Sheaffer Triumph Masterpiece c. 1942-1944

by Jim Mamoulides, September 30, 2015, updated October 4, 2024

Sheaffer Triumph Masterpiece c. 1942-1944

A Triumph and a Masterpiece

What does the word "masterpiece" bring to mind? A dictionary definition would be, "a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship," and "an artist's or craftsman's best piece of work." A pen with that name would be expected to meet the very highest standards. It would have to represent the very best work of the pen company that offers it.

Sheaffer Triumph Masterpiece pen and pencil c. 1942-1944

Sheaffer has used the name Masterpiece for its top of the line pens many times over the company's history. The name usually is given to a writing instrument with a 14 or 18 karat gold cap and barrel and with solid gold appointments, such as the clip or lever. Sheaffer offered solid gold pens as early as 1921, but they are not consistently catalogued every year. The earliest use I found of Masterpiece as the name is in the 1938 Sheaffer catalog, for the lever-filled Masterpiece Autograph Lifetime. The catalog describes it as "the masterpiece of all matched pen and pencil sets, the finest it is possible to build from precious gold." The cap, barrel, clip, lever, pencil tip and pen nib are all made from 14 karat gold. It sold for $80 and the matching pencil for $45 and were available in both a smooth finish and with a lined linear chased cap and barrel with each piece having a wide radial chased band feature.

Sheaffer Triumph Masterpiece c. 1942-1944

Sheaffer offered an expanded Masterpiece line in the 1940 catalog, including a smaller Lady Masterpiece, a Tuckaway Masterpiece, and a Crest Masterpiece, with14 karat gold cap with black plastic barrel. The Crest Masterpiece was offered in both full and Lady size. All Masterpiece pens and pencils were offered with the chased pattern shown in the 1938 catalog. An even more elaborate Honor Masterpiece, having a special engraved insignia feature on the cap, was also introduced, being offered in 14 karat gold full size, Lady, and Crest versions as well as a new platinum version. This expanded Masterpiece offering continued, including plain versions, through the 1941 catalog.

Sheaffer Triumph Masterpiece pen and pencil c. 1942-1944

On January 1, 1942, Sheaffer introduced the new Triumph Lifetime line to its dealers, featuring the new and innovative conical Triumph "Sheath-Point" nib. The launch advertisement was in the July 27, 1942 issue of Life Magazine. Sheaffer spent a lot of advertising capital promoting the new nib as stronger than any other offering because of its tubular construction, that it worked better at many altitudes because of its superior, larger capacity "Flo-Rite" feed, and superior because the Triumph nib unit was assembled and adjusted in a factory sealed unit to protect against leakage. Sheaffer offered the Triumph with sixteen nib grades, including four flexible and one music.

Sheaffer Triumph Masterpiece c. 1942-1944

The Triumph line is noticeably different visually from the previous Balance pens, being more pointed at the ends, but retaining an overall tapered shape. The Triumph Masterpiece fountain pen and pencil have a strong resemblance to the previous Masterpiece model and continued to be offered only as a lever-filler. The January 1942 Sheaffer brochure, “That The People May Know,” announcing the Triumph Lifetime pens, tells dealers that Autograph and Masterpiece models, which are not priced, are also available and to request a quote for price and delivery dates. No mention is made of a Triumph Honor Masterpiece or Triumph Masterpiece Tuckaway pen, so it’s possible, due to wartime manufacturing restrictions that they were not made.

Sheaffer Triumph Masterpiece nib detail

I have not been able to find any full Sheaffer catalogs from 1942 through 1945 and the very few ads for the Triumph Masterpiece pen all refer only to the pen and pencil set. Although offered to dealers in 1942, the earliest retailer ad I found was in the September 27, 1943 Atlanta Constitution, offering the Masterpiece set for $125 and advising the customer to place their order so it would arrive in time for Christmas, an indication that at least that dealer was not stocking the Triumph Masterpiece. It’s possible that the pen and pencil sold individually at the same price as the previous model shown in the 1941 catalog, $80 for the pen and $45 for the matching pencil. Federal tax was 20% additional on top of the retail price.

Advertisement in the December 15, 1943 Kansas City Times

A dealer advertisement in the December 15, 1943 Kansas City Times is the only one that shows an image of the Triumph Masterpiece pen and pencil set, priced at $125. The best part of that ad is the tag, "Convenient Terms." A similar pen set today would cost more than $10,000, though in straight equivalent purchasing power that 1942 $125 would be about $2,500 today. Considering a car in 1942 would be around $920, or about a third of an average income, $125 was a lot of money and was something only the wealthy could afford.

In 1945, Sheaffer introduced the Triumph II, a more rounded pen line, that included a revised Masterpiece model with a new spring loaded clip. Sheaffer continued the use of the Masterpiece name on solid gold top of the line pens through at least the early 1980s, including the Touchdown, TM, Snorkel, Lifetime, and Targa pen lines.

