SHEAFFER NOSTALGIA

The first Nostalgia pens were introduced in 1970, the style revived the elegance of the art deco era, faithful to the original design of the 1920’s, the unique relief scrolled design is delicately engraved and placed over a lustrous black shell. 

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The early Nostalgia's were limited edition commemorative pens called Nostalgia/1924, two finishes were available in 14K Gold and Silver, each pens serial number was stamped on the pens barrel .
Nostalgia/1924 14K Solid Gold Overlay.
The Image above shows the 14K stamp on the clip and the numbering on the plastic part of the barrel.
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These early limited edition Nostalgia/1924 pens will only fit the old style classic size push button filler, the barrel will not accommodate the more recent metal push bar or piston convertor.
 
 
The Nostalgia fountain pens re-appear in 1980, the Sterling Silver was re-introduced along with a new finish in Vermeil , a ballpoint pen was also available in both finishes.
Nostalgia 800 Sterling Silver & Nostalgia 801 Vermeil.
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Sheaffer Nostalgia advertisment from the early 1980's.
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Nostalgia 800 Sterling Silver Ballpen
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The 800 Sterling Silver fountain pens were originally fitted with the 14K plain monotone nib, in 1988 a new scrolled patterned 18K mono-tone nib was introduced, then in 1993 the tone-tone gold and palladium 18K scrolled nib was used.     
14K Plain nib - Fitted To 1924 Limited Editions, 1970.
14K Plain Nib - Fitted to 800 Silver and 801Vermeil pens stamped with USA on cap, 1980-1988.
14K Plain Australian Nib - Fitted to 800 Silver and 801 Vermeil pens not stamped on cap with country of manufacture, 1980-1988.
18K Mono-tone scrolled nib fitted to 800 Silver pens, 1988-1993.
18K Two-Tone scrolled nib fitted to 800 Silver 1993-1996, 802 Silver Etched-1992, 803 Vermeil Etched -1992.
Nostalgia 800 Sterling Silver with monotone scrolled nib - Circa 1988-1993
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Nostalgia 800 Sterling Silver with two-tone scrolled nib - Circa 1993-1996

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The Vermeil version is 23K electroplated gold onto Sterling Silver; reference shows these pens were available from 1980 to 1986 which would indicate they were only available fitted with the 14K plain mono-tone nib unit. The three different types of nib units will interchange to any Nostalgia pen body, so it’s not unusual to see the Vermeil pen with a scrolled nib fitted.
Nostalgia 801 Vermeil (23ct gold plated onto Sterling Silver).
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Below are shown the various styles of engraving work done on the Nostalgia overlay pens
Nostalgia 14K Solid Gold.
Nostalgia 800 Sterling Silver.
Nostalgia 800 Sterling Silver.
Nostalgia 801 Vermeil.
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The pen pictured below is a Nostalgia Sterling Silver VSOE, which I believe was sold on the Venice Simplon - Orient-Express. Sheaffer had connections with the famous train and 1982 they ran a promotion called the Orient-Express Competition, the 1st prize was a 10 day trip on the Orient-Express including a weekend in Paris, 3 nights in Venice and a 3 day cruise through the Adriatic and Greek Islands.
SHEAFFER NOSTALGIA VENICE SIMPLON ORIENT EXPRESS STERLING SILVER FOUNTAIN PEN
   
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Image scanned from a 1982 Booklet advertising the Orient-Express Competition.
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The Nostalgia engraved pens were introduced in 1992, with a profile identical to the original Nostalgia, unlike the original version the shell is solid and engraved with an etched floral pattern, the cap also has an engraving panel. Only available in two finishes, Sterling Silver and Vermeil, these pens had a very brief production of around one year.
Nostalgia 802 Sterling Silver Engraved Fountain Pen - Circa -1992.
Nostalgia 803 Vermeil Engraved Fountain Pen - Circa -1992.
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A wonderful two tone engraved floral etched pen was made by Sheaffer, I believe it must have been made around 1992, to date I have found no reference to these pens.
Nostalgia Two-Tone Engraved Fountain pen
The two Nostalgia two tone engraved pens below differ, the one on top being stamped and hallmarked on a wider cap band, the one below has no markings and a narrow cap band. I beleive the bottom one is a prototype and and maybe the top one is a special edition.
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In the same year Sheaffer started to make a range of Nostalgia desk accessories in Sterling Silver, all three complemented the Nostalgia pens.
The letter knife handle repeats the Nostalgia pattern and the blade was designed for strength and durability.
The rocker blotter also features the exquisite Nostalgia lattice work in sterling silver.
The ink bottle’s fully leaded crystal is faceted by finger flutes and crowned with the Nostalgia pattern on a hinged silver cap.
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W.A.SHEAFFER COMMEMORATIVE PEN
The W.A.Sheaffer commemorative pen was released in 1996 and although not offically a Nostalgia pen , it is close enough to be included in the Nostalgia family. A limited edition lever-fill fountain pen of 6000 pieces, each pen is individually numbered and packaged in a chest crafted from Cherry. Constructed from a solid brass rod with a layer of nickel plate beneath the 23k gold electroplate finish, the commemorative fountain pen is a writing instrument of significant heft.
An inticate scrolled pattern has been engraved into the surfaces of the cap and barrel. The 18K gold nib is two-tone with a silver-coloured palladium plated chevron, as a finishing touch the each pen's individual serial number and the W.A.Sheaffer Pen Co.Pat.No.896,861 are engraved near the lever.
The image below shows examples of modern Nostalgia pens with the original Sheaffer overlay and engraved ones that inspired the Nostalgia designs, the vintage pens are wonderful works of art.
Photography by Sarj Minhas and use with his kind permission.
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