Jump to content

NoNonsense color range


Anne-Sophie

Recommended Posts

Wow! What a useful information!! Thank you very much, Jon. I would be interested in seeing photos of different shades of colors (yellows, blues, oranges, greens) if anyone have them :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 118
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Taki

    19

  • Univer

    18

  • Sailor Kenshin

    18

  • Maja

    16

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

I just received this in today's mail :) The package is pretty beat up, but I thought the writing on the back is very interesting!! It does mention tan and navy blue.

 

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/Takif/my_images/IMG_0770.jpghttp://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/Takif/my_images/IMG_0771.jpg
Edited by Taki
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello Taki,

 

Thanks twice over - for the kind words, and for the photo of your Tan NN. In-the-package examples are always really helpful. Is that a "73" date code on the back of the blister card?

 

I wish I had one of these "in the flesh," because its relationship to my "Mustard" pen perplexes me. Honestly, I can't be 100% certain whether {a} these are two distinct colors; {b} the Mustard is a color variant of the Tan; or {c} my color perception is hopelessly "off." Last night I was holding my pen up against the image of yours on the computer monitor, trying to figure it all out. Personally I favor either of the first two choices - the Mustard pen, to my eye, is definitely a warmer, more yellowish color. (Photos to follow, I promise.)

 

Taki, apologies for omitting from my prior post some of the colors represented in the Japanese catalog pages you kindly linked earlier in this thread: specifically the "Le Bright" (ugh, 1970s product naming!) range. I note your question whether the orange-y "Le Bright" pen is actually the swirled orange translucent color or an opaque color. I tend toward the latter option. The catalog photography seems to add a sort of semi-translucent effect to several of the colors, including the navy blue of the chrome-clip pencil - clearly not a translucent or a "Le Bright" instrument. And the other "Le Bright" colors look - to me, anyway - solidly opaque.

 

What I do wonder is whether the "orange" LeBright pen could really be the standard Cadmium Yellow-Orange. Tough call there, but I'm going to guess that it isn't - even allowing for photographic effects, the catalog pen doesn't have the flat look of my Cadmium.

 

So I've added three "LeBright" colors to the original list - Apricot, Magenta and Light Blue. I've also provisionally added a second Green, because photos do seem to show a deep Kelly as well as a really dark Hunter/Forest. Assorted other corrections as well.

 

Without further ado, a revised color list (not official color names, except as noted):

 

White (FP in my collection)

 

Black (FP in my collection)

 

Red (FP in my collection)

 

Orange-Red (FP in my collection, thanks to Maja)

 

Bright Yellow (ditto)

 

Cadmium Yellow-Orange (close to "safety" orange - FP in my collection)

 

Tan (known from photos - true Khaki color, said to be one of the original NN colors - official Sheaffer color name)

 

Mustard (FP in my collection; not the Tan color - this could almost look slightly olive in the right light, but definitely a Mustard shade. Could this be a color variant of the Tan?)

 

Brown (FP in my collection)

 

Navy (FP in my collection - official Sheaffer color name)

 

Deep Kelly Green (Green 1) (known from photos/catalogs)

 

Dark Green (Green 2) (known from photos/catalogs - could this be a color variant of Green 1?)

 

Purple (known from photos)

 

Pink (Chrome-clip BP in my collection; assumed to be the same shade as the Surfboard pink model, known from catalogs)

 

Cream (Chrome-clip promotional-sample BP in my collection - definitely not White or Tan)

 

Light Gray (Tagalong BP in my collection)

 

Aqua Blue (Surfboard promotional-sample BP in my collection - also known, with chrome clip, from catalogs)

 

Seafoam Green (Chrome-clip and Surfboard BPs known from catalogs)

 

Light Yellow (Chrome-clip and Surfboard BPs known from catalogs)

 

Apricot (known from catalogs - one of the Surfboard "Le Bright" colors; chrome clip models possible?; could this be either {a} the Cadmium Yellow-Orange or {b} the swirled translucent "Jellies" Orange?)

