New Waterman 52 1/2 V First Impressions

[Uncle Red]

I ordered from David Nishimura's site http://www.vintagepens.com/index.shtml. I have no affiliation with this site.

I had money from my birthday last month so I ordered a Waterman 52 1/2V with a box. For those not familiar with the pen it's a small, lever filled pen made to go in a man's vest (waistcoat in the UK) pocket. Mine is made from a mix of red and black hard rubber in a pattern Waterman called Ripple but everyone now calls it red ripple. These pens were made from the mid 20's to the mid 30's. There were some delivery issues but the pen was supposed to arrive today. I told the guy at the front desk here at work that I was expecting a box and waited.

 

 

 

 

 

And waited.

 

 

 

 

 

Then I figured it would be here Mon, that's OK. It happens. If there's one thing we learn from dealing with the internet it's to take these things with quiet dignity and grace.

 

I got up to check something else and there was the package in my mailbox. :roflmho: He did the same thing with Ink Drop on Tuesday. Normally he lets me know something's come in.

 

I open the package and there's a Parker Ballpoint and the Waterman box wrapped in lots of bubble wrap.

There's nothing wrong with the ballpoint, it's nice. It was a nice surprise. It'll find a nice home with someone that would appreciate a nice SS Parker ballpoint. Someone other than me.

 

The Waterman box is in nice shape. I won't look that good when I'm 60 plus y.o.

 

I open the box and the pen is wrapped in modern tissue paper. So I unwrap the paper

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Wow, it's bright and shiny. It's got great color. The fittings are hardly brassed, just a bit on the ring on the cap. The cap band and lever are great. On close inspection there are little dings and scratches on the barrel and cap but they're minor. The nib could be polished but I'm going to fill it at home so I won't bother. The impressions on the barrel look better than David's pictures of them but I couldn't take any better pictures.

It's smaller than I thought it would be but it'll fit perfectly in a vest pocket. I could just use it unposted but posted would be better. I managed to get the pattern on the cap and body to line up on the third try recapping it. This is my best birthday present to myself.

 

I can't wait to try it out. I'll post some pictures tonight or tomorrow.

Edited September 9, 2011 by Uncle Red

[ticoun]

nice! a 52 is on my "to buy" list right now.

[John_David_91]

I love Waterman <3

[Uncle Red]

Here are a few pictures. Hm, this is like a brag book :roflmho:

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a picture with an Esterbrook J for scale

 

 

My pictures don't do the pen any justice, it's a knock out!

[jar]

Very nice. I have a couple 52½Vs, both black though, one smooth finish, one chased. Great little pens. I need to take a picture of them next to the YoL Viceroy Pocket.