13203: Paillard Semper 183: black chased hard rubber screw-cap eyedropper-filler, 13.6 cm long, marked "IMPORTE ETATS-UNIS" and with a French-hallmarked 18K nib marked "MADE IN U.S.A." Paillard was a French pen company, but like many European makers sourced nibs and whole pens from the United States.
DATE: c. 1919 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine flex • $225
14472: Parker Silver Dollar: very rare economy sub-brand black hard rubber eyedropper-filler, 14.6 cm long, stepped section, distinctive early feed, original ventless nib marked only "14K". Barrel imprint very light, barrel slightly out of round from what appears to have been the removal of a name. Cap is an accurate reproduction in original material.
DATE: c. 1897 • CONDITION: G* • NIB: medium fine flex • $465
16469: Parker 20 New Style: an extremely rare slip-cap eyedropper-filler design, offered for only a very brief time (mentioned sporadically in Parker's Side Talks between July 1897 and September 1899); smooth black hard rubber, 15.6 cm long, #2 keyhole vent Lucky Curve nib, intact early narrow Lucky Curve feed, strong barrel imprint.
DATE: c. 1898 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: fine flex • $1200
13552: Parker 018: rare black hard rubber "Jointless" eyedropper-filler, 13.9 cm long, spearhead Lucky Curve feed, barrel imprint heavily worn, no visible cap imprint, hairline from vent hole of teardrop-vent Lucky Curve nib should be repaired if pen is to be used extensively, otherwise usable as is.
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: G* • NIB: medium fine stub flex • $250
14268: Parker 25 Click-Filler: extremely rare oversize hard rubber slip-cap self-filler, Parker's first (patent number 791,466); 15.3 cm long, good barrel imprint, #5 Lucky Curve nib has been retipped and is a wet and flexible writer, cap is an excellent replacement, an exact copy of an original example and indistinguishable without internal inspection. To fill, push front of nickel plated pressure bar with fingernail to unlock while depressing rear protrusion to flatten sac; pull same protrusion back to allow sac to reinflate and to relock the pressure bar with a "click". #5 was the largest size sold, and rarely seen.
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: medium-broad flex • $1500
11977: Parker 62: classic fully-overlaid hand-engraved eyedropper-filler in the uncommon slender version; 12.7 cm long, fully marked, lovely hand-engraved floral decoration, teardrop-vent #2 Lucky Curve nib, some tool marks on section.
DATE: c. 1908 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: fine flex • $1500
15009: Parker 16 Jack-Knife Safety: baby "turban top" black hard rubber screw-cap ringtop eyedropper-filler with gold filled filigree overlay, 8.4 cm long, fully marked; early production, #3 keyhole-vent nib has been retipped and is highly flexible.
DATE: c. 1910 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: fine flex • $765
16125: Parker 16 Jack-Knife Safety: small "turban top" black hard rubber screw-cap ringtop eyedropper-filler with gold filled filigree overlay; 9.65 cm long, fully marked, #2 teardrop-vent nib has minimal tipping yet is still a good writer, hard rubber good and dark, has not been reblackened.
DATE: c. 1913 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: medium flex • $750
12849: Parker 20: rare slip-cap button-filler with transparent Bakelite barrel, hard rubber cap; 14.1 cm long, good barrel imprint, no model number on blind cap, #2 keyhole-vent Lucky Curve nib has moderate flex. A transparent silicone sac has been installed.
DATE: c. 1914 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine flex • $485
9777: Parker 61 in box: black hard rubber eyedropper-filler with full overlay, 12.9 cm long, intact Lucky Curve feed, #3 Lucky Curve nib, very clean condition with strong imprints, no dings, initials "MS" engraved on cap. Described in Parker's 1914 catalog: "Barrel, cap and nozzle entirely covered with 18K gold. There is something about the plainness of this pen that makes it very pleasing to the eye." Cannot guarantee gold content, but no evidence of brassing. Much less common than more ornate contemporary models such as the 62. Box leatherette hinge partly cracked.
DATE: c. 1914 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: fine flex • $1800
15746: Parker 20 Jack-Knife Safety: clipless black hard rubber button-filler, 13.1 cm long, fine imprints on cap, barrel, and blind cap, with good milling at ends, raised barrel threads are an earlier feature, excellent overall appearance. Original Lucky Curve feed intact, #2 nib is a responsive writer but has hairline crack at its base -- fully usable, but will eventually need welding if to be used extensively.