 

Magenta (known from catalogs - one of the Surfboard "Le Bright" colors; chrome clip models possible?; does not seem to be a swirled translucent color)

 

Light Blue (known from catalogs - one of the Surfboard "Le Bright" colors; chrome clip models possible?; does not seem to be the swirled translucent blue)

 

Conjectural colors:

 

Burgundy/Maroon: I reckon there must be a standard chrome-clip pen in the "Le Bordeaux" color - or maybe even a slightly different shade altogether. But I haven't seen one.

 

Other Blues: The existence of a cobalt/royal color would not surprise me. I have a dim recollection of seeing what must have been a NN prototype - no clip, no ringtop - in a blue lighter than the Dark Blue and darker than the Aqua or the "LeBright" blue. But that's not exactly evidence.

 

Olive (not Mustard!): I've never seen or heard of a NN in this color, but it was a popular shade during the NN's heyday - as witness the original Savanna Green Safari.

 

As before - please feel free to add, subtract or otherwise edit!

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

Edited by Univer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would love to have some of these pens. I heard they are "easy to get" but have seen hardly any on ebay or the usual suspect seller websites over the past year. Where do you people get them? And what is the difference between the No-Nonsense and the Connoisseur? Is the latter with a white dot and extra trim?

 

QM2

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello there QM2,

 

I understand just what you mean about "common" pens not always being easy to get hold of. Over the years, I have had plenty of opportunities (not always the wherewithal - different thing) to purchase some iconically rare pens, while certain "ordinary" pens have eluded me altogether. (Anybody out there willing to part with a Sheaffer Cartridge {"School"} Pen or a NoNonsense with a non-Italic broad nib...?)

 

Sorry, back to the subject. NoNonsense pens may not turn up with great regularity at vintage pen sites because they're considered to be entry-level instruments: not a lot of profit potential. Ebay is probably a better hunting ground. Bear in mind that non-pen-people selling NoNonsense pens probably won't list them under the proper model name, so you may need to do some stalking among the unnamed Sheaffers. They often turn up on eBay as promotional pens, with company logos, etc. NN ballpoints, which seem relatively plentiful, easily convert into FPs - remove the barrel spring and switch the section. (In theory, you could have a single NN FP and switch its section to a bunch of interesting-color BPs as needed.)

 

The NoNonsense was also the entry-level Sheaffer calligraphy platform for many years, so if you want to try out the Sheaffer Italic nibs, you should be able to find some NOS sets out there.

 

As for the Connaisseur (note the idiosyncratic spelling): Sheaffer made, in the modern era, three different ranges of pens whose design hearkened back to that of the early flattop: the NoNonsense (entry-level, for the most part); the "Guys & Dolls" pens (a bit more upscale); and the Connaisseur (high-end). One could call the Connaisseur an upmarket NN - and the sections do interchange, as do the Balance II sections - but I think that description tends unduly to diminish the stature of the Connaisseur. The Connaisseur came with a splendid 18K nib, and in numerous lovely finishes, including lacquers, chased resin and precious metals.

 

The "Guys & Dolls" pen was unique; its section doesn't interchange, so far as I know, with any other model. Here's a thread about it.

 

If you keep an eye on eBay, I'm reasonably confident you'll find some interesting NNs before too long.

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

Edited by Univer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello Taki,

 

Thanks twice over - for the kind words, and for the photo of your Tan NN. In-the-package examples are always really helpful. Is that a "73" date code on the back of the blister card?

 

I wish I had one of these "in the flesh," because its relationship to my "Mustard" pen perplexes me. Honestly, I can't be 100% certain whether {a} these are two distinct colors; {b} the Mustard is a color variant of the Tan; or {c} my color perception is hopelessly "off." Last night I was holding my pen up against the image of yours on the computer monitor, trying to figure it all out. Personally I favor either of the first two choices - the Mustard pen, to my eye, is definitely a warmer, more yellowish color. (Photos to follow, I promise.)

