Sheaffer
Triumph Imperial 1995-1998
by Jim Mamoulides, September 25, 2004
Reintroduction Of The 1960s Classic Sheaffer
Sheaffer reintroduced the classic Imperial line in 1995 as the "Triumph Imperial." The 1995 catalog describes the revived pen line as "one of the most popular and individual designs from Sheaffer." A true statement if there ever was one.
Sheaffer Triumph Imperial Deluxe 1995-1998
The now familiar profile of this pen was first introduced in 1959 when Sheaffer launched the PFM, or Pen For Men, a completely new design that moved Sheaffer away from the streamlined pen design that was a strong visual company hallmark since the introduction of the Balance pen in 1929. This new, large profile pen introduced a new, more angular look, with flat, squared off ends, a bold bar-shaped clip, and a striking, diamond shaped inlaid nib. The sharp edges and angles set the tone for Sheaffer pen introductions in the 1960s and laid the groundwork for Sheaffer designs through the present date.
Sheaffer quickly applied this new design theme to new pen lines, announcing five new products with this new look at the December, 1959 national sales meeting. All of these pens will be recognizable to current collectors: two Reminder clip ballpoints, the Compact Cartridge Pen, and the Imperial IV and VI, the first pens to carry the Imperial name. These first Imperials were both Touchdown fillers, and were available to dealers in January, 1960. The Imperial IV was an all-plastic pen and the Imperial VI had a plastic barrel and a polished stainless cap. Both had gold-filled trim and 14 karat gold nibs.
Sheaffer Triumph Imperial Brushed Chrome / Burgundy Reminder Clip Ballpoint
1995-1998
The new Triumph Imperial continued Sheaffer's revival and update of vintage designs, including the Snorkel inspired Crest, the 1920s inspired Connaisseur, and early overlay inspired Nostalgia. Attaching the Triumph name to the new Imperials is an interesting use of another classic Sheaffer trademark that may be jarring to vintage collectors, as Triumph was the name introduced in 1942 with the conical sheath nibbed pens, a design Sheaffer repeatedly used ever since, including the Crest.
Detail Of Sheaffer Triumph Imperial Deluxe Showing Nib Stamping And Crown On
Cap Lip
The gold electroplate versions of the Triumph Imperial also revive the crown logo on the cap lip, a nod to the Sovereign vermeil and sterling silver Imperials of the late 1960s and 1970s.
Triumph Imperials were introduced as cartridge / converter pens, fitted with Sheaffer's squeeze converter, and packaged in Sheaffer's premium red leatherette box, as with the higher line pens. Sheaffer also offered the chrome trim models in hang card blister packs and paper boxes with no converter, as trade and high volume retail packages.
Sheaffer Triumph Imperial Brushed Chrome / Green In UK Market Blister
Pack 1995-1998
This modern Imperial fit into the Sheaffer line as the entry level fine pen, below the Fashion line. It was offered in a broad variety of models, defined and priced by trim level. All fountain pens were available, depending on model, with plain or 23 karat gold electroplated nibs. A matching capped rollerball and Reminder Clip ballpoint were available for each model. Interestingly, no pencil was offered.
Models
In Sheaffer catalogs, the Triumph Imperials are divided into two groups, the chrome trim models and the 23 karat gold electroplate trim models. Although chrome trim identifies the entry level pens, there is no intended quality difference among any of the pens. As with many earlier Sheaffer lines, the essential features are consistent throughout, with the principal difference being choice of trim level.
All nib units are interchangeable, all have black sections with stainless steel base nibs, and differ only as to 23 karat gold electroplated plated or not. The plastic barrels also interchange, and the color choices were identical except for some later models where specific colors were introduced only to certain trim pens.
Although Sheaffer uses the term "chrome" for the white metal on some models, the metal trim, cap, and barrels appear to be polished or brushed stainless steel. The 23 karat gold electroplated trim models were intended as upscale, entry level fine pens, and on the metal cap pens, have better appointments, such as engraving.
Triumph Imperial
The basic Triumph Imperial was an all plastic pen with chrome accents. This was the entry-level pen to Sheaffer's fine pen lines. It's lightweight, and the plastic seems a little lighter than the 1960s all plastic pens. Priced moderately higher than, and better appointed than the school pen lines. A classic look at a modest price. Sold both in the upscale red leatherette Sheaffer presentation box, with converter and two cartridges, or in volume paper and blister pack packages as a cartridge only pen for about US $5.00 lower.
