Your Current Sheaffer HOLY GRAIL

[Guest PeteWK]

Pete;

 

I'm guessing "own" is reprint? '21, '23, '25, '28, '30, '35-'40. I own the 1925 original. '23 is the last all hard rubber catalogue. '25 is the first radite catalogue but still has HR in it.

 

Sheaffer understood marketing which may have come from the jewelry trade or selling pianos. The first catalogue was in 1912 the first year of production though Sheaffer does not incorporate until the following year. He knew that he had to have floor cabinets for dealers so you see that when he agrees to make pens he does so in a big way. There is a similar catalogue that was made in 1913 as it shows a double bar but is very similar to the first. These are all second genration reprints that I've seen.

 

Contact me back channel if you want prices. Hopefully, I'll get paypal arranged for my website and they will end up there. rwolfhound@hughes.net

 

Roger W.

Hi Roger. Actually I asked because Fred loaned me 9 catalogs to reprint. 8 of them are Sheaffer Pre-1940 catalogs and one is about a 1920 or 21 Parker. He has tons more of (nearly) every conceivable brand from the late teens to current issues but some aren't really that saleable. I'm going to purchase a new color Laser printer that's up to the task so I'll post the years to check them against the years you have. Regards,

 

PeteWK

[Guest PeteWK]

Roger, This is the Cover of the 1918 or so Sheaffer Catalog I'm producing.

 

PeteWK

[Roger W.]

Pete;

 

You'll find that this is 1920 or 1921 - it has Lifetime pens in it.

 

Regards,

 

Roger

[Roger W.]

Pete;

 

Here's the cover cleaned up;

 

http://sheafferflattops.com/images/Cover21.JPG

 

This is one of the last ones I put into production. I do wonder if yours is a little different as the text is not the same. Does yours have the lifetime pens?

 

Roger W.

Edited December 7, 2006 by Roger W.

[Guest PeteWK]

Pete;

 

You'll find that this is 1920 or 1921 - it has Lifetime pens in it.

 

Regards,

 

Roger

Actually no. This is certainly a teens catalog as it has no Lifetime Pens. Regards,

 

PeteWK

[mike1]

I had a PFM set many years ago when I was in high school. The parents gave it to me for a Christmas gift in 1962. It had a green body and a siver palladium nib with a brushed stainless cap, I believe. Pen and pencil have been gone many a year now. Maybe one day I'll find another.

[anniemac]

I've been angling for a Sheaffer since I first discovered the vintage world and I'd love anything with the stylish wraparound nib and snorkel system. Today picked up one at a little pen shop here that isn't dream pen, but writes really nicely. Can't identify it in Fountain Pens of World though, and as my photographic skills are zero I won't attempt that. Inlaid nib, touchdown, plastic body, very thin band, gold cap, white dot, Sheaffer lettering on band is narrow not tall area.Any ideas?

[Tbobx]

I have two Sheaffer acquisition stories.

 

My very first Sheaffer's, yes two of them, came from my Grandfather's estate in 1970. I was 10 years old but even at theat age I was fascinated by fountain pens. One was a big Sheaffer Lifetime and the other was a smaller PFM I think. I also got two Parker 51's with lustraloy caps. I liked how the Parkers wrote but knew the Sheaffer's were better and more valuable pens. I still have all four pens.

 

My second story is from 1990. My wife and I lived over an older couple who were very nice and quiet. We would talk to them when we crossed paths going in and out of the condo. Well, he eventually told us he was a semi-pro golfer and had been associated with the great golfer Ben Hogan in the 1930s. Golf was something I always wanted to learn and he offered to give me some lessons. He had me get a driver and some whiffle golf balls to practice and we would go out and swing. He coached me on my swing. As I got to know him I happened to mention that I sort of collected fountain pens. He must have made note of this because shortly after he came to our practice session with a mottled green Sheaffer Flat Top with a perfect extra fine nib! I told him that I was reluctant to take it since I knew it was somewhat valuable but he insisted since he didnt use it and knew that I would use it.

