Pen Profiles:
Early Self-Fillers - Lever-Fillers - Overlay Patterns
11729: Waterman Remex Self-Filler No. 101: rare early sleeve-filler, 14 cm long, all-aluminum construction with a hard rubber section assembly, sleeve rotates rather than slides to expose filler bar; originally made with the pressure bar tied to the sac, this specimen uses a more conventional attachment as found in other Waterman sleeve-fillers. Patent date imprint refers to William Ferris's patent 799,897 of 1905 (Ferris' patent 950,817 of 1910 is the one covering the usual Waterman sleeve-filler design), narrow feed, Remex nib; scattered nicks and shallow dings to the cap and rotating sleeve.
DATE: c. 1908 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: fine flex • $950
10974: Waterman 412 SF: black hard rubber clipless sleeve-filler with sterling silver "Filigree" overlay, 13.3 cm long, #2 New York nib is smooth and lively, number at end of barrel is worn away, sleeve overlay bears initials and date.
DATE: c. 1911 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: fine flex • $1200
16150: Waterman 414 PSF: extremely rare black hard rubber coin-filler with sterling silver filigree overlay; 13.4 cm long, all markings clear, a few light bumps to the cap crown, clip solidly attached but a bit loose side to side; very flexible #4 nib. Waterman made coin-fillers for a brief time and few survive. We originally sold this pen nearly 16 years ago, fresh from an estate.
DATE: c. 1913 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine flex • $2650
15906: Waterman 12 PSF: extremely early clipless black chased hard rubber lever-filler, 13.55 cm long, nickel plated trim, a rare example of one of the very first Waterman lever-fillers with a number of distinctive features, including the oval recess for the lever end, a sprung pressure bar assembled with a rivet and with a barrel-shaped anchor end, and a lever box stop consisting of a bent-over tab (discussed in this article). Lever-fillers marked "PSF" were made only from 1915 to mid-1917; of these, only a small number had sprung pressure bars and raised barrel threads; and of these, only a tiny fraction belong to the very first series with the features noted above, making them at least as rare as Waterman coin-fillers. Hard rubber is crisp and glossy with bold imprints and chasing, near mint but for repaired cracks in cap lip (see details).
DATE: 1915 • CONDITION: fine-exc* • NIB: medium fine stub semiflex • $385
7199: Waterman cigar cutter: celluloid body warped and markings badly worn, blade well-used. Unusual, as most examples marked on one side only. A promotional item given by company president Frank D. Waterman to his fellow Rotarians -- background history here.
DATE: c. 1915 • CONDITION: fair • $80
16489: Waterman 15 PSF: large smooth black hard rubber lever-filler, 13.8 cm long, early model with narrow raised barrel threads, two-piece sprung pressure bar, flattish lever end with large globe logo. Fading, imprints worn but clearly legible, two hairline cracks visible at base of nib.
DATE: c. 1916 • CONDITION: VG* • NIB: medium fine semiflex • $275
15735: Waterman 452½V: black hard rubber ringtop lever-filler, smooth sterling silver overlay, 9.55 cm long, early production with New York #2 nib, patent imprints on lever, and "PAT.APPLIED FOR" on pressure bar. Initials on cap, scuffs to silver but no deep dings.
DATE: c. 1917 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: medium semiflex • $195
16610: Waterman Signagraph eyedropper-filler: black hard rubber, made specifically for use in Waterman's Signagraph check-writing machine -- a pantograph-based device that enabled the user to sign multiple checks at once, or to make multiple copies of a handwritten document; moderate fading, shadow from Signagraph clamp.
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: medium stub flex • $295
13986: Waterman pencil: black hard rubber ringtop, 9.9 cm long, gold filled trim, "PAT. APL'D FOR" imprint, barrel band engraved with name, uses 1.1 mm lead, matches 52 1/2 V or 42 1/2 V pen. Moderate browning, blotch on barrel (see detail).
DATE: c. 1922 • CONDITION: VG • $35
8645: Waterman pencil: black chased hard rubber ringtop, 9.9 cm long, gold filled trim, crisp and dark, scratch through "PAT. APL'D FOR" imprint, uses 1.1 mm lead; matches 52 1/2 V or 42 1/2 V pen.
DATE: c. 1923 • CONDITION: fine • $45
16882: Waterman pencil: black hard rubber ringtop, 9.8 cm long, gold filled trim, "PAT. APL'D FOR" imprint, uses 1.1 mm lead, matches 52 1/2 V or 42 1/2 V pen. Moderate even fading, perfect working order.
DATE: c. 1923 • CONDITION: fine • $40
16378: Waterman 0552½ Pansy Panel set in box: black hard rubber slender full-length lever-filler, 13.3 cm long, 18K gold filled overlay with hand-engraved floral decoration, matching pencil uses 1.1 mm lead, both pieces neatly monogrammed, moderate even fading to hard rubber, only spot brassing to usual high points; #2 nib is classic Waterman, smooth with easy and responsive flexibility, pencil top is plain hard rubber replacement, original would have been metal covered.
