1960's Sheaffer Imperial VIII Touchdown Gold Filled Cap 14K Semi-Flex Fine Nib Fountain Pen Item ID: SHE-003

Sheaffer Imperial VIII Touchdown

Manufacturer/Model: Sheaffer USA / Imperial VIII Touchdown
Year of production: 1961
Filling system:  Touchdown Sheaffer Filling System
Nib: Solid 14K 585 Gold, F fine size with semi flexibility, will write Medium and Broad
Material: Black resin plastic and gold filled cap 
Length (pen closed):  Oversize at 139mm; posted at 149mm

Condition and information:
This is the last and the most refined model of the original Imperial model, the Touchdown VIII model. This particular pen was the flagship pen of that line, with the gold filled cap and black resin body. This pen is probably one of the best looking pens in the world, with a perfect form factor and a stunning nib design. The pen design is based on the PFM "Pen For Men" model, which was phasing out at the time, and it was also bit bulky and complex. This model was meant to improve the the PFM and streamline the pen. The result was nearly perfect, the Imperial VIII series pen came in 1961. The pen features the so called Touchdown filling system, where the tuning knob extends to a cylinder which fills an inner bladder by creating vacuum. This is a very simple, fun and easy to use filling system. This model was also reincarnated by the new line from Sheaffer called the Imperial Triumph Deluxe made in 1995, it is based on this pen to celebrate its success. The unique part of this pen is the nib, which surprisingly is a semi-flexible nib, unlike most nibs on these pens which were stiff. The nib is smooth F fine size, but if pressed gently while writing it will write medium and even broad, thus producing a great line variation. However if the pen is not pressed while writing it will produce a constant sharp fine line, clean with no excess ink on the paper. The pen can be considered oversize by today's standards, at almost 140mm it is a big pen. When the cap is posted, due to its weight it gives the pen a great balance and feel in the hand. The cap features a spring clip that can extend to fit any thickness pocket fabric. The pen is in absolute mint condition, minimal to no signs of use, no dings, scratches or cracks, perfectly preserved and functional ready to be used.