Hey folks,

I just won a red ripple Waterman 7 with a Pink nib (the nib of my dreams) on eBay for $306. Is this even remotely worth it for an unrestored pen of this model? I've done a good deal of research, so I'm not quite shooting first and asking questions later, but I'd still like to read some comments. The seller assures me that there are no cracks in the pen. I see them for sale for $500 and up from dealers, so I figure even with the costs of a new sac, cleaning, etc. it's still cheaper than buying at collector prices.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=170189610549

Also, I would just like to share my excitement. I've been lusting after one of these babies for a long time.

I will only add that I would not have bought this pen at that price with those pictures. For the price/stakes of this auction, the seller really should provide decent pictures. This is not a $3 school pen. This is a vintage pen made of a material that is not easily repaired (hard rubber) and where the high flex nib may be fragile, but also of a very important character to the auction. This isn't a pen with a "throw away and replace" nib. Given the age of the pen, the inherent risks of damage to the pen over its 80 year life, the difficulty of repairing the fragile hard rubber, the importance and fragility of the high flex nib, and the inherent risk of an online sale, the seller should be providing better material to his prospective buyers.

Now that said, it may turn out to be a great pen and just what you're looking for. Part of the value assessment ultimately is in what kind of use and performance and enjoyment you get from the pen.

I don't mean to be a pulldown here is all.

Weeeeellll.... seems like a lot of money based on those pics.
You never know with eBay.

I hope it turns out to be a gem. You won't know until it's in your hand. I picked up an otherwise quite nice yellow #7 a few years back and found the nib had been dropped and bent. I asked the seller for a price adjustment and got it. Richard Binder made the nib fabulous again for a small fee.

Levers can be replaced, clips as well... and sprung and bent nibs can be worked out and/or retipped to be as original. So, as long as the HR is in good shape, and your color ring is decent on the cap... anything else can be fixed.

Fingers crossed for you.

Fortunately this is a seller I've dealt with before. At the very least he stands by what he says about an item and is willing to give refunds if his description isn't correct. So I made sure to ask him about just what you guys have mentioned: the condition of the hard rubber, the nib, the color cap band (which isn't as important to me because I'm not looking for a pen in perfect cosmetic condition), and brassing before bidding. By his indications, the pen is in sound condition as a user (no cracks, nib not damaged, etc.), so if it isn't, I'm at least fairly sure that he'll give me my money back, since he's done it before.

I understand the concern. I myself rarely ever take risks like this, especially on eBay. But I figure the chances of ever finding a decent Pink nib 7 in the wild are rare enough that I might as well gun for the best deal I can get below collector prices. But heck, I've been known to do some foolish things before. I hope this doesn't turn out to be one of them.

I'll resac the sucker, polish up the nib and trim, and take some better pics when it arrives.

When you're looking for something very old and specific, it really does limit the choices so sometimes it is a gamble indeed. If you're confident with this seller, then all the better.