Sheaffer Prelude - Let's Try To Catch Them All

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is one of the Sheaffer Prelude Persimmon prototype color pens. As Ron said, it was intended as part of the varsity college book store and imprint market. Sheaffer made lots of Preludes specifically to be printed or engraved for the promotional market. Many were lacquered in one of the primary colors of major universities for their bookstores. This pen, a persimmon color, was intended for that market, but was never produced and only a few prototypes were made. When the Sheaffer factory in Fort Madison, Iowa closed, several of these pens were given out as gifts.

http://penhero.com/Temp/PreludePersimmon_1280_01.jpg

Always interesting to find an unusual variation or prototype of a mass produced popular pen like the Prelude!

Thanks!

[pajaro]

Nice color.

[davefoe]

I think it's a great color. Wish Sheaffer had made this a production color, as well as having a few other colors in the palette. Over the past few years the color choices have been limited, and often (in my opinion) unattractive. I wonder if the Prelude is to be discontinued? I know Cross is relaunching Sheaffer, but never have I seen a company offline and invisible for so long. When I think of all the great products Sheaffer made, I just shake my head.

 

Dave

[RocketRyan]

I just wish they would bring back the pfm in some funky materials. Something like aurora burgandy auraloid would be nice.

[davefoe]

Absolutely, RocketRyan. Bring back the PFM (not the heavy, overpriced Legacy) in a bunch of cool colors. Fountain pen, roller ball, gel, ballpoint versions. They should have done this 10-15 years ago but it still might work today. The mid-century look is in style . . . they should have done a "Mad Men" tie-in when that show was big a few years back.

 

Dave

[mitto]

I have lately picked up a NOS first edition USA made tortoiseshell Prelude with the broadest nib i have ever seen on any pen. Were there 4Bs or even 5Bs nibs on Sheaffer pens?

Edited June 20, 2017 by mitto

[ink-syringe]

I have lately picked up a NOS first edition USA made tortoiseshell Prelude with the broadest nib i have ever seen on any pen. Were there 4Bs or even 5Bs nibs on Sheaffer pens?

 

 

I have seen some absolute monsters. I have had a 90s Crest that was larger than my B Pelikan and a PFM with a beachball of tipping on it that I suspect was BB. Of course, neither was boxed, stickered or chalkmarked so I don't know what the official designations would be. I am curious to know too.

[LizB]

Is that was BB means? Beachball?

[AL01]

Ballboint?

[pajaro]

double broad.

[Markol]

And here is the latest one - 9120 Beyond Blue GT

 

http://i.imgur.com/pvkQX5D.jpg

Edited July 20, 2017 by Markol

[dlb0037]

I am trying to identify which prelude this is - its like the 380 - metallic blue with black trim, but mine is metallic green with black trim. Is there a list with all the numbers?

[DilettanteG]

I have lately picked up a NOS first edition USA made tortoiseshell Prelude with the broadest nib i have ever seen on any pen. Were there 4Bs or even 5Bs nibs on Sheaffer pens?

 

I have a couple of Chrome Preludes that were a special calligraphy edition. The very wide Italic nibs came in F, M, and B. The B italic was so thirsty I sent it out to Mr. Binder so the feed would keep up with the nib. Sold that one on this site several years ago.

 

I had a couple of Chrome with Gold Trim Preludes Fps with matching Mechanical Pencils, Ballpoints, MPIs, and Rollerballs. They stopped making refills for the MPI's highlighter and the Rollerball caps tend to come apart. (The plastic inner cap seems to come unglued and one day you try and uncap it and only the outer cap comes off.) These were my everyday carry for years and I still have an unmatched set in my bag. Great little work horses.

 

It's really lovely to see someone collecting them.