DATE: c. 1915 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: medium fine flex • $200
15325: Parker 28 Jack-Knife Safety: oversize black hard rubber screw-cap eyedropper-filler with transparent Bakelite barrel, 13.5 cm long, nickel plated trim; in Parker's catalog, second only to the Black Giant in size, and the largest model offered with a Bakelite barrel; good cap imprint with 1912 patent date, barrel imprint clean, includes "BAKELITE" lower line; some minor scuffs to the cap, tool marks to sides of crown, big #8 Lucky Curve nib, intact Lucky Curve feed.
DATE: c. 1915 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: medium fine flex • $3250
11536: Parker 70: rare gold filled telescoping ringtop, 10.5 cm long, extends to 12.75 cm; intact Lucky Curve feed, #3 Lucky Curve nib has been retipped, usual multiple shallow dings to the bulbous barrel end.
DATE: c. 1917 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: medium fine flex • $965
16419: Parker 20 Jack-Knife Safety: scarce version with transparent Bakelite barrel, button-filler with smooth hard rubber cap, nickel plated trim, 12.9 cm long, very flexible #2 Lucky Curve nib, spearhead feed with tail cut off, sharp barrel imprint, early blind cap bears number 20 1/2 though the 1/2 should denote a chased pen; sealed crack in threads at end of barrel under blind cap (invisible without magnification), typical barrel darkening, needs strong backlighting to view transparency.
DATE: c. 1917 • CONDITION: VG* • NIB: fine flex • $485
16649: Parker 20 Jack-Knife Safety: scarce version with transparent Bakelite barrel, eyedropper-filler with smooth hard rubber cap with good imprint, nickel plated clip, 12.6 cm long, flexible #2 Lucky Curve nib, spearhead feed with tail intact, strong barrel imprint, fine transparency.
DATE: c. 1917 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: medium flex • $685
14314: Parker 16 Jack-Knife Safety: gold filled filigree over black hard rubber ringtop button-filler, 11.9 cm long, later production example, barrel is black celluloid and is likely an old replacement (the imprint shows under the barrel overlay); Lucky Curve feed is intact, #2 Lucky Curve nib is long-tined and a smooth writer with moderate flexibility.
DATE: c. 1918 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: medium flex • $325
15773: Parker 92 Jack-Knife Safety: rare full-length black hard rubber button-filler with full gold filled scroll-engraved overlay, 13.3 cm long; beautiful workmanship, elegant monogram in barrel cartouche, blind cap is a later replacement, #3 Lucky Curve nib has been retipped and is a smooth and responsive writer.
DATE: c. 1921 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: medium fine flex • $1100
15264: Parker Vacumatic Slender Maxima set in box: silver pearl laminate, 13.3 cm long, nickel plated trim, Blue Diamond clip, striped jewels and section; both pen and matching Non-Stop repeater pencil have extra-wide bands with matching monograms. Pencil uses 1.1 mm lead, has strong imprint with 2nd quarter 1939 date code, pen date code worn away but by features of close production date. Pen was serviced at some time during WW2, as its notably smooth and flexible two-tone Arrow nib is for a Major and has a 2nd quarter 1941 date code, while the filler unit is an all-plastic war-era replacement -- rarely seen in this larger size, as wartime production did not give priority to replacement parts for older models. Scarce and desirable streamline box has some warpage, though much less than typical.
DATE: c. 1939 • CONDITION: fine-exc* • NIB: fine flex • $695
16541: Parker Vacumatic Debutante: golden pearl laminate, 11.8 cm long, gold filled trim, made in Canada, distinctive small Blue Diamond high on clip, two-tone nib with excellent plating and outstanding flexibility, barrel transparency fine, imprint light but date code legible, lightly-impressed cap band pattern typical of Canadian production.
DATE: 1945 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine flex • $295
15013: Pen-O-Pencil Twinpoint combo: white gold filled lever-filler, 13.7 cm long, grouped parallel lines pattern, #2 nib is very flexible; not much wear, but a couple of pinprick dings to the cap, barrel has bump on the side and dents all around behind the threads, initials engraved in cartouche. There is also a small split in the section overlay, which does not affect function. Pencil end uses 1.1 mm lead, high quality construction.
DATE: c. 1929 • CONDITION: VG* • NIB: fine flex • $275
16264: Rip Van Winkle blow-filler: rare and unusual large black hard rubber taper-cap with glass barrel, 16.8 cm long, gold filled trim, strong imprint with 1911 patent date, hand-written advertisement on card stock mounted inside barrel. Excellent condition, noting replaced warranted nib and newly-made cap. Read more about the short-lived Van Winkle company here.
DATE: c. 1912 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: medium flex • $950
15995: Sanford & Bennett Automat: black chased hard rubber screw-cap sleeve-filler, 13.35 cm long, rotating hard rubber sleeve strongly imprinted with name and US patent number 698,859 issued 1902. Raised barrel threads, clean surfaces with only slightest fading, Aikin style narrow squared feed, tipping on #2 warranted nib is scant but functional.