 

Jon

 

Just my two cents: is it possible you're seeing a color change due to oxidization or excess sunlight?

 

My latest ebook.   And not just for Halloween!
 

My other pen is a Montblanc.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello there,

 

Possible, certainly. I will say this, though: if it's a color shift, it's remarkably even, with no difference between the exposed barrel area and the area under the cap.

 

One of these days I'll get two specimens side by side...and probably conclude that I need new glasses. :blush:

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Taki,

thank you for the photo of the Tan NN in original packaging; that is the same colour as my pen.

 

Jon,

thank you for taking the bold step of starting a list! :)

 

Some random thoughts about the list so far:

 

---the Green NN pen in my collection is definitely not a Hunter Green; it is definitely what I would call a Dark Kelly Green. The photo of the NN on the PenHero.com site looks like the former colour...but then again, it could be my monitor :blink:

 

--the colour you call Cadmium Yellow, Jon, looks exactly (and I mean exactly) like the colour of my Sheaffer Imperial in that colour (like the ones Ron Zorn was selling on MainStreetPens.com). Definitely a Sheaffer colour!!

 

--the Pink NN in your list above, Jon....is that the Pale Pink (I don't know why I'm capitalizing colours here... :lol: ) ballpoint that you got from Pendemonium recently...or a different pink?

The pink NN that I have is a Magenta NN with the chrome cap disk insert....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As for the Connaisseur (note the idiosyncratic spelling): Sheaffer made, in the modern era, three different ranges of pens whose design hearkened back to that of the early flattop: the NoNonsense (entry-level, for the most part); the "Guys & Dolls" pens (a bit more upscale); and the Connaisseur (high-end). One could call the Connaisseur an upmarket NN - and the sections do interchange, as do the Balance II sections - but I think that description tends unduly to diminish the stature of the Connaisseur. The Connaisseur came with a splendid 18K nib, and in numerous lovely finishes, including lacquers, chased resin and precious metals.

 

The "Guys & Dolls" pen was unique; its section doesn't interchange, so far as I know, with any other model. Here's a thread about it.

 

Thanks for that! I will be on the lookout for them all : )

 

QM2

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Taki,

thank you for the photo of the Tan NN in original packaging; that is the same colour as my pen.

 

Jon,

thank you for taking the bold step of starting a list! :)

 

Some random thoughts about the list so far:

 

---the Green NN pen in my collection is definitely not a Hunter Green; it is definitely what I would call a Dark Kelly Green. The photo of the NN on the PenHero.com site looks like the former colour...but then again, it could be my monitor :blink:

 

--the colour you call Cadmium Yellow, Jon, looks exactly (and I mean exactly) like the colour of my Sheaffer Imperial in that colour (like the ones Ron Zorn was selling on MainStreetPens.com). Definitely a Sheaffer colour!!

 

--the Pink NN in your list above, Jon....is that the Pale Pink (I don't know why I'm capitalizing colours here... :lol: ) ballpoint that you got from Pendemonium recently...or a different pink?

The pink NN that I have is a Magenta NN with the chrome cap disk insert....

Hello Maja,

 

Interesting that you also see two greens. As it happens, the image that looks most like a true Hunter, to my eyes, is the one in the Japanese catalog Taki kindly linked. That one seems very dark.

 

I vote that we adopt Cadmium Yellow as the name for the color to which you refer. Not only did Sheaffer use it on an Imperial and a (prototype?) Prelude; they also used it on a Fashion pen (the color is so identified on the original package). So yes, absolutely, a true Sheaffer color...in both resin and lacquer.

 

Now as to the pink pen...yes, it's the pale Pendemonium pink (one might never get another opportunity to say that). Really a lovely soft color. Your Magenta: if you find a spare moment, would you check that same Japanese-catalog link, and see if you think your pen is the same color as the Surfboard "Le Bright" that I've termed Magenta? If so, then we can keep that name, I suppose. But if we're dealing with two different shades, then we'll need a second name.