Identification guide and features:

Sheaffer Triumph Masterpiece c. 1942-1944

There is very limited original documentation specific to the Sheaffer Triumph Masterpiece pen and pencil. Most of the reference material points to the time before and after the pen was offered, with a couple of direct Sheaffer documents confirming the pen existed in the Triumph line from at least 1942 and dealer advertisements offering the pen and pencil set through 1944.

• 14 karat gold cap, barrel, clip, and lever. All except lever are hallmarked 14K.
• Linear chasing on the cap and barrel with a 3/8 inch radial linear chased feature on each
• Cap has a 7/16 plain band at the cap lip for engraving
• Back side of cap lip stamped with "SHEAFFER"S" over "MADE IN U.S.A."
• Threaded cap
• 14 karat gold nib stamped SHEAFFER'S over LIFETIME over REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. over MADE IN U.S.A. over 14K
• Available nib sizes unknown, but Sheaffer documents after the war show 16 standard nib sizes, which were possibly also available during 1942-1944
• Lever-fill mechanism
• Visualated section
• 5 1/2 inches long capped, 6 1/8 inches long with the cap posted on the end of the barrel
• Fountain pen and pencil set were $125, the pen alone was probably $80 and the matching pencil was probably $45

Performance

There is nothing quite like a solid gold pen and the Sheaffer Triumph Masterpiece certainly lives up to its name in the visual department. The fit and finish is excellent, even though this is an eighty year old pen. The chasing pattern is especially nice, having longitudinal lines extending out to the cap and barrel ends in a stepped pattern giving it an Art Deco look. The radial engraving on the cap and barrel adds visual interest of bands wrapped around the cap and barrel. Together with the blank cap end cartouche, there are three bands down the length of the pen, giving the engraving visual balance.

Sheaffer Triumph Masterpiece c. 1942-1944

The pen is average size for a c. 1942-1944 pen at 5 1/2 inches long and being metal, it is a little heftier than most plastic pens from that era. Post the pen with care, as you would not want to scuff the gold barrel end with the cap lip. The pen feels fine in my hand unposted and is plenty long to write with comfortably that way.

Sheaffer Triumph Masterpiece nib detail

Filling any Sheaffer lever-fill pen is quite easy. Dip the nib in ink, flip the lever and count to twenty. Wipe the nib and you are ready to write. The extra fine Triumph nib on this pen is quite firm but has been nicely tuned and works as a great note taker. It's well suited to everyday use making the pen more than just pocket jewelry.

Sheaffer Triumph Masterpiece c. 1942-1944

The clip is a bit tight and will be tough to secure in any pocket with thick fabric. It's certainly OK for starched shirts and a suit, of course. One thing to note: gold is soft and the clips on these pens tend to dig into the cap, creating a natural looking indentation. It does not by any means look like a defect, but it has been pointed out to me by Daniel Kirchheimer that the caps originally were flat where the clip meets it.

Sheaffer Triumph Masterpiece pen and pencil c. 1942-1944

Sheaffer Masterpiece pens from any era do not come up for sale often. The price of gold alone will introduce crazy into the price of these pens, even though the total gold content is really not that great. Metal pens are subject to dings and scratches, so finding a really pristine example will likely also add to a handsome price. If you really want a 14 karat gold daily user, look for a restored, but lightly dinged up Masterpiece and save some money. The bottom line is any well restored Sheaffer Masterpiece pen will bring great Sheaffer writing quality in a package that is some serious pocket bling.

---

Acknowledgment

Thanks to Daniel Kirchheimer for additional information on this pen.

References

Advertisement, LIFE, July 27, 1942, Pages 48 and 49

Advertisement, LIFE, November 23, 1942, back cover

Advertisement, LIFE, July 26, 1943, back cover

Advertisement, LIFE, August 23, 1943, back cover

Advertisement, LIFE, November 22, 1943, back cover

Advertisement, LIFE, May 22, 1944, back cover

Advertisement, LIFE, July 24, 1944, back cover

Advertisement, LIFE, August 21, 1944, back cover

Advertisement, The Atlanta Constitution, September 27, 1943, page 7

Advertisement, The Kansas City Times, December 15, 1943, page 2

Advertisement, The Post Register, Idaho Falls, Idaho, December 23, 1945, page 5

C. D. Peacock Catalog, Chicago, IL, hand dated 1921

Letter to Sheaffer dealers regarding taxes, dated September 25, 1941

"Making Automobiles Last During World War II", by Cory Graff, January 6, 2022, The National WWII Museum

Sheaffer Catalog, 1928

Sheaffer Catalog, August 1, 1938, page 9

Sheaffer Catalog, August 1, 1940, page 3

Sheaffer Catalog, August 1, 1941, pages 12-13

Sheaffer Catalog, 1946

Sheaffer repair parts price list, dated October 1, 1945

Sheaffer Triumph sales brochure, undated, based on content references probably January to July, 1942

“That The People May Know” Sheaffer Triumph sales brochure, January 1, 1942

“The Shop Scout” The Kansas City Star, October 22, 1944, page 8C