DATE: c. 1910 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: medium fine flex • $265
15576: Security Self-Filling: black chased hard rubber, #4 size, 14.8 cm long, gold filled trim, made by Greek immigrants Kritikson Brothers in Chicago; high quality with distinctive end knob actuated pressure bar filling system, check protector at top of cap (rotating blades were rolled over a signature, making any attempt at alteration immediately apparent since the ink would bleed along the cuts in the paper). Condition excellent but for fine scratches on nib.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: medium fine flex • $495
14641: Seth Crocker pneumatic-filler: red snakeskin, 12.1 cm long, gold filled trim, cap imprint for Capwell's, hole-less end knob with inner valve, patent number on barrel, correct warranted nib; scarce and desirable Chilton family offshoot, most of these were made for sale at various large department stores and are marked accordingly; plunger operates smoothly and seal feels sound, original sac has not been replaced so pen not functional as sold..
DATE: c. 1936 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: medium flex • $650
16379: Seth Crocker pneumatic-filler: black, 12.1 cm long, gold filled trim, imprint on cap, hole-less end knob with inner valve, warranted nib; scarce and desirable Chilton family offshoot, most of these were made for sale at various large department stores and are marked accordingly; these pens came with warranted nibs, this one is notably calligraphic, noting the beginnings of a stress crack from the vent hole (see detail).
DATE: c. 1936 • CONDITION: fine-exc* • NIB: fine stub flex • $350
16126: Sheaffer Self-Filling: black hard rubber lever-filler with gold filled filigree overlay, 13.75 cm long, early production with raised barrel threads, narrow feed, narrow #2 Self Filling nib with heart-shaped vent hole. Monogram elegantly engraved in barrel cartouche, nib has a short crack in the middle of the imprint that does not extend to either the vent hole or the heel and does not affect usability.
DATE: c. 1914 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: fine flex • $895
14643: Sheaffer Univer: rare oversize lever-filler in green-tinted black and pearl, 13.4 cm long, gold filled trim but only gold wash (now missing) on clip, comb feed, correct #6 Sheaffer-made warranted nib has scant tipping but is still a fine writer. Sheaffer extended the color range of their Univer sub-brand by applying tinted celluloid lacquer over black and pearl. In this case, the original overtinting has worn thin due to usage and polishing, Most Univers are small; oversize examples are seldom seen. Toothmarks to ends, small pit next to cap band (see details).
DATE: c. 1934 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: fine flex • $385
16545: Stratford Magnetic: unique and futuristic design, with the cap held in place at either end of the barrel by magnetic action; burgundy button-filler, 13.1 cm long, gold plated trim, typical plating losses (see details); 14K gold Stratford nib, barrel imprint includes "PAT. PEND." indicating manufacture prior to Feb. 15, 1949 issuance of patent D152717.
DATE: c. 1948 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: medium fine flex • $165
15873: Tiffany retracting dip pen and pencil combination: large gold filled holder, marked only with patent date of Feb 19, 1867 for US62227, assigned to Hicks, 8.4 cm long closed, 13.8 cm extended excluding #6 ventless gold Tiffany-marked nib. Taper is pulled to extend, twisted to extend pencil nozzle, uses 1.5 mm lead. The Hicks-Tiffany connection was long, continuing well into the 1900s.
DATE: c. 1875 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: fine flex • $600
15792: Tiffany dip pen: beautiful sterling silver holder, 16.7 cm long excluding nib, with finely-chased floral repousse decoration with acanthus-bordered rings; fully marked, top-quality work, not to be confused with run-of-the-mill Tiffany-marked pens made by lesser subcontractors. Nib is gold, an excellent Edward Todd #4 with great flexibility.
DATE: c. 1890 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: extra-fine flex • $1100
16000: Viala Valair: miniature French-made hard rubber safety, 8.2 cm long, hallmarked sterling silver line and dot pattern overlay, tiny 14K Viala nib opens easily and should be used with a light touch. Tight hairline to the hard rubber cap lip, dent and tool marks to cap overlay.
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: G* • NIB: fine flex • $265
16051: Wahl Tempoint: black hard rubber ringtop eyedropper-filler, 9.75 cm long, full smooth 1/8 18K gold filled overlay, long-tined #2 Tempoint nib; very early production and largely identical to Boston version with same metal content marks and 1904 patent imprints. Dropper-filling Wahls were only made for a very short time after the Boston acquisition.