 

Truly, nothing in the realm of Sheaffer is ever easy. This is just color, and it's just one model range. Wait 'til we get to the Jellies, and the gold-plated-trim models, and so on...to say nothing of the clip engraving, barrel/cap variations, etc.!

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

 

PS Sailor, that is a tempting set. Do be mindful of Maja's comment, though: these sections will definitely not interchange with the older style. I don't believe there are any non-Italic nib units that will fit this later-generation model.

Edited by Univer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another vote for Cadmium Yellow name! I just got a yellow one, too and it looks almost identical color as my Imperial Cadmium Yellow! BTW my Cadmium Yellow NN has a hole on the end of the barrel :hmm1:

 

Going back to the first page of this thread, is Ann's yellow one Cadmium Yellow? It maybe just my monitor, but it looks like a different yellow to me.

 

Green - I have a green marbled one and regular opaque one. I know we are not including marbled one right now, but the marbled one is much darker than the opaque one.

Edited by Taki
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello Maja,

I vote that we adopt Cadmium Yellow as the name for the color to which you refer. Not only did Sheaffer use it on an Imperial and a (prototype?) Prelude; they also used it on a Fashion pen (the color is so identified on the original package). So yes, absolutely, a true Sheaffer color...in both resin and lacquer.

Another "Yes" vote for "Cadmium Yellow" !! :D

 

Now as to the pink pen...yes, it's the pale Pendemonium pink (one might never get another opportunity to say that). Really a lovely soft color.

Very nice! Interesting about the lack of a horse-shoe-shaped barrel end insert.... :hmm1:

 

Your Magenta: if you find a spare moment, would you check that same Japanese-catalog link, and see if you think your pen is the same color as the Surfboard "Le Bright" that I've termed Magenta? If so, then we can keep that name, I suppose. But if we're dealing with two different shades, then we'll need a second name.

No problem! Mine's the same colour as the "hot pink" (magenta) pen with the light blue "Surfboard" clip in the middle of this shot:

http://image.blog.livedoor.jp/pelikan_1931.../6/9660f3d8.jpg

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Going back to the first page of this thread, is Ann's yellow one Cadmium Yellow? It maybe just my monitor, but it looks like a different yellow to me.

Ann's pen looks like my Bright Yellow one, Taki.

The Cadmium Yellow colour looks more like the colour of this Imperial:

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o173/Br...imperialset.jpg

(photo taken by FPNer Brownieeeee and posted in this thread ).

It's the photo that best represents the Cadmium Yellow Sheaffer pens I have; some other online pics make the colour look too dark....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks, Maja. So I think I have a Cadmium Yellow one, now I have to look for a Pikachu :D My photo looks darker than actual, too. This pen's nib has ebonite feed.

post-29-1213759218_thumb.jpg

Edited by Taki
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks, All!

 

OK: Cadmium Yellow it is. It's appropriate, it's perfectly descriptive of the color, and it has a Sheaffer pedigree. Done! (Or, more accurately: it will be done when I next revise the list, since the editing window has closed.)

 

Maja: with respect to the horseshoe - or lack thereof - I still tend to think that such details may reflect running changes in manufacturing processes. I plan, as I liberate the remainder of my collection from various bins, boxes and crates, to try to work out some rough correlations among the variations: clip engraving, horseshoe, etc. Hopefully such raw notes can serve as the basis for further discussion and refinement.

 

Thank you, too, for confirming that the two Magentas are really one and the same - an opaque color. That fact, to my mind, further supports the notion that the so-called Apricot "Le Bright" pen is an opaque color rather than a swirled or semi-translucent finish. Most helpful!

 

Unlike so many exercises in Sheaffer archaeology, I have high hopes that this inquiry will actually produce a fairly reliable and comprehensive result.

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

Edited by Univer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now







×
×
  • Create New...