Sheaffer Imperial Sovereign?

[IanLWTerry]

Does anyone own this pen? What is your opinion on it? I love the way it looks. I have been looking through a few books about sheaffer pens and this is definitely one that stood out to me. If I were to try to acquire one, what would be a good price point for it? I've seen them sell for $150ish....is that a fair price?

[sexauerw]

I have one and really like it, although I have to admit that I've never actually filled and used it. (I have way too many pens to keep track of which ones need to be put into rotation next.*) I paid about $140 for it in 2011 but I'm pretty sure that I got a frequent buyer discount from the seller. So $150 seems like a pretty fair price to me five years later and without a discount.

 

*I have a Sterling silver version of this same pen with a Touchdown filling system and a wonderful stub nib that frequently gets used and is in fact inked right now. I think that's the reason the Sovereign never gets used, the silver pen is just so much nicer.

[IanLWTerry]

So excited! Just won an auction for one in mint condition for $87 USD! Check it out (pics from the listing)

 

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B7pEKl8lIMkza1ZpY2VGSU9uYW8

 

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/122102768442

 

.... Also just scored an aurora 88k, also nearly mint condition for $115 from a member of this forum. So excited! What a way to make a splash into the fountain pen world!

[jar]

The Imperial Sovereign and Imperial Sterling pens are great. As mentioned above there were two releases, the first were Touchdown fillers while the latter were C/C.

 

http://www.fototime.com/DF9EDE80D711CCE/large.jpg

[IanLWTerry]

So excited!

[mitto]

I have both the Sovereign and the Sterling. Both are beautiful pens. But I never get to use them as I am curreny in love with my Parker 51s, 75s and Vacumatics.

[IanLWTerry]

I have definitely been bitten by the bug! I want them aaaaaaaaaaaalll

[brendonsie]

They are great pens, you will enjoy using them. As for price i think you did well i paid $150 US for my Sterling. I have ended up with both the Imperial Sovereign and Sterling C/C pens in my collection.

in time i would like to add the touchdown models to my collection

[IanLWTerry]

Those are beautiful! I feel like the diamond pattern will add a nice texture to the grip as well! I cant wait til they get here! I know absolutely nothing about ink. Ohhhh where to start!?!

 

Ps... I dont know how I got the pen for that price, other than the fact that the auction ended at 6am, so probably whoever set their max bid went to sleep thinking someone like me wasnt motivated enough to set an alarm for 5:45 and outbid them at the last second. I am definitely feeling very excited to start using it... just have to wait for it to come in the mail!

 

I wonder which will come first the aurora 88k I ordered, or the Sheaffer Imperial Soverign. I cant wait to add more to my collection!

[IanLWTerry]

Ok ... noobie question, IT CAME TODAY OMG.. But how does one fill it?

[jar]

Ok ... noobie question, IT CAME TODAY OMG.. But how does one fill it?

Depends on which version you got. Did you get the touchdown version? If so you begin with a glass of water. Unscrew the end piece and pull the tube all the way out. Put the whole nib under water and push the tube all the way in. Screw end piece back in place. Check for leaks. If after 30 minutes there is no signs of leaks, place nib over empty glass, pull tube back out, push it rapidly in. If water comes out then give ink a try. If no water comes out send to get it repaired. If leaks afr found send it to get it repaired.

 

If it is NOT the touchdown model simply unscrew the nib and section from the barrel. Drop a Sheaffer cartridge into the barrel. If it's an old cartridge either end will do; if it is one of the newer cartridges the end with the dimple goes in first. Screw nib and section back on and let it sit nib down wrapped in paper towel until you see ink on the towel. Enjoy.

[IanLWTerry]

Depends on which version you got. Did you get the touchdown version? If so you begin with a glass of water. Unscrew the end piece and pull the tube all the way out. Put the whole nib under water and push the tube all the way in. Screw end piece back in place. Check for leaks. If after 30 minutes there is no signs of leaks, place nib over empty glass, pull tube back out, push it rapidly in. If water comes out then give ink a try. If no water comes out send to get it repaired. If leaks afr found send it to get it repaired.

 

If it is NOT the touchdown model simply unscrew the nib and section from the barrel. Drop a Sheaffer cartridge into the barrel. If it's an old cartridge either end will do; if it is one of the newer cartridges the end with the dimple goes in first. Screw nib and section back on and let it sit nib down wrapped in paper towel until you see ink on the towel. Enjoy.

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B7pEKl8lIMkzeXFIVldoRHpmcjA

 

^I think cartridge? If I'm not mistaken?

[jar]

Yup, cartridge. the piece you show is a squeeze converter. Test it like the touchdown above. With the converter on the section, put the whole nib under water. Squeeze the bar until it is fully down, you should see bubbles in the water. Release the bar and count to ten. For now stop there and check for leaks. Then hold pen over the glass and press bar again. Does water come out? If so, move on to ink. And always remember the Sheaffer cartridges. They too are great.

[IanLWTerry]

Yup, cartridge. the piece you show is a squeeze converter. Test it like the touchdown above. With the converter on the section, put the whole nib under water. Squeeze the bar until it is fully down, you should see bubbles in the water. Release the bar and count to ten. For now stop there and check for leaks. Then hold pen over the glass and press bar again. Does water come out? If so, move on to ink. And always remember the Sheaffer cartridges. They too are great.

Aha! I shall try this immediately ! Thanks for the nugget of wisdom

[paulotex]

Congratulations IanLWTerry on your purchase, the pen looks beautiful!

 

Thanks jar for all the suggestions, I too can use them to check for leaks on my old touchdown.

[IanLWTerry]

i really appreciate all of you! I honestly was confused at first as to what a touchdown pen was, now that I know as I have researched it, I feel enlightened hehe.

 

So much more to learn, got any tips for writing with fine nibs? I need to work on my angle etc