How Much Should I Pay For A Flexible Waterman 52?

[Usafencer]

I'm going to my first show and am looking to buy a waterman, but I don't know how much to spend. Can anyone help?

[Cyber6]

Oh lord.. that depends on make/model/material/nib/condition... you can go from $10 - $1500 !!

 

Better bring a knowledgeable friend with you.

 

 

 

C.

Edited March 22, 2016 by Cyber6

[FarmBoy]

Oh lord.. that depends on make/model/material/nib/condition... you can go from $10 - $1500 !!

 

Better bring a knowledgeable friend with you.

 

 

 

C.

Better add a 0 to your number. Especially if the fencer wants a woodgrain 58.

[kirchh]

Oh lord.. that depends on make/model/material/nib/condition... you can go from $10 - $1500 !!

Make is Waterman, model is 52, material would almost certainly be hard rubber, nib is flexible.

 

From a reputable seller who knows what s/he is offering, expect to pay $200-$500 for a restored example.

 

--Daniel

[FarmBoy]

More seriously, a standard grade restored 52 without a flexible nib you should be able to find for around 100. Add a flexible nib and it might hit 200.

 

With overlays the price is all about condition. Gold filled < solid gold < Sterling < acid etched silver. Black HR is less than colored hard rubber. Some pens will have a special feature or be unusual and the price will reflect that. Such as a slip cap lever filled pen.

 

I sold two 0552s at a recent pen posse with flexible nibs for under 200 each as a guide.

[kirchh]

solid gold < Sterling?

 

--Daniel

[FarmBoy]

solid gold < Sterling?

 

--Daniel

Well about the same. We were able to sell the Silver coated pens in LA but not the solid gold versions which were priced just a bit higher. Makes me think Silver pens are in this season.

[kirchh]

I'll trade you sterling 52s even up for solid gold.

 

--Daniel

[Cryptos]

More seriously, a standard grade restored 52 without a flexible nib you should be able to find for around 100. Add a flexible nib and it might hit 200.

 

With overlays the price is all about condition. Gold filled < solid gold < Sterling < acid etched silver. Black HR is less than colored hard rubber. Some pens will have a special feature or be unusual and the price will reflect that. Such as a slip cap lever filled pen.

 

I sold two 0552s at a recent pen posse with flexible nibs for under 200 each as a guide.

 

<Emphasis mine>

 

I've asked repeatedly about this over the last year and I have never been offered a standard 52 with a flexible nib at 200 or less. Never. This is especially vexing as I am not in a position to travel several thousand kilometres just to visit a show.

 

To the OP: I hope you get a good deal, and that you enjoy the show.

[redbike]

A couple of years ago, I purchased a BHR Waterman 52 from an FPN member via the Classifieds forum. The pen didn't have a clip and the barrel threads didn't hold the cap too well. But it had a very nice flexible nib. Cost was $65, as I recall. These pens don't have to cost a lot if you're willing to accept some flaws.

Edited March 22, 2016 by redbike

[Polanova]

I remember having read a blog post by a professional seller somewhere who wrote that it wasn`t too long ago that Waterman`s 52 could be bought cheaply by the dozen, as they were (& probably still are) quite common.

Because it`s the first pen most people would recommend when asked what vintage pens have flex nibs, Waterman`s 52 apparently have become more and more expensive in recent years. Just the other day or so I`ve seen one go at Ebay for over 200 (maybe 250 - I didn`t follow the auction till the end).

 

Suggestion: There were many makers of flexible nibs other than WM, so it might be worthwhile to look for adequate & possibly less expensive alternatives

Edited March 22, 2016 by Polanova

[gregamckinney]

A couple of years ago, I purchased a BHR Waterman 52 from an FPN member via the Classifieds forum. The pen didn't have a clip and the barrel threads didn't hold the cap too well. But it had a very nice flexible nib. Cost was $65, as I recall. These pens don't have to cost a lot if you're willing to accept some flaws.

 

(My response is assuming you are referring to a pen with a flexible nib.)

I agree to some extent. However, the flex craze wasn't in effect a couple of years ago. Prices for vintage pens with any kind of flex to them have absolutely skyrocketed to frankly absurd levels in the last year or so. A flex nib at all these days would be hard to find for $65.

 

greg

[gregamckinney]

I remember having read a blog post by a professional seller somewhere who wrote that it wasn`t too long ago that Waterman`s 52 could be bought cheaply by the dozen, as they were (& probably still are) quite common.

Because it`s the first pen most people would recommend when asked what vintage pens have flex nibs, Waterman`s 52 apparently have become more and more expensive in recent years. Just the other day or so I`ve seen one go at Ebay for over 200 (maybe 250 - I didn`t follow the auction till the end).

 

Suggestion: There were many makers of flexible nibs other than WM, so it might be worthwhile to look for adequate & possibly less expensive alternatives

 

I think you are referring to David Nishimura's blog post from about a year ago. http://vintagepensblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/why-waterman-52.html

You and he make an excellent point about looking at other makers.

 

greg

[Polanova]

 

I think you are referring to David Nishimura's blog post from about a year ago. http://vintagepensblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/why-waterman-52.html

You and he make an excellent point about looking at other makers.

 

greg

 

Right, that`s been the one

I`ve never been to a pen show but imagine that it`s the perfect opportunity to hunt (and try out!!) for a nice nib.

[Z-Tab]

If you're at a pen show, I would expect that you'll have a wide variety of Waterman 52s to choose from. That should give you a pretty good sense of what prices are like.

 

Of course, if you can assume the risk of buying an unrestored pen from eBay, then you might be able to find a much lower price.

[EffyA]

I have the 52 1/2v but it is with a clip and I also notice the top of the cap has a hole in it, normal? Also it has several holes like two Vertical ones on top with next two additional horizontal ones that are a little lower on the cap on left side, is that normal as well?

[gregamckinney]

EffyA, I answered in the other thread (not answering here in order to merge the topic.)

greg

[sidthecat]

There's a lot of flex around if that's what you're looking for. I found several nice pens at the LA show: you just have the patience to test them all.