| |
| SHEAFFER TARGA 1976 to 1999- A BRIEF HISTORY |
First produced in 1976 the "Targa by Sheaffer" owes its name to the Targa Florio, an open road endurance race held near Palermo Sicily. Founded in 1906 it was one of the oldest sports car racing events until it was stopped in 1977, it is now run as a rallying event.
|
| |
| Genesis was the name originally chosen for the model but just before the launch it was changed to Targa.This changed happened because it was pointed out that sales in the middle east could be compromised with the name Genesis. |
| The targa fitted with the iconic inlaid nib has been sold in over 70 different finishes, a total of around 120 fountain pens in classic and slimline. The classic fountain pen was the first size made in 1976,with trends in the early eighties leaning towards a sleeker look the slim model was introduced in 1982. |
 |
Targa slimline ivory laque pen |
| |
1001 Stainless steel classic |
1097 Masterpiece 18KT solid gold classic |
|
|
The stainless steel fountain pen with a steel nib was the starting point of the range . At the top of the range was the solid gold masterpiece with an 18kt solid gold nib, and had a retail value that peaked at £4750 in 1992. In between these two pens are a vast array of finishes including chrome-metallic- matte-white gold plate- brass-brass& lacquer-laque-silver plate-gold plate--palladium plate-wood and sterling silver . |
 |
| |
I was once told and I quote, "the Targa is like a lady who has been dressed in every conceivable outfit". It certainly has a pen for every man's pocket or every ladies purse.
During its 23 years of production, spanning three decades, the Targa was only discounted in the later years of production, a policy that kept the model sort after, therefore maintaining its retail price. |
| Away from the normal stock lines Sheaffer produced a few Targas in special editions like the two made for Harrods of London. The first was made in 1988 an emerald green fountain pen with translucent green lacquer over moire guilloche engraving; only 60 pieces out of 250 left the factory for retail sale. The second fountain pen came out in 1989 a stunning ivoire pen with spiral guilloche engraving covered with an opaque white lacquer; around 100 pieces were made of this model. |
 |
Targa Ivoire spiral |
| |
| In 1988 a leather look finish was produced in a gift set of fountain pen, ballpen and watch, the finish resembled the dry plains of Africa, a wooden pen was made in France during 1989 and is called Palissandre de Rio. |
 |
Targa Palissandre de Rio Fountain Pen and Ballpen |
| |
 |
| Targa leather set. |
| |
| A small quantity of Targa pens were decorated with butterflys, the number of pens made is reported to be around five pieces.The cloisonne style work was done by Sailor pens - Japan.These pens were made during a period when Sailor distributed Sheaffer pens in Japan. |
 |
Targa Butterfly Cloisonne Slimline fountain pen,ballpen and pencil |
| |
| One of the more expensive pens at the time was the Fred force 10, a venture with Fred Joaillier and was introduced in February 1992 with a retail value of £330. The pen is quite unique with its ornament on the pen cap different from all other targas, the body of the pen had a palladium plated nautical cable pattern and was fitted with an 18kt solid gold nib. |
 |
| Targa Fred force 10 |
| |
| Only one limited edition was produced in co-operation with classic pens, limited to 250 pens worldwide, it was the first of the classic pens made and is known as CP1. The pen is sterling silver with a gold plated clip and cut with the vannerie pattern. |
 |
| |
| |
In conclusion the Targa had the quality engineering and style of an American pen, but was given another dimension with the artisan flair of the European finishes making the Targa a true modern classic, also available in slimline!
|
