Sheaffer (Connaisseur) Asia Series-Bamboo Royal Selangor Fountain Pen

[FPcollection]

Dear all,

 

Here is what I won in auction lately...

 

The Sheaffer Asia Series-Bamboo Royal Selangor Fountain Pen. It is a variant of the Connaisseur line if I have not mistaken..

 

A not so common pen and difficult to spot even on Ebay... appears from time to time..took my chance on one such sighting

 

Guess it was a limited edition model brought out only in one particular year- 1987

 

This one needs a bit of hand polish and that should be it.

 

Nib looks wonderful too! ...and the best part is that 'No Nonsense' nibs can serve as replacements for Connaisseurs.

 

So, couple of inexpensive gold plated steel nibs of 'No Nonsense' can make this a lifetime writing instrument, were bad luck to befall the classy two toned 18K one of the pen!

 

Comments invited please!

 

Good day to you all!

 

Regards,

SS

Edited January 25, 2014 by FPcollection

[penmanila]

We had a long thread on this pen sometime ago (I'd do a search to link to it but am working off my iPhone so I'll do that later). Yes, this was one of the nicer pens in the series but it never really caught on. It was sold for $350 when it came out but was eventually discounted for $120 (the price I got it new in the box from speerbob) and even a bit lower. I think it's picked up a bit since, and it deserves to. It doesn't post well (one of the original complaints, I think--I don't post my pens so it was never an issue for me) but it's a handsomely made pen and the gold nib of course writes very smoothly. The box is also quite attractive.

[FPcollection]

An used pen, but in excellent condition, almost new, and boxed, went for $345 yesterday on Ebay. I am sure the fancy has caught on again!

 

Although, I fetched this one for less than $200. So, I think that it is not too bad a deal, especially keeping in mind that I could not find these online anywhere else as of now. Most of the places reported this item to be 'out of stock'. Guess, that makes this a good collectible.

 

Also, I personally loved the motif on the pen. Very antique.

 

Besides, the posting issue would not be an issue for many actuallyLike yourself, neither do I post my pens while writing.

 

Let's see how this pen turns out to be in person!

[jar]

The pen is cast pewter and so should not be polished generally. Pewter develops a patina that I'd call "lead colored" and that's its correct state. You don't see pewter all that often anymore but it was once the preferred material for tankards and beer steins.

[RMN]

Nice find.

 

The Connaisseur is not a light pen and this one must be a heavyweight.

 

My Grand Connaisseur is one of my best fountainpens.

 

Enjoy yours

 

 

D.ick

[Tdot]

The Sheaffer Asia Series-Bamboo Royal Selangor Fountain Pen. It is a variant of the Connaisseur line if I have not mistaken..

 

Guess it was a limited edition model brought out only in one particular year- 1987

 

Actually the Connaisseur line began in '86/87. The Bamboo was the first of a Sheaffer + Royal Selangor Asia series in 1996. Unfortunately BIC killed the the partnership when they bought Sheaffer. The Bamboo was cancelled almost as soon as it was produced and the planned following models never saw the light of day.

 

If you can find the info on manufacturing this pen it's rather interesting, from the original sculpture to making moulds to each pen being hand finished.

 

Mine is a stub. Did you get the wood box?

[jeffreyl]

Great looking pen!

[FPcollection]

As far the weight of a Connaisseur is concerned, how does it compare to a modern Prelude?

The Prelude is not a very light pen either and has come heft to it....I feel vey comfortable writing with it...

[FPcollection]

 

Nice find.

 

The Connaisseur is not a light pen and this one must be a heavyweight.

 

My Grand Connaisseur is one of my best fountainpens.

 

Enjoy yours

 

 

D.ick

 

As far the weight of a Connaisseur is concerned, how does it compare to a modern Prelude?

The Prelude is not a very light pen either and has come heft to it....I feel vey comfortable writing with it...

[FPcollection]

 

Actually the Connaisseur line began in '86/87. The Bamboo was the first of a Sheaffer + Royal Selangor Asia series in 1996. Unfortunately BIC killed the the partnership when they bought Sheaffer. The Bamboo was cancelled almost as soon as it was produced and the planned following models never saw the light of day.

 

If you can find the info on manufacturing this pen it's rather interesting, from the original sculpture to making moulds to each pen being hand finished.

 

Mine is a stub. Did you get the wood box?

Unfortunately, the auction did not have the wooden box

[penmanila]

i took out the sheaffer selangor pen for a spin today--the nib is a smooth wet broad. this pen is truly underrated.

 

[INAHON Sp. z o.o.]

Great pen, good for you!

 

[sexauerw]

 

 

 

As far the weight of a Connaisseur is concerned, how does it compare to a modern Prelude?

The Prelude is not a very light pen either and has come heft to it....I feel vey comfortable writing with it...

 

I just weighed three pens, all empty but with converters installed:

Prelude - 32.0 grams

Connaisseur, Black Plastic model - 24.7 grams

Royal Selangor - 41.9 grams

[elysee]

Nice pen. I have always like the Sheaffer Connaisseur, so much so that I bought the Sheaffer Grand Connaisseur fountain pen and ballpoint pen sets in Black lacquer and Tortoise lacquer. They have excellent weight and each is a nice wet writer. They have a wonderful feel in the hand when I write -- the coolness and weight of the lacquer pen and the responsiveness of the nib. : )

[Lorna Reed]

I got my Royal Selangor about three years ago. Mine came with the beautiful wooden box. Can't remember what I paid for it, but it was a reasonable price. It's a beautiful pen. I love the nib. I know pewter is not supposed to be polished, but I like a brighter finish, so occasionally give it a rub over with a silver polishing cloth.

[Dr. Saleem Ali]

Great acquisition ! enjoy it !

[penmanila]

You do need to give it a good rub once in a while. Otherwise it just darkens and darkens almost into black (a friend has one in this state). Pewter will never gleam like silver but at least it can look sharp and clean.

 

Nice pen. I have always like the Sheaffer Connaisseur, so much so that I bought the Sheaffer Grand Connaisseur fountain pen and ballpoint pen sets in Black lacquer and Tortoise lacquer. They have excellent weight and each is a nice wet writer. They have a wonderful feel in the hand when I write -- the coolness and weight of the lacquer pen and the responsiveness of the nib. : )

[drv1913]

Lovely pen!

[Benpiggy]

I brought one 2 years ago and it came with a wooden box as well. I was lucky to have chosen a broad nib. It is just a joy to write. The shape is a bit odd after posting. I use it to write at home rather then taking to work, in case something will happen to it.

 

I'm glad I purchase the pen when it was still available.

[3rdlakerobert]

Nice pen!

 

I'm wondering about swapping the nib with other Sheaffer's. It looks a lot like the nib on this LE:

 

http://www.peytonstreetpens.com/sheaffer-balance-ii-fountain-pen-walt-disney-le-black-18k-xf-nib-new.html

 

Anyone know if that nib fits other pens?