DATE: c. 1923 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: fine flex • $695
15338: Waterman pencil: red hard rubber ringtop, 10 cm long, gold filled trim, marked "PAT. APL'D FOR", uses 1.1 mm lead; matches 52½V or 42½V pen.
DATE: c. 1923 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $80
10178: Waterman pencil: black hard rubber with gold filled "Sheraton" pattern overlay, 13.1 cm long; early production, uses 1.1 mm lead, next to no wear, minimal fading to hard rubber, but name on barrel and scattered pinprick blistering on the overlay (see details).
DATE: c. 1924 • CONDITION: fine-exc* • $90
13162: Waterman 552V LEC: rare and uncatalogued black hard rubber lever-filler with smooth solid 18K gold USA factory overlay, 11.15 cm long. 18K marks on cap, barrel, clip, lever, and nib; no French hallmarks, but tiny Jules Fagard stamp is on heel of nib and back of lever end. Pinprick marks to cap, bumps and polishing wear to milling at end of barrel. Barrel end bears no number, cap is longer than usual for a "V" size pen. The only example of its kind known to date.
DATE: c. 1924 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: fine flex • $1875
13044: Waterman 552½: black hard rubber lever-filler, solid 14K gold overlay, 13.5 cm long, good imprints on hard rubber, scattered pinprick dings and digs to the metal, seam line visible on edge of cap crown. An attractive and mechanically sound user.
DATE: c. 1924 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: medium semiflex • $525
16871: Waterman pencil: black hard rubber ringtop with sterling silver "Filigree" overlay, 9.95 cm long, uses 1.1 mm lead, propel-only mechanism, no eraser under top; matches 452½V or 442½V pen, "Helen G." elegantly engraved on barrel.
DATE: c. 1924 • CONDITION: fine • $95
15280: Waterman 0554 Pansy Panel: black hard rubber clipless lever-filler with rose gold filled overlay, 13.8 cm long, anomalous configuration with narrow raised barrel threads characteristic of early PSF production. Initials engraved on cap, #4 nib has nice flex though with limited line width range, excellent snapback.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine flex • $650
16306: Waterman pencil: black hard rubber ringtop with sterling silver "Filigree" overlay, 9.7 cm long, matches 452½V or 442½V pen, uses 1.1 mm lead. Earlier model without eraser inside.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: fine • $95
2632: Waterman world atlas: from a series intended for distribution in schools, this covers the United States; consists of one sheet, folded in half, fully opened measures 33 x 48 cm (13 x 19 inches), inside has map of USA with facts and figures about cities and states, copyright date of 1925, outside has strong images of Waterman pens; new old stock, suitable for framing.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: exc • $25
16230: Waterman pencil: black hard rubber with sterling silver "Gothic" pattern overlay, 13 cm long, uses 1.1 mm lead; mechanically sound, some rough patches and pinhead dings to the silver.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: VG • $105
15835: Waterman 54: extremely rare smooth black hard rubber lever-filler with stanhope viewer in cap, showing Waterman's Newark factory; 14.15 cm long, nickel plated trim, crisp and glossy with bold imprints, condition like new. Nearly all extant Waterman pens with stanhopes are #13 dropper-fillers made to commemorate the company's 35th anniversary -- only a handful of later lever-fillers with stanhopes are known.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: near mint • NIB: medium flex • $2500
10678: Waterman 552½ LEC: black hard rubber lever-filler with solid 14K green gold overlay in Sheraton (grouped parallel lines) pattern; 13 cm long, light bumps to ends, barrel engraving has been covered with a matching solid gold plate; nib has a very fine tip, opens up to a considerable degree with slight pressure.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: extra-fine flex • $895
8644: Waterman pencil: black smooth hard rubber ringtop, 9.9 cm long, gold filled trim, imprint with 1924 patent date, uses 1.1 mm lead; matches 52 1/2 V or 42 1/2 V pen, slight fading to hard rubber.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: VG • $45
16165: Waterman campaign button: celluloid pinback, 21.5 mm diameter, for Frank D. Waterman's run for mayor of New York City (more here).
DATE: 1925 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $65
15840: Waterman pencil: black hard rubber ringtop with gold filled "Filigree" overlay, 9.8 cm long, uses 1.1 mm lead, propel only, early model without eraser, top piece plain hard rubber without overlay, initials "MEK" engraved on barrel.
DATE: c. 1926 • CONDITION: fine* • $85
13310: Waterman 554 LEC: black hard rubber lever-filler, 14K solid gold overlay in "Sheraton" pattern, 13.75 cm long, classic Waterman signature-style #4 nib, metal crisp but for a couple of small and shallow bumps, initials engraved in barrel cartouche over previous filled monogram; a large pen of considerable heft and presence.
