I thought the modern Parker Penman Sapphire replacement was Monteverde Horizon Blue
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/c...sapphire-7.jpg
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I thought the modern Parker Penman Sapphire replacement was Monteverde Horizon Blue
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/c...sapphire-7.jpg
On Chrissy's chart and my 'monitor,' the Diamine Sargasso Sea looks closest.
What Chrissy's chart doesn't show is that Penman Sapphire also sheens.
From memory, Sargasso Sea comes close both in looks and sheen.
Another thing about the Penman inks was that they are/were very water resistant.
I don't have any Monteverde Horizon Blue to compare with my PPS but in images I've seen Horizon Blue always seems to look significantly brighter and more purplish than PPS.
Not that that matters at all. If some like it as a replacement to PPS then that's great. :)
I use MV HB as my alternative to PPS, and, yes, I'm working through a bottle-and-a-half of real PPS. I have PPS in my favorite P-51 and HB in my almost-favorite P-51 Special. Both medium nibs. I can't tell the difference.
(And, yes, I've tried PR DC Supershow Blue, and the FPN mix of roughly 50:50 Diamine Sapphire Blue and Majestic Blue. HB seems closer).
With the help of Wile E Coyote references ( very kindly provided ) I think we can now confirm the UK release as 1993.
I have managed to get hold of the Penman Ink brochure which was print dated Nov 1992.
Some further information that I was told today :
During early 1991 Parker at Newhaven Sussex England hired an ink chemist genius, Leighton Davies-Smith PhD.
It took 18 months to develop it at a cost of over £38,000
These inks was designed for use with the Sonnet Premier pen range and released in mid 1993.
The ink was manufactured at Parker, Newhaven, the cartridges were filled and made at the Parker factory at Meru France along with the entire Sonnet pens range.
In 1999 after making large losts ( development costs ) Parker discontinued this ink.
Obviously this ink was offered a lot later ( old stock )
I believe the last of this Penman ink was offered in revised oval bottles ( Ebony only ) in the DUOFOLD Limited Editions - Duofold Cloisonne & True Blue Limited - 2006/7