Waterman Ideal Starlet - Value And Ink Sac Size?

[Synnove]

Hi,

 

I have my eye on a Waterman Starlet that seems to be in good shape aside from the need of a new ink sac. Here is a writing sample that was provided: http://s11.postimg.org/amlduq3ir/Waterman.jpg

 

The seller wants 45 USD. Am I correct in thinking this might be a tad high given the work the pen will need? Also, does anyone know what ink sac I'd need to purchase to get the pen back in working order?

 

Thanks!

Edited July 13, 2015 by Synnove

[zygote]

I just put a new size 16 sac on a waterman starlet last night and it's working well. I used it all day today at work on one fill, the only issue it had was when it sat forgotten in my car for half an hour or so after lunch, overheated and burped ink into the cap. The amount of work it took was rather negligible in my opinion. About a minute with the hair dryer to get the section off (I don't think it was actually shellacked together but it wasn't coming apart) took about two minutes to remove the old sac from the barrel and the section, put the pieces in baggies with a little bit of pen cleaner in them and ran them through the ultrasonic cleaner for about 3 minutes, rinsed everything and dried it, measured the sac and cut it, dabbed a bit of shellac on the nipple, put the sac on using tweezers as a spreader, set it all down to dry, looked at it and measured it again against the barrel, cussed a bit, pulled the sac off and cut it down to the correct length, dabbed on more shellac and put the sac on again, set it down and ran out with my husband so i wouldn't be tempted to fuss with it, returned home about two hours later, put the section back in the barrel and inked it up, then spent an hour or so before bed playing with it. Up until I put it down and left the area I had maybe half an hour invested in the process. I did not polish my pen, but that would add time and the cost of the polish to the process.

 

As for the value, it's subjective. I paid right around the price you mentioned for mine. It has a flexible nib and a fine point, it holds plenty of ink for my purposes, it's pretty, and it's my first pen restoration, all of which I find highly valuable. Because my judgement is clouded with infatuation and sentiment I wouldn't sell mine for anything less than what most people would find ridiculous.

I would caution you to ask to see fresh pictures of the nib and it's underside that were taken after the writing. From the scratches in the paper it appears as though the writer was really digging into the paper and flexing regardless of the direction of movement while writing some of the letters in waterman.

Edited July 22, 2015 by zygote