I recently bought an old, smooth black hard rubber Waterman Ideal pen with what I believe is called a stanhope. It is an area above the clip on the cap that you can look into and see a picture. This one has a man, John Mayes Hammond and it says something about the only president and a common bond between east and west. Also, on the pen are the initials R.M.C and the date January 9, 1917. Is anyone familiar with this item and does it have any special value as far as Waterman Ideal pens are concerned?

I was able to find out some information about Joh Mayes Hammond but I didn't find anything on the R.M.C. and the 1917 date. Help!

Projectqoe

Pens with stanhopes are not unheard of, but I am only aware of one made by Waterman. For their 35th anniversary, Waterman made a commemorative pen with a special barrel imprint, and a stanhope in the cap. This stanhope, though, was of the Waterman building in NYC.
I believe either David Nishimura or Ron Dutcher have information on this Waterman, but I can't find it at the moment. Al Mayman has a bit about it on his site: http://www.penultimatefountainpens.com/watermanclip.htm

If you could post pictures of your pen, it would help identify it.

Regards, greg

Thanks for the info and the link. I would post a photo of my pen, but I am technologically challenged in that area. I may get some help from one of my "computer wiz" kids and be able to show the pen in the future.

Projectqoe (Suzie)