 

I still have all of these pens and use my Grandfather's Lifetime pen regularly.

[Nimrud]

Nothing quite so exalted for me. Any Snorkel with a Triumph nib in a good working condition will do for me.

[Abhik]

Two tone triumph nib (fine) with snorkel filling! Silver cap with blue/maroon body!

[Arkanabar]

I voted "Imperial Masterpiece."

 

For me, that means a Touchdown Imperial in purple or violet resin. A 14kt nib, though nice, is not neccessary. I don't know a darned thing about the Masterpiece line -- I learned about it from this poll.

 

The alternate would be The Perfect Balance -- OS, flexible fine, probably either Jade or Rose Glow.

[bernardo]

I WANT A MASTERPIECE

[bernardo]

I had a PFM set many years ago when I was in high school. The parents gave it to me for a Christmas gift in 1962. It had a green body and a siver palladium nib with a brushed stainless cap, I believe. Pen and pencil have been gone many a year now. Maybe one day I'll find another.

That was a PFM II set, which are kind of rare nowadays. How could you let it go?

[Guest PeteWK]

I voted "Imperial Masterpiece."

 

For me, that means a Touchdown Imperial in purple or violet resin. A 14kt nib, though nice, is not neccessary. I don't know a darned thing about the Masterpiece line -- I learned about it from this poll.

For infomation's sake a Masterpiece pen is one with Solid Gold (9, 14 or 18 Karat) overlay. They've made them just about from the beginning and have called them Masterpiece since the 30s or 40s. That I'll have to check on. Regards,

 

PeteWK

[Dennis B]

Back a few posts, I identified my current Sheaffer "Holy Grail" as a Turquoise Tasman Levenger Seas Connaisseur. I guess it still is because I still haven't found one to buy.

 

That pen reached the top of the Sheaffer list because this set had already been purchased and was coming. Arrived today, the ultimate in the Sheaffer Grand Connaisseur, a prototype Blue Ronce FP/BP set. Said to have only been 10 sets made. I am one happy camper here.

 

Dennis B

 

Feast your eyes on this beauty!

 

http://www.parkvillepen.com/images/sheaffer/prototypegcmulti.jpg

Edited January 9, 2007 by Dennis B

[DocNib]

Arrived today, the ultimate in the Sheaffer Grand Connaisseur, a prototype Blue Ronce FP/BP set. Said to have only been 10 sets made.

I've already given you my congrats (& now wanting a set myself!), but did you say if the sets were numbered?

DOC

[DocNib]

My current Holy Grail Sheaffer would be a "slotted" filigree in eithe Sterling or Gold-Filled. I had the GF model and it was a beauty! Unfortunately (and fortunately!) someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse and bought it from me. A pair would suit me fine!

DOC

PS--Saw one in a pic by Roger & fell in love all over again with the pen!

[Dennis B]

No numbering of the sets AFAIK. Barry Gabay first thought they were because his had a very low number on the section metal sleeve. That wasn't it though as I have a standard Connaisseur with the section numbered 00002, IIRC. The New Grand has a section numbered 102xx, or something like that (don't want to go look right now).

 

The 10 set number comes from Andreas Lambrou and a 1995 auction catalog. No reason that I know of to doubt that number.

 

Best of luck in searching for one. I've now seen two sets for sale, both in UK auctions, in 11 years!

 

Dennis B

[Tom L]

I voted Targa Masterpiece, but these days I'm happy with any Targa that I don't already have. The Matte Gray is the one for which I've been searching, but recently there were auctions for a Matte Red and a Leather-look.

 

-Tom

[Doug Add]

I voted other, not perfect balance, because I seek user pens not perfect collectibles. As long as there are no major flaws and it writes I will be satisfied.

 

I would be happy with a marine green oversize Balance, but what I really want is a carmine striated oversize Balance. Flex nib would be nice, but not necessary. I am quite satisfied with the stiff fine in my 1924 oversize flat top.

 

I used to have a pearl and black oversize Balance with a flexible nib, but traded it for something else about four years ago.

Edited February 1, 2007 by Doug Add