Sheaffer Snorkel Photo Thread 1952-1959

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Valiant Buckskin Tan fountain pen c. 1956-1959. The fountain pen has a two-tone plated 14 karat gold Triumph nib, gold-filled 3/8 inch cap band, gold-filled clip, and plastic cap and barrel. Barrel colors produced from 1952 to 1955 were black, burgundy, pastel gray, pastel blue (or aqua), and pastel green. Peacock blue, buckskin tan, mandarin orange, fiesta red, fern green, and periwinkle blue were added later. Note the color match section. The Valiant fountain pen is 5 ½ inches long and sold for $19.75. The matching pencil sold for $7.25.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SheafferSnorkelValiantBuckskinTan_2048_01.jpg

Thanks!

[Glenn-SC]

Here's one, a "Masterpiece Lifetime" version with the 14 kt solid gold clip, cap and barrel. Has the "Lifetime" marked 14 kt Triumph nib.
http://i68.tinypic.com/1110yfm.jpg

http://i63.tinypic.com/2coo0zt.jpg

[Tweel]

Now that is a pen that should have a gold snorkel tube!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Admiral in Black c. 1952-1959. Black was one of the original Snorkel colors introduced in 1952. The Admiral has an open plain 14 karat gold nib, an injection molded plastic cap and barrel, and a gold-filled clip and 3/8 inch cap band. This pen has the imprint on the barrel. Colors produced were black, burgundy, pastel gray, pastel blue (or aqua), pastel green, buckskin tan, vermilion, and sage green. This 5 1/2 inch long Snorkel Admiral has a firm fine nib and sold for $10.00 and the matching pencil, $6.00.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SheafferSnorkelAdmiralBlack_2048_01.jpg

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Special in Pastel Gray c. 1956-1959. The Special was a new entry-level model below the Admiral. It featured an open palladium silver nib, plastic cap and barrel, gold-filled clip stamped "SHEAFFER'S", and 1/4" wide gold-filled cap band. It was introduced in 1956 in black, burgundy, pastel gray, pastel blue (or aqua), and pastel green. The Snorkel Special pen sold for US $7.95 in 1956 and the pen and pencil set sold for $13.95.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SheafferSnorkelSpecialGray_2048_01.jpg

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

 

This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Special in Pastel Green c. 1956-1959. The Special was a new entry-level model below the Admiral. It featured an open palladium silver nib, plastic cap and barrel, gold-filled clip stamped "SHEAFFER'S", and 1/4" wide gold-filled cap band. It was introduced in 1956 in black, burgundy, pastel gray, pastel blue (or aqua), and pastel green. The Snorkel Special pen sold for US $7.95 in 1956 and the pen and pencil set sold for $13.95.

 

 

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Saratoga in Black c. 1952-1959. The Saratoga has an open 14 karat gold nib with platinum mask (similar to earlier Feathertouch nibs), plastic cap and barrel, gold-filled clip stamped "SHEAFFER'S", and 1/4" wide gold-filled cap band. Colors produced were black, burgundy, pastel gray, pastel blue (or aqua), and pastel green. In 1955, the Snorkel Saratoga sold for $11.95 and with a matching pencil, $17.95.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SheafferSnorkelSaratogaBlack_2048_01.jpg

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Sovereign in Pastel Gray c. 1952-1959. The Sovereign has an open 14 karat gold nib with two-tone mask, possibly palladium (similar to earlier Feathertouch nibs), polished stainless steel cap with five engraved panels and plastic barrel and gold-filled clip stamped “SHEAFFER’S.” The cap panels are a set of two straight lines with a dashed and diamond line between. Original colors produced were black, burgundy, pastel gray, pastel blue (or aqua), and pastel green. Buckskin tan, vermilion, and sage green were added later. In 1955, the Snorkel Sovereign sold for $12.50 and the matching pencil was $5.25.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SheafferSnorkelSovereignPastelGray_2048_01.jpg

Thanks!

[Lin_empire]

really impressive, always want a masterpiece snorkel with no monogram nor ding or dent.

Congrats!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Sovereign in Black c. 1952-1959. The Sovereign has an open 14 karat gold nib with two-tone mask, possibly palladium (similar to earlier Feathertouch nibs), polished stainless steel cap with five engraved panels and plastic barrel and gold-filled clip stamped “SHEAFFER’S.” The cap panels are a set of two straight lines with a dashed and diamond line between. Original colors produced were black, burgundy, pastel gray, pastel blue (or aqua), and pastel green. Buckskin tan, vermilion, and sage green were added later. In 1955, the Snorkel Sovereign sold for $12.50 and the matching pencil was $5.25.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SheafferSnorkelSovereignBlack_2048_01.jpg

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

 

This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Signature in Black c. 1952-1959. It has a two-tone plated (possibly palladium) 14 karat gold Triumph nib, 14 karat gold 3/8 inch cap band (note the hallmark), gold-filled clip, and plastic cap and barrel. Customers who purchased Snorkel Autograph and Signature pens could have their personal signature copied onto the gold cap band by sending the pen to Sheaffer including an engraving certificate for the owner to supply a sample. There was no additional cost for the engraving. From 1948 until at least 1957 Sheaffer’s Maxine Shagsta had the job of freehand copying the owner’s signature onto the band. The method was to coat the band with white paint, draw the signature onto the paint, exposing the gold underneath, and then cutting the copy with a steel engraving tool. Each pen took about twenty minutes. The Signature model came in black, burgundy and pastel green. It’s 5 ½ inches long and sold for $25.00 in 1955. The matching pencil sold for $10.00.