Sheaffer Triumph Imperial Black With Reminder Clip Ballpoint 1995-1998
Identification guide and features:
Plastic cap and barrel in solid colors
Available colors (by model number) were Black (2330), Burgundy (2331), Blue (2332), and Green (2333) - 1995-1996
Later colors included Ivory White (2334) 1998
3/8 inch wide chrome or stainless steel cap band
Chrome or stainless steel innerspring clip, with Sheaffer's White Dot at top, and "SHEAFFER" and "USA" on either side
Inlaid stainless steel nib, stamped "SHEAFFER" sometimes with "USA"
Seven nib grades included extra-fine, fine, medium, broad, stub, left oblique, and right oblique
Black section
About 5 1/2 inches long capped and 5 3/4 inches posted
Not listed in the 1997 White Dot catalog
Lifetime guarantee
Cartridge / converter or cartridge only
Retail price for the pen was US $18.50, matching capped rollerball pen was US $12.50, and matching Reminder Clip ballpoint pen was US $6.50 in the1995-1996 catalogs
Sold on blister cards and paperboard boxes
Sheaffer Triumph Imperial Black With Chrome Trim In Visible Box 1995-1998
Triumph Imperial With Brushed Chrome Cap
Adding a brushed chrome cap made the basic Triumph Imperial a more substantial pen with more heft at a modest price premium. The bright clip stands out from the more muted cap. The cap is unmarked. The barrel and section are identical to the all plastic model.
Sheaffer Triumph Imperial Green / Chrome Cap 1995-1998
Identification guide and features:
Brushed chrome cap
Plastic barrel in solid colors
Available colors (by model number) were Black (2440), Burgundy (2441), Blue (2442), and Green (2443)
Later colors included White (2445) 1998
Chrome innerspring clip, with Sheaffer's White Dot at top, and "SHEAFFER" and "USA" on either side
Inlaid stainless steel nib, stamped "SHEAFFER" sometimes with "USA"
Seven nib grades included extra-fine, fine, medium, broad, stub, left oblique, and right oblique
Black section
About 5 1/2 inches long capped and 5 3/4 inches posted
Lifetime guarantee
Cartridge / converter
Retail price for the pen was US $20.00, matching capped rollerball pen was US $13.50, and matching Reminder Clip ballpoint pen was US $7.50 in the 1995-1997 catalogs
Sold on blister cards, in paperboard boxes, and in red gift boxes
Sheaffer Imperial Chrome And Plastic / Chrome Pens - Sheaffer 1995 Catalog
Triumph Imperial Chrome
The all brushed chrome Triumph Imperial is the top chrome trim model and makes a strong statement of durability and strength. It's a much heavier pen than the other models due to the all metal construction. Interestingly, the metal barrel is an overlay onto a plastic core, which allows the cap to fit flush with the barrel when capped. This adds to the much more substantial feel of the pen. Neither the cap nor barrel have markings.
Sheaffer Triumph Imperial Brushed Chrome 1995-1998
Identification guide and features:
Brushed chrome cap and barrel (model 2444)
Chrome innerspring clip, with Sheaffer's White Dot at top, and "SHEAFFER" and "USA" on either side
Inlaid stainless steel nib, stamped "SHEAFFER" sometimes with "USA"
Seven nib grades included extra-fine, fine, medium, broad, stub, left oblique, and right oblique
Black section
About 5 1/2 inches long capped and 5 3/4 inches posted
Lifetime guarantee
Cartridge / converter
Retail price for the pen was US $22.00, matching capped rollerball pen was US $15.00, and matching Reminder Clip ballpoint pen was US $10.00 in the 1995-1997 catalogs
Sold in red gift boxes
Imperial IV Or Triumph Imperial
The Imperial IV is the basic Triumph Imperial upgraded with all 23 karat gold electroplate appointments. The 1995 catalog revives the Imperial IV name, first used on the original Imperial line, introduced in 1961 as a Touchdown filling pen. Early Imperials had color coordinated sections, where the revival Imperial IV has a black section. In the 1996 catalog, the line is referred to simply as the Triumph Imperial, as the all plastic and chrome trim pens are dropped from the line.