DATE: c. 1926 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: medium-fine flex • $1250
16873: Waterman 452½V Filigree: black hard rubber ringtop lever-filler, 9.6 cm long, sterling silver overlay; typical wear and light bumps to posting end, barrel cartouche, #2 nib is smooth and flexible, opens nicely with normal writing pressure. Short groove visible through overlay at top of hard rubber cap liner is a standard feature normally hidden under the overlay, apparently a factory error on assembly.
DATE: c. 1926 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: medium flex • $265
16500: Waterman pencil: smooth black hard rubber, 14.1 cm long, gold filled trim, strong imprint with "PAT. APL'D FOR", uses 1.1 mm lead, moderate even fading; matches larger pens, 55 or 56 size.
DATE: c. 1927 • CONDITION: fine-exc • $95
16736: Waterman 1195: oversize black hard rubber lever-filler, full gold filled overlay in French "D" pattern, 13.1 cm long, the French-market equivalent to a USA 0555 LEC -- a known but rare and uncatalogued configuration. #5 New York nib is 18K and French hallmarked, has great line width variation with excellent springiness and paper feel.
DATE: c. 1927 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: fine flex • $1500
16828: Waterman 55: large black chased hard rubber lever-filler, 14.1 cm long, gold filled trim, unusual wide factory custom band at top with colored enamel, special presentation for Equitable Life Insurance Company for salesmanship. Excellent overall appearance, hard rubber has been skilfully reblackened, cap band replated.
DATE: c. 1927 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: medium fine flex • $650
14317: Waterman pencil: black hard rubber with sterling silver "Filigree" overlay, 12.9 cm long; uses 1.1 mm lead, propel-only mechanism, no eraser under top; initials "SHB" engraved on cartouche, light scratches to sides of end plug, matches 452 or 452½ pen.
DATE: c. 1927 • CONDITION: fine • $145
16128: Waterman 0552 Filigree: black hard rubber lever-filler with 18K green gold filled overlay, 13.85 cm long, #2 Ideal nib is a smooth calligraphic writer.
DATE: c. 1928 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: fine flex • $565
16808: Waterman 55 Cardinal: large red hard rubber lever-filler, 14.1 cm long, gold filled trim, made in Canada, cap is like new, barrel has some staining and toothmarks and end, chipping around lever box (see details); Canadian #5 nib has unusually long tines and a stub tip, very flexible and smooth noting slight waviness to top surface from restraightening.
DATE: c. 1928 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: fine stub flex • $785
16759: Waterman pencil: black hard rubber ringtop with sterling silver "Filigree" overlay, 10.4 cm long, matches 452½V or 442½V pen, uses 1.1 mm lead, later mechanism both propels and retracts lead; initials on barrel.
DATE: c. 1928 • CONDITION: fine • $75
14935: Waterman 52½V: black hard rubber clipless vest pocket lever-filler, 11.1 cm long, seven-sided 9K solid gold London-hallmarked engine turned overlay with enamel-inlaid perpetual calendar. Initials "P.S" engraved on cap top, date letter for 1930/31. A very rare and characteristically English model in notably clean condition.
DATE: c. 1930 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: broad oblique • $2950
16801: Waterman combination: black hard rubber lever-filler with full London-hallmarked sterling silver overlay, 13.5 cm long, Mordan-supplied metalwork including retracting pencil mechanism, uses 1.5 mm "VS" lead; clip is earlier, added later, slight damage to side of barrel (see detail). A truly scarce model, apparently sold only through high-end British retailers such as Asprey's, Cartier, Mappin and Webb, etc.
DATE: 1932/3 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: medium fine flex • $1500
16809: Waterman 7: black lever-filler, gold filled trim, inset yellow barrel end disk, matching Yellow-imprinted keyhole-vent nib; an uncommon model, this example is a true rarity -- made in hard rubber rather than the normal celluloid. Canadian production, fully marked (Yellow denoted a nib with a turned-up tip, suitable for left-handers), 1932 patent "Tip-Fill" feed.
DATE: c. 1933 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: fine flex • $800
16783: Waterman 0503: uncommon late production streamline overlay, gold filled "Filigree" pattern over black hard rubber, distinctive feed with red hard rubber inlaid central stripe, #2 nib writes a finely shaded line. No number of end of barrel as is typical with this model, initials engraved on barrel, moderate fading to hard rubber. Most of these late Waterman overlays are in silver -- gold filled examples are several times scarcer.
DATE: c. 1940 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: extra-fine semiflex • $650
16025: Waterman desk set: rare full sterling silver ensemble, #2-size lever-filler pen in hard rubber with full smooth barrel overlay, base has woodgrain Bakelite center block with sterling silver frame, clamping thumbscrews for a notepad (not included). Base measures 4 3/16 x 7 inches (10.6 x 17.6 cm), engraved initials, fully marked Black, Starr & Gorham.
DATE: c. 1940 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: medium fine flex • $1200
