American-made Waterman's 42 1/2V, but with a French-made overlay

[Roger Zhao]

I've always loved these window diamond pattern safety pens, but I only ever owned a gold-plated Uniqlo before. Receiving a solid gold Waterman's, the leading brand of safety pens, was a delightful surprise.

 

The previous owner was Spanish, and he didn't seem to know it was a solid gold overlay, nor did he understand the meaning of the markings and inscriptions, so I bought it at a lovely price,LOL. There was a network problem during payment, and the seller couldn't print an invoice; I almost had to arrange a face-to-face transaction in Madrid.

 

Anyway, the Eagle Hallmark on the pen and the logo of JIF Group, Waterman's French distributor, on the back of the nib indicate that this pen was originally sold in France, then traveled over a century to Madrid, and finally crossed halfway around the world to Shanghai.

 

Waterman's naming convention in the 1920s was quite simple. This is a 4-finger safety pen; 2 fingers use a #2 nib; 1/2 and V represent the fine and short versions (Vest pocket) respectively.

 

Like most Waterman's safety pens, its ripple sleeve is made in the USA. However, unlike the non-overlay version, it lacks the Waterman's globe logo and patent number on the side, suggesting it was a special edition made specifically for later overlay. The 18K gold overlay is made in France. Like other gold items made in France, it is covered with stamps and hallmarks to prove its purity. The nib is manufactured in Waterman's New York factory, then exported to France for assembly.

 

I've been selling pens in Europe for over a year now, and many of the pens I've sold, including some from my own collection, come from other people's relics. Many pens were extremely valuable in their time, and have been preserved remarkably well for decades or even centuries. Yet, after their owners passed away, they lost the care and understanding of their owners, and were subsequently sold off cheaply by their descendants. It is truly a pity and a lamentable situation.

 

 

Roger,

Written in the late autumn/early winter of 2025 at Dormitory Building No. 8, Youyuan Campus, Tongji University

[Glenn-SC]

I thought that a 42-1/2 Waterman would have been a Safety (4*) pen with a No. 2 nib (*2) nib that is thin (1/2) and short (V).  
 

I would have had to tell the Seller that the overlay was solid gold and set a price on that.  

[GlenV]

Beautiful little pen.