Sheaffer Imperial IV Green (Top) And Blue - Detail From Sheaffer 1995 Catalog
Identification guide and features:
Plastic cap and barrel in solid colors
Available colors (by model number) were Black (2555), Burgundy (2556), Green (2558), and Blue (2557) - these colors have black sections
Cadmium yellow (2664), Emerald Green (2663), Ultramarine Blue (2662), and Flame Red (2661) "Color Palette" colors were introduced and added to the line in 1996 - these colors included color matched sections
3/8 inch wide 23 karat gold electroplated cap band
23 karat gold electroplated innerspring clip, with Sheaffer's White Dot at top, and "SHEAFFER" and "USA" on either side
Inlaid 23 karat gold electroplated stainless steel nib, stamped "SHEAFFER" and sometimes "USA"
Later production nibs are stamped "SHEAFFER" over "23K GOLD" over "ELECTROPLATE"
Seven nib grades included extra-fine, fine, medium, broad, stub, left oblique, and right oblique
About 5 1/2 inches long capped and 5 3/4 inches posted
Lifetime guarantee
Cartridge / converter
Retail price for the pen was US $35.00, matching capped rollerball pen was US $25.00, and matching Reminder Clip ballpoint pen was US $16.00 in the 1995-1997 catalogs
Sold in red gift boxes
Triumph Imperial Deluxe
Like the Imperial IV, the Triumph Imperial Deluxe recalls the early 1960s Imperial VIII, an upscale pen with a 14 karat gold nib and sold in Touchdown and cartridge / converter versions. The Imperial Deluxe is well appointed with a deeply engraved cap that is marked with the Imperial Crown, another 1960s Imperial revival.
Sheaffer Triumph Imperial Deluxe 1995-1998 With Presentation Box
Identification guide and features:
23 karat gold electroplated cap engraved in a repeating pattern of four parallel lines and a blank panel
Plastic barrel available in Black only (model 2770)
23 karat gold electroplated innerspring clip, with Sheaffer's White Dot at top, and "SHEAFFER" and "USA" on either side
Inlaid 23 karat gold electroplated stainless steel nib, stamped "SHEAFFER" often with "USA"
Later production nibs are stamped "SHEAFFER" over "23K GOLD" over "ELECTROPLATE"
Seven nib grades included extra-fine, fine, medium, broad, stub, left oblique, and right oblique
Black section
About 5 1/2 inches long capped and 5 3/4 inches posted
Lifetime guarantee
Cartridge / converter
Retail price for the pen was US $60.00, matching capped rollerball pen was US $40.00, and matching Reminder Clip ballpoint pen was US $30.00 in the 1995-1997 catalogs
Sold in red gift boxes
Triumph Imperial Palladium
The all palladium electroplate Triumph Imperial gives the all-metal pen a bright finish from the platinum family. Like the Imperial Chrome, the metal barrel is an overlay onto a plastic core, which allows the cap to fit flush with the barrel when capped. This adds a much more substantial feel to the pen.
Identification guide and features:
Palladium electroplated cap and barrel (model 2780)
23 karat gold electroplated innerspring clip, with Sheaffer's White Dot at top, and "SHEAFFER" and "USA" on either side
Inlaid 23 karat gold electroplated stainless steel nib, stamped "SHEAFFER" often with "USA"
Later production nibs are stamped "SHEAFFER" over "23K GOLD" over "ELECTROPLATE"
Seven nib grades included extra-fine, fine, medium, broad, stub, left oblique, and right oblique
Black section
About 5 1/2 inches long capped and 5 3/4 inches posted
Lifetime guarantee
Cartridge / converter
Retail price for the pen was US $70.00, matching capped rollerball pen was US $45.00, and matching Reminder Clip ballpoint pen was US $32.50 in the 1995-1997 catalogs
Sold in red gift boxes
Triumph Imperial Gold
Sheaffer Imperial Gold Detail
The all 23 karat gold electroplate Triumph Imperial is the top model and presents a rich, luxurious statement. It continues the well appointed engraved look of the Imperial Deluxe and recreates the look and feel of the all gold-filled Imperials from the 1960s and early 1970s. Like the Imperial Chrome and Palladium, the metal barrel is an overlay onto a plastic core, which allows the cap to fit flush with the barrel when capped, giving the pen a very substantial feel in the hand.
