Can anyone tell me about this Waterman?

[amin]

Link to auction I just won.

 

Item description: A black hard rubber Waterman fountain pen with lever fill.  I judge it as circa 1930.  It has a worn but very clear Waterman’s imprint on the barrel with made in England.

 

The general condition is at good and clean and with a touch discoloration of the rubber at the cap line on the barrel.   The nib is marked Waterman Ideal 2A and is medium.  The pen has been overhauled and a new sac fitted and is in excellent going order.  A good example in excellent working order.

 

Pics from auction:

http://i15.ebayimg.com/04/i/06/5c/d5/d2_1.JPG

 

http://i3.ebayimg.com/03/i/06/62/90/41_1.JPG

 

Okay so I know nothing about older Watermans, and extra nothing about this pen. Is the nib a nail, noodle, or something in between? Was $35 (including insured shipping) too much to pay? How big or small is this pen? Will it hold a decent amount of ink? This is my first lever fill pen. I emailed the seller to see if he can send me a couple better pics to 1) satisfy my curiousity while I wait, and 2) help me research what I bought. Certainly the seller has good Ebay feedback. Can anyone tell me anything about this pen?

Edited March 7, 2006 by amin

[amin]

I just did some Googling around for info. Guess I picked up a 52? Is this a short model (52V)? Is a 2A nib generally flexible? The tines in the pic look long suggesting to me that this one is? Thanks to anyone for more info.

Edited March 5, 2006 by amin

[wimg]

Hi Amin,

 

Considering the nib, and knowing its size, it does look like a short pen to me indeed. I can't help you otherwise, unfortunately, as I am not a Parker expert .

 

Warm regards, Wim

[amin]

Wim, thanks! Every bit helps.

[antoniosz]

Waterman 32? If I am right then $35 is not a sumgai, but not a bad price either if it works and the nib is in good shape.

 

The designation 2A does not guarantee flex, but chances are that the nib will be semiflex.

 

Good luck

[amin]

Antonios, thanks! Once I get the pen I'll post some follow up in this thread. If I may ask, what's the difference between a 32 and a 52? The best info I could find on numbering was here: http://www.vintagepens.com/FAQhistory/wate...numbering.shtml

 

*Edit* - I just found a site that states that the 32 is "the celluloid successor to the workhorse Waterman 52." The one they show does seem to resemble the pen I won.

Edited March 6, 2006 by amin

[amin]

Better pics:

 

http://i.pbase.com/g3/13/473213/2/56911175.W104610206.jpg

 

http://i.pbase.com/g3/13/473213/2/56911176.W104620206.jpg

[chupie]

It is certainly quite pretty. I hope you will post examples of the writing when you get it.

[amin]

Chupie, thanks! I will certainly do that .

[Carrie]

How do you like your pen and have you found out anymore about it? I've just got a Waterman 32 and it's my first Waterman pen, so I'll admit that I know nothing about them other than admiring some of the pictures of pens posted on here.

Mine is an Ideal with 32 on the end of the barrel and is made in the US and has a number 2 nib which is extra fine. Once the nib was straightened out, I'm finding that it writes very nicely.