Buying Guide To Older Watermans?

[Slpederson]

So reading here has convinced me to try an older (pre-WWII) Waterman. Preferably something from the teens. But I'm clueless as to what to look for, look out for, values, etc. I now have about a dozen 1970s to early 2000s pens, my favorites bring the Expert and the Laureat with a Fine nib. But looking at eBay (which seems to be the least expensive source), I feel lost. Has anyone written a guide to buyng older Watermans? In print or online? The history pages such as Rchard's Pens help with identification, but are not much help in guiding my shopping. Any help or thoughts appreciated.

[linearM]

I don't know of any buyer's guide but would suggest you do some comparative shopping. Check on prices of like pens sold in the classifieds here on FPN. Check what pens are going for on Peyton Street Pens, Ross Pens, Mainstreet Pens, Fountain Pen Hospital, vintage Flex, and other sellers you might know about. Get sort of a ballpark figure. I wouldn't use eBay prices as a measure, don't know if others would agree.

[rivermaze]

I'm not really into vintage pens and not really the best person to recommend anything. Anyway, you may find several interesting posts on vintage Watermans here: http://goodwriterspens.com/category/waterman/, and plenty more on other early 20 century pens. Deb also sells pens; conservatively restored and in really good prices.

Edited April 12, 2015 by rivermaze

[terim]

Watermans from the teens are going to look pretty boring to a modern pen user, unless you spend a bunch of money on something with fancy silver or gold work. They are mostly black hard rubber faded to various hues. Where they get interesting is in the variety of nibs and what can be done with them. Most will be eye dropper filling, but you might get a kick out of a safety pen.

[Left FPN]

I agree to disagree, a #52 in black or RR, lever filler, would be my suggestion @ £50 to £100. It may need a new sac but that's only £10 tops with the shellac. Look for one with a heart nib and it will most likely have some flex. Plus it will not lose money.

[sidthecat]

I've collected a handful of the 52 1/2v ringtops and they're interesting pens. Not to look at, unless you're fascinated by brown, but they sold them with the same nibs as the larger pens. If you can deal with the small size they can be a bargain.

[Procyon]

Unless you have a real desire for an eyedropper filled pen, I would suggest you go a little later and look for a 92 or 94. These are very nice pens with an array of interesting colors. They are lever filled and reliable.

 

Because of the mania for flex nibs, the 52 has become pretty expensive in my opinion for a simple BHR pen. It used to be one of the cheaper ways to get a flex nib - but it certainly isn't the only way. Here are some 94s. The first were unusual colored hard rubber and are pretty expensive. These shown are late plastic which is more reasonable in price, except for the bayleaf overlay and a few others (black pen with sterling hardware, mahogany with reverse trim, all the Persians).

 

http://fountainpenboard.com/forum/uploads/fpngallery/album_116/gallery_6983_116_67676.jpg

 

http://fountainpenboard.com/forum/uploads/fpngallery/album_116/gallery_6983_116_119900.jpg

Edited April 16, 2015 by Procyon

[sidthecat]

Those are some lovely pens! Did they make any ringtops? You can find Lady Patricias in that configuration, but I don't know much about the 94.

[Procyon]

I believe Waterman had pretty much stopped making ringtops by this time. At least I can't think of any. However, I admit I don't pay much attention to ring-tops because I don't like them. They were meant to be small women's pens, and most are too small to write with for me. In any case, there are no 92 or 94 ringtops, as far as I know.

 

If you like ringtops, you don't have to stick with BHR. You can also get red ripple, cardinal, and gold-filled and sterling silver overlays in quite a few patterns.

[Slpederson]

For an older pen, I frankly don't care much about if it's pretty or not. I have pretty pens, I especially like my copper enameled Expert II and blue resin Expert I. I've been shopping for a 52, in fact there's a 52 and a 52 1/2 on eBay I'm bidding on now. The 52 has parts from three different pens and what the seller claims s a NOS cap. Does this decrease the value? I'm going to add the 92 and 94 to my shopping list due to Procyon's enthusiasm. Is there anything in particular I should look out for in older pens? I don't mind having it re-saced as I can get it done for $30. I do check nibs for corrosion but all the ones I've seen have been 14K gold.

[Left FPN]

I can point you to a 58 of you have a 1000 quid.

[sidthecat]

Check out the 92 that's for bid now. The pictures aren't very good but you can tell what it is.