 

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SheafferSnorkelSignatureBlack_2048_01.jpg

 

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Autograph in Black c. 1952-1959. It has a two-tone plated (possibly palladium) 14 karat gold Triumph nib, a 14 karat gold 19/32 inch cap band (note the hallmark), and a black plastic cap and barrel. This example is not engraved. It came in two versions: early Autographs have a 14 karat gold clip; late versions have a gold-filled clip. Customers who purchased Snorkel Autograph and Signature pens could have their personal signature copied onto the gold cap band by sending the pen to Sheaffer including an engraving certificate for the owner to supply a sample. There was no additional cost for the engraving. From 1948 until at least 1957 Sheaffer’s Maxine Shagsta had the job of freehand copying the owner’s signature onto the band. The method was to coat the band with white paint, draw the signature onto the paint, exposing the gold underneath, and then cutting the copy with a steel engraving tool. Each pen took about twenty minutes. Articles about her say she could do 20-25 pens a day. It’s 5 ½ inches long and sold for $27.50 in 1955. The matching pencil sold for $17.50.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SheafferSnorkelAutograph_2048_01.jpg

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Saratoga in Pastel Blue c. 1952-1959. The Saratoga has an open 14 karat gold nib with platinum mask (similar to earlier Feathertouch nibs), plastic cap and barrel, gold-filled clip stamped "SHEAFFER'S", and 1/4" wide gold-filled cap band. Colors produced were black, burgundy, pastel gray, pastel blue (or aqua), and pastel green. In 1955, the Snorkel Saratoga sold for $11.95 and with a matching pencil, $17.95.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SheafferSnorkelSaratogaPastelBlue_2048_01.jpg

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Crest Burgundy fountain pen c. 1952-1955. The fountain pen comes with a two-tone plated 14 karat gold Triumph nib, gold filled cap with a repeating pattern of four straight longitudinal engraved lines in a stepped grouping, gold-filled clip, and plastic barrel. Barrel colors produced from 1952 to 1955 were black, burgundy, pastel grey, pastel blue (or aqua), and pastel green. A new burgundy color along with buckskin tan and fern green were added later. The Crest fountain pen is 5 ½ inches long and sold for $25.00 in 1955 and $30.00 by 1959. The matching pencil sold for $9.00 in 1955 and $10.00 by 1959.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SheafferSnorkelCrestBurgundy_2048_01.jpg

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Crest Pastel Blue fountain pen c. 1956-1958. The fountain pen comes with a two-tone plated 14 karat gold Triumph nib, gold filled cap with a repeating pattern of four straight longitudinal engraved lines in a stepped grouping, gold-filled clip, and plastic barrel. Barrel colors produced from 1952 to 1955 were black, burgundy, pastel grey, pastel blue (or aqua), and pastel green. A new burgundy color along with buckskin tan and fern green were added later. The Crest fountain pen is 5 ½ inches long and sold for $25.00 in 1955 and $30.00 by 1959. The matching pencil sold for $9.00 in 1955 and $10.00 by 1959.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SheafferSnorkelCrestPastelBlue_2048_01.jpg

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Crest Buckskin Tan fountain pen c. 1956-1958. The fountain pen comes with a two-tone plated 14 karat gold Triumph nib, gold filled cap with a repeating pattern of four straight longitudinal engraved lines in a stepped grouping, gold-filled clip, and plastic barrel. Barrel colors produced from 1952 to 1955 were black, burgundy, pastel grey, pastel blue (or aqua), and pastel green. A new burgundy color along with buckskin tan and fern green were added later. The Crest fountain pen is 5 ½ inches long and sold for $25.00 in 1955 and $30.00 by 1959. The matching pencil sold for $9.00 in 1955 and $10.00 by 1959.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SheafferSnorkelCrestBuckskinTan_2048_01.jpg

Thanks!

[DitasVeg]

This is my Statesman (I think) set, bought on eBay at least 15 years ago. Fully functional of course.

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Sheaffer Snorkel Saratoga in Pastel Gray c. 1952-1959. The Saratoga has an open 14 karat gold nib with platinum mask (similar to earlier Feathertouch nibs), plastic cap and barrel, gold-filled clip stamped "SHEAFFER'S", and 1/4" wide gold-filled cap band. Colors produced were black, burgundy, pastel gray, pastel blue (or aqua), and pastel green. In 1955, the Snorkel Saratoga sold for $11.95 and with a matching pencil, $17.95.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SheafferSnorkelSaratogaPastelGray_2048_01.jpg

Thanks!

[sztainbok]

Going through my Snorkel collection, I discovered that this Snorkel signature, has a gold colored snorkel tube, which I found very unusual. The cap band is marked 14k.

Does anybody know about this variation, when it was introduced and for how long?

 

[inkstainedruth]

I think the earlier model Snorkels had gold breather tubes, but don't quote me on that.

Looks like your pen is a Valiant (white dot, plastic cap, wide cap band, two color Triumph nib). There's a good table of the various Snorkel models here: http://(bleep).com/website/sheaffersnorkelguide.htm

One of mine had a gold breather tube originally; but a guy said "Oh, I can show you how to repair it..." and his method was to (a) do the work himself instead of telling me how; and ( replacing the tube and sac with one he had, so HE ended up with the gold tube. So the tube in the pen now is not original OR (possibly) correct....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

Edited September 4, 2019 by inkstainedruth