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Sheaffer
Triumph Imperials 1995-1998 by Jim Mamoulides 12/31/01- Updated 3/22/04
Sheaffer reintroduced the classic Imperial line in 1995 at the Triumph Imperial, began calling the higher end Imperials "Triumph Imperials," an interesting name in that the pens do not feature the Triumph nib, and at the same time, Sheaffer was marketing the Crest line which was fitted with the Triumph nib. This particular example carries the crown logo on the cap lip, a nod to the Soveriegn and sterling silver Imperials of the 1960s and 1970s. All modern Imperials are cartridge / converter pens fitted with Sheaffer's squeeze converter, except for the very low priced paper boxed all plastic Imperials, which were sold with cartridges only.
In the 1990s, Sheaffer began calling the higher end Imperials "Triumph Imperials," an interesting name in that the pens do not feature the Triumph nib, and at the same time, Sheaffer was marketing the Crest line which was fitted with the Triumph nib. This particular example carries the crown logo on the cap lip, a nod to the Soveriegn and sterling silver Imperials of the 1960s and 1970s. The modern Imperial fit the low end of Sheaffer's fine pen line, below the Targa and above the "School" pens.
Most modern Imperials are either all plastic with gold or chrome plated trim or metal capped and plastic bodied pens. This Imperial is unusual in that the entire pen is stainless steel. It is more polished that the earlier brushed finishes.
This is a typical example of the low end Imperial. A pen intended to be sold at office supply stores. They came in a number of colors and with chrome or gold plate trim. The nibs are all stainless. These pens were sold eithe in red presentation boxes or paper packages.
The package above is paper with a vacuum molded plastic insert that holds the pen and two cartridges. Interestingly, the School pens were packaged exactly the same way.
This set is the complement to the Black Chrome pen above. The ball pen uses Sheaffer's "reminder" clip mechanism, designed to remind the user that the ballpoint was extended before inserting the pen in the pocket. Chrome Trim Models The chrome trim Triumph Imperials are the entry level pens. Although Sheaffer calls these pens "chrome", the metal trim, cap and barrels was polished stainless steel. Chrome Trim Triumph Imperial The basic Triumph Imperial was an all plastic pen with chrome accents. This was the entry-level pen to Sheaffer's fine pen lines. Priced and modeled just above the school pens. Identification guide and features:
Brushed Chrome Cap Triumph Imperial Adding a brushed chrome cap made the basic Triumph Imperial a more substantial pen with more heft at a modest price premium. Identification guide and features:
Brushed Chrome Triumph Imperial The all brushed chrome Triumph Imperial is the top chrome trim model and makes a strong statement of durability and strength. It's a much heavier pen than the other models due to the all metal construction. Identification guide and features:
Gold Trim Models The gold trim models were intended as upscale, entry level fine pens, with better appointments. 23 Karat Gold Electroplate Trim Triumph Imperial The basic Triumph Imperial with all 23 karat gold electroplate appointments. This pen was called the Imperial IV in the 1992 catalog, a call back to the original Imperial pens introduced in 1961. Identification guide and features:
23 Karat Gold Electroplate Cap Triumph Imperial Also known as the Imperial Deluxe. Identification guide and features:
Palladium Electroplate Triumph Imperial The all palladium electroplate Triumph Imperial gives the all-metal pen a bright finish from the platinum family. It's a heavier pen due to its all metal construction. Identification guide and features:
23 Karat Gold Electroplate Triumph Imperial The all 23 karat gold electroplate Triumph Imperial is the top model and presents a rich, luxurious statement. It's a much heavier pen than the other models due to the all metal construction. Identification guide and features:
Performance I tried several modern Imperials, with fine, medium and broad nibs. All are exactly the same size, as would be expected, 5 1/2 inches long capped and 5 3/4 inches posted. As the pens show a number of different materials, they vary considerably in weight and feel in the hand. The plastic bodied pens are very lightweight uncapped. Plastic caps don't change this much. Posting the metal caps makes a big difference, but does not unbalance the pen. The all metal pen seemed to be better balanced posted. The best finished of the lot were the gold plated capped and the all stainless models. These seemed very well made throughout. The stainless capped model shows a definite lower cost, though well made, and the all plastic pen seems, well, cheap. All the clips are spring loaded, making the pens easy to slip on, even thick fabric. It also makes the all plastic pen seem a little nicer. The squeeze converter is simple enough, and fills the pen easily. Although all the pens have inlaid nibs, there is definite variation in writing quality. The gold capped pen wrote very well, very smooth and wet. The other higher end pens were smooth, but not impressive. The plastic pen wrote smoothly, but noticeably less smooth. All wrote nice even lines. None were the least scratchy. None had any appreciable flex, but they weren't nails, either. There isn't a real vocal modern Imperial collector crowd. Given the low price range, especially for used and NOS pens, and all the cap and barrel combinations possible, a very nice collection could be made around the modern Imperial. These were intended as nice everyday user pens and fully meet that objective. Comments on this article may be sent
to the author, Jim Mamoulides |
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