Sheaffer Imperial Gold - Detail From Sheaffer 1995 Catalog
Identification guide and features:
23 karat gold electroplated cap and barrel engraved in a repeating pattern of four parallel lines and a blank panel (model 2797)
23 karat gold electroplated innerspring clip, with Sheaffer's White Dot at top, and "SHEAFFER" and "USA" on either side
Inlaid 23 karat gold electroplated stainless steel nib, stamped "SHEAFFER" often with "USA"
Later production nibs are stamped "SHEAFFER" over "23K GOLD" over "ELECTROPLATE"
Seven nib grades included extra-fine, fine, medium, broad, stub, left oblique, and right oblique
Black section
About 5 1/2 inches long capped and 5 3/4 inches posted
Lifetime guarantee
Cartridge / converter
Retail price for the pen was US $75.00, matching capped rollerball pen was US $50.00, and matching Reminder Clip ballpoint pen was US $35.00 in the 1995-1997 catalogs
Sold in red gift boxes
Performance
I tried a spectrum of modern Triumph Imperials, fitted with fine, medium and broad nibs. All were exactly the same size, as would be expected, 5 1/2 inches long capped and 5 3/4 inches posted. As the pens represented a number of different combinations of materials, they varied considerably in weight and feel in the hand. The plastic bodied pens were very lightweight uncapped. Posting the plastic caps did not change this feeling much. Posting pens that had the much heavier metal caps made a big difference, giving good weight to the pen, but did not unbalance the pen while writing. The all metal Imperial Chrome pen seemed to be better balanced posted than not.
The choice is going to come down to how much weight you like in the hand. This will determine writing capped or posted and which combination of plastic and metal is the most comfortable. There is a big difference between writing with an unposted plastic pen and a posted all-metal pen. A very noticeable difference. One is almost not there, the other is very present.
Sheaffer Triumph Imperial Green / Chrome Cap Ready For A Cartridge
The best appointed of the test lot was the Imperial Deluxe and the most durable was the all stainless Imperial Chrome. Though there is nothing wrong with the all-plastic pens, these seemed the most substantial and best made throughout. Maybe its a perception thing. The Imperial Chrome, with its plain stainless cap and barrel, is very utilitarian, but it feels like a solid pen that could knock around all day with no worries. The two lowest chrome trim models, though well made, seemed, well, cheap. All the clips on these pens sport the strong Sheaffer innerspring, making the pens easy to slip on, even thick fabric. It also makes the all plastic pen seem a little nicer.
The squeeze converter is simple enough, and fills the pen easily. Stick the nose in the bottle, pump a few times, wipe, and write. Using Sheaffer cartridges is even easier. Unscrew the barrel, drop it in, screw the barrel back on, and write! No mess!
Sheaffer Triumph Chrome Open Showing Squeeze Converter
All the pens I tested wrote very well, with some noticeable variation in the writing experience. The Imperial Deluxe was a winner, being a very smooth, even, and wet writer. The Imperial Chrome was fitted with a really fat, smooth and wet writing broad. That pen was a delight to use, and I kept coming back to it. The broad nib was brilliantly smooth, even dry. Both the the basic all plastic and plastic / chrome Imperials I tried wrote decently, but it was a very ordinary, functional experience. Basic ink sticks. All pens wrote even lines without any fussing. None were the least scratchy. None had any appreciable flex, but they weren't nails, either.
I liked the Imperial Chrome version the best, not only because of its "Flighter"-like qualities, but because I can see it as a good hard use daily user. The really nice broad nib on it didn't hurt in influencing my opinion. That one was fun to drive.
The Triumph Imperial is a solid take on the original, but I admit I wish Sheaffer had made some Touchdown models and stuck 14 karat nibs on a few. I wish there had been some interesting colors or marbled plastics tried. There is a lot of potential in the design that was not exploited. Sheaffer got it right, but aimed low. A base hit, but not a home run.
The Triumph Imperial will probably attract Imperial collectors, but as an add-on. I don't see this pen developing a rabid corner of its own. Given the low prices and good availability because of closeouts on old stock, and all the cap and barrel combinations possible, a very nice collection could be made around the Triumph Imperial and not be a budget breaker.
Comments on this article may be sent
to the author, Jim Mamoulides
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