DATE: c. 1918 • CONDITION: exc • NIB: fine flex • $250
16257: Wahl lever-filler: green gold filled #4-size "all metal barrel", 11.9 cm long, "Grecian border" pattern, unusual model with "CINCINNATI/1924" emblem in cap top, notably flexible Signature nib.
DATE: 1924 • CONDITION: exc-near mint • NIB: fine flex • $295
15230: Wahl Signature: smooth red hard rubber lever-filler, 13.95 cm long, gold filled trim, roller clip, notable Signature nib; no brassing, no sign of ever having been filled, some handling marks and what appears to be a manufacturing defect in the form of a tiny nick to the end of the barrel (see detail). An uncommon model, and especially rare in red hard rubber.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: exc-near mint • NIB: medium fine stub flex • $625
16506: Wahl Signature: chased red hard rubber ringtop lever-filler, 11.3 cm long, gold filled trim, Signature nib; cap lip has been replaced using original material (repair invisible from exterior).
DATE: c. 1927 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: medium stub flex • $200
15861: Wahl-Eversharp Signature: oversize jade flat-top lever-filler, 14.15 cm long, gold filled trim, largest pre-Gold Seal model, the precursor to the oversize "Deco Band". Some discoloration to ends, polishing wear, both nib and clip appear to have been replaced in the Gold Seal era (both marked "Wahl Eversharp" rather than simply "Wahl", roller clip is longer than original).
DATE: c. 1926 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: extra-fine flex • $450
16520: Wahl-Eversharp desk set: scarce and desirable glass pelican base in high Art Deco style by Pierre D'Avesn, made in France; base measures 10.7 x 8.9 cm, with slender lever-filler desk pen in Coral, gold filled trim, Wahl Signature nib has an extremely fine tip with lively flexibility though limited line width variation. Base has a small flake on one bottom corner and larger losses to the pelican's wings, overall appearance excellent.
DATE: c. 1929 • CONDITION: VG* • NIB: extra-fine flex • $300
16669: Waterman 2: smooth black hard rubber straight-cap eyedropper-filler, 13.6 cm long, long-tailed narrow feed, strong two-line barrel imprint without globe logo, #2 New York "star" nib, early pen with rounded ends, no model number on posting end; excellent example, moderate even fading but little wear, some very light tool marks on section.
DATE: c. 1895 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: fine flex • $450
16635: Waterman 12: early smooth black hard rubber eyedropper-filler, 14 cm long, two-line barrel imprint with 1884 patent dates, cap imprint with 1898 patent date, early star-imprint nib is extremely long and narrow, narrow feed; even fading, imprints all clear and legible, cap may be a very old replacement, as nibs of this type are more typically found on the very earliest cone-caps c. 1894-95.
DATE: c. 1898 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: extra-fine flex • $375
16634: Waterman 402: long slender English-market black hard rubber straight-cap eyedropper-filler with London-hallmarked barleycorn pattern sterling silver overlay; 13.85 cm long, long-tined New York #2 nib with early imprint is an outstanding writer, long narrow spoon feed with patent imprints, slight seam separation on upper part of cap overlay near vent hole (see details). In fancy hardshell box with compartment for filler (modern glass dropper of old style included).
DATE: c. 1904 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: extra-fine flex • $1250
9133: Waterman 322 Commercial: black hard rubber taper-cap eyedropper-filler, solid 9K English-hallmarked barrel overlay, 14.6 cm long; pre-Globe cap imprint worn but fully legible, seam split at front of overlay rewelded (see details); long-tail feed with patent imprints, early slender #2 New York nib.
DATE: c. 1905 • CONDITION: exc* • NIB: medium flex • $950
10952: Waterman 612: black hard rubber slip cap eyedropper-filler with pearl slabs on barrel, smooth gold filled barrel bands; 13.5 cm long, moderate even fading to hard rubber, #2 New York nib opens up easily with minimal pressure.
DATE: c. 1907 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine flex • $950
15527: Waterman 612: black hard rubber slip cap eyedropper-filler with pearl slabs on barrel, 13.4 cm long, smooth gold filled barrel bands, one of which is engraved with a monogram; imprint on cap is worn but fully legible, patent imprint on feed, early #2 New York nib is soft and flexible. Pearl-slab Watermans are not common, and nearly all are taper-caps.
DATE: c. 1907 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: medium fine flex • $895
6130: Waterman 14: black hard rubber eyedropper-filler with fluted gold filled overlay and hardstone cap top seal; 13.3 cm long, a rare but fully catalogued factory model most often found in France and England (a version appears on p. 53 of Waterman's 1908 USA catalog under "Special Mountings" as Emerald End Special Fluted, priced at $50 -- more than three times the cost of a full sterling silver Snake); French hallmarks, no dings, but one small test mark on the seal bezel, imprints on posting end worