumph nib in a two tone look, with a gold plate mask, similar to the look of the earlier Snorkel Triumph nibs. All the trim is gold filled. The 1961 catalog presents this as a new model, but the Imperial III is basically a renamed Target, a model introduced in July, 1960. This same design, with a different nib section, becomes the 800 "Dolphin" model in late 1962. This model was introduced as a Touchdown filler only. The Imperial III was revived later in the 1960s as a White Dot pen with a plain gold filled clip.

Identification guide and features:

  • Molded plastic cap and barrel in solid colors including Black, Navy Blue, Evergreen Green, Dark Bluish Grey, and Burgundy

  • Gold filled 1/4 inch cap band

  • Gold filled ear clip stamped "SHEAFFER'S"

  • Short Triumph style conical two-tone palladium silver nib with gold plated mask, stamped "SHEAFFER'S" over "MADE IN U.S.A."

  • Nib grades probably included fine, medium, broad, stub, and shorthand

  • Section has three mounting points for the cap

  • Section same color as barrel

  • About 5 3/8 inches long capped and 5 5/8 inches posted

  • Touchdown filling system

  • Retail price for the fountain pen was US $8.75, matching twist action pencil US $4.00, and ensemble fountain pen and pencil set $12.75

Sheaffer Imperial
Sheaffer Imperial IV Advertisement 1961 - Scan Courtesy Frank Dubiel

Imperial IV - Of all Imperials, the Imperial IV is probably the best known and is probably the "top of mind" pen when Imperials are discussed. The Imperial IV is the image of the PFM III and was offered in sets with the PFM III and a matching ballpoint or pencil. One of the most popular Imperial models, Imperial IV pens are probably among the easiest to find, as they were made from the beginning, through the Lifetime period, and afterward. Every revival of the Imperial line over the last 40 years includes a model similar to the Imperial IV.

Identification guide and features:

  • Molded plastic cap and barrel in solid colors including Black, Navy Blue, Evergreen Green, Dark Bluish Grey, and Burgundy

  • Gold filled "loss-proof" innerspring clip with the Sheaffer White Dot at the top

  • 14 karat gold hallmarked Inlaid nib

  • Nib grades probably included fine, medium, broad, stub, and shorthand

  • Section has three mounting points for the cap

  • Section same color as barrel

  • About 5 3/8 inches long capped and 5 5/8 inches posted

  • Touchdown filling system, later versions offered with cartridge filling system

  • Available with matching pencil, or ballpoint, or set of three

  • Retail price for the fountain pen was US $12.50, matching twist action pencil US $5.00, and ensemble fountain pen and pencil set $17.50

Sheaffer Imperial
Sheaffer Imperial VI Touchdown Black

Imperial VI - The Imperial VI brought the subtle charm of the PFM IV to the Imperial line. Often mistaken for a chrome plated cap, the highly polished white metal cap is actually stainless steel, and surprisingly heavy. Sheaffer began using stainless steel caps on pens in the 1940s and up until 1959, any White Dot pen with a stainless steel cap was called a Sentinel. The PFM VI is less common than the IV or the VIII and is prized by many collectors. The Imperial VI model was continued as a Lifetime pen and revived shortly afterward.

Identification guide and features:

  • Polished stainless steel cap and molded plastic barrel in solid colors including Black, Navy Blue, Evergreen Green, Dark Bluish Grey, and Burgundy

  • Gold filled "loss-proof" innerspring clip with the Sheaffer White Dot at the top

  • 14 karat gold hallmarked Inlaid nib

  • Nib grades probably included fine, medium, broad, stub, and shorthand

  • Section has three mounting points for the cap

  • Section same color as barrel

  • About 5 3/8 inches long capped and 5 5/8 inches posted

  • Touchdown filling system, later versions offered with cartridge filling system

  • Retail price for the fountain pen was US $17.50, matching twist action pencil US $7.50, and ensemble fountain pen and pencil set $25.00

Sheaffer Imperial
Sheaffer Imperial VIII Touchdown Black (Top) and Sheaffer PFM V Black (Bottom)

Imperial VIII - The Imperial VIII was the top of the line of the plastic barrel Imperials and the little brother to the PFM V, the top of the PFM line. Like the PFM V, the Imperial VIII has a gold filled cap with a five line and blank pattern and a plastic barrel. The PFM V has a gold filled plate on the end of the plunger that the Imperial VIII lacks. Like the Imperial IV and VI, the Imperial VIII model continues through and after the Lifetime period.

Identification guide and features:

  • Gold filled cap with five line and blank pattern and molded plastic barrel in solid colors including Black, Navy Blue, Evergreen Green, Dark Bluish Grey, and Burgundy

  • Gold filled "loss-proof" innerspring clip with the Sheaffer White Dot at the top

  • 14 karat gold hallmarked Inlaid nib

  • Nib grades probably included fine, medium, broad, stub, and shorthand

  • Section has three mounting points for the cap

  • Section same color as barrel

  • About 5 3/8 inches long capped and 5 5/8 inches posted

  • Touchdown filling system, later versions offered with cartridge filling system

  • Available with matching pencil, or ballpoint, or set of three

Sheaffer Imperial
Sheaffer Imperial Triumph c1961 Sheaffer Catalog - Scan Courtesy Patrick Van Hoof

Imperial Triumph - In a departure from the PFM line, Sheaffer offered an all gold filled Imperial. This pen departed from the Roman numbering and reverts to the earlier Sheaffer practice of named pens. Like the Snorkel pen line, Sheaffer named the all gold filled model the Triumph. In every subsequent revival of the Imperial there is an all gold filled model.

Identification guide and features:

  • Gold filled cap and barrel with five line and blank pattern

  • Gold filled "loss-proof" innerspring clip with the Sheaffer White Dot at the top

  • 14 karat gold hallmarked Inlaid nib

  • Nib grades probably included fine, medium, broad, stub, and shorthand

  • Black molded plastic section has three mounting points for the cap

  • About 5 3/8 inches long capped and 5 5/8 inches posted

  • Touchdown filling system, later versions offered with cartridge filling system

  • Available with matching pencil

Imperial Masterpiece - As with the Snorkel line, Sheaffer crowned the Imperial line with a solid 14 karat gold model, and gave it the Masterpiece name reserved for the top pen in the line. Sheaffer had skipped an "official" Masterpiece model with the PFM, but revived it with the new Imperial pens. The following Lifetime pen line kept a Masterpiece pen in the stable.

Identification guide and features:

  • Solid 14 karat gold hallmarked cap and barrel with five line and blank pattern

  • Solid 14 karat gold hallmarked "loss-proof" innerspring clip with the Sheaffer White Dot at the top

  • 14 karat gold hallmarked Inlaid nib

  • Nib grades probably included fine, medium, broad, stub, and shorthand

  • Black molded plastic section has three mounting points for the cap

  • About 5 3/8 inches long capped and 5 5/8 inches posted

  • Touchdown filling system, later versions offered with cartridge filling system

  • Available with matching pencil

Performance

I focused this review on an Imperial IV, the quintessential Imperial pen. The test pen was fitted with a very smooth fine nib. A very lightweight pen, the Imperial IV is full size, at 5 3/8 inches long capped and 5 5/8 inches posted, but very slender in the hand.

Sheaffer Imperial
Sheaffer Imperial IV c1961 Sheaffer Catalog - Scan Courtesy Patrick Van Hoof

The plastic bodied Touchdown pen is a lightweight capped or uncapped. A big contrast to the all-metal pens sold today. This is a light pen. Perhaps because of this, the Imperial IV is well balanced in the hand either capped or posted, and zings along the page with little effort. This is a good pen for people who easily tire from a heavy pen.

The fit and finish is excellent, there is no sign that this pen was intended as a lower end model. There seems a little less pen here compared to the Snorkel and PFM that proceed it, but a lot of that is due to the simpler mechanism. Cartridge Imperials are numbingly simple pens. The Sheaffer "loss-proof" spring-loaded clip is a nice touch that goes back to the 1940s and makes the pen nice and secure in the pocket.

The Touchdown is simple to use and the pen fills very easily with one downstroke. The Touchdown is fun to use, even thought the pen needs to be wiped after filling. Too bad Sheaffer never fit a Snorkel on these pens.

Sheaffer Imperial
Sheaffer Imperial VIII c1961 Sheaffer Catalog - Scan Courtesy Patrick Van Hoof

The fine nib is very smooth and writes with a nice, even line. The tip is slightly upturned and has a nice sweet spot. The nib is firm, but I have tried other Imperials that have a bit of give in the nib that is quite nice and expressive. This is usually found in the wider nib pens.

Imperials are great everyday pens. The Touchdown is very easy to repair and the cartridge pens are usually ready to write as found. Imperials aren't the highly sought after treasures of the pen world, but if one is looking for a great daily user pen at very reasonable prices, an Imperial makes a good companion. Where the lower end Imperials are not especially sought after or expensive, the Imperial VI and VIII command decent premiums, while the Triumph and solid gold Masterpiece pens will command a real premium. A great pen to add to your collection. Definitely try to find a Touchdown model, and if you are looking for an "example" pen, focus on an Imperial IV or VI.


Acknowledgement

Thanks to Frank Dubiel for scans and additional information on the Imperial Line. Frank was the inspiration for not only this article, but much of my interest in Sheaffer pens. He hated the first version of the article and pointed out many flaws that led to my building up my collection of Sheaffer catalogs and ephemera. I learned a lot from Frank and miss his pointed, direct, yet caring help. Thanks to Chee-Heng Yeong for additional information on the Imperial VI. Special thanks to Daniel Kirchheimer for supplying scans of the Sheaffer 1963 catalog. Thanks to Patrick Van Hoof for the c1961 Sheaffer catalog scans.

Comments on this article may be sent to the author, Jim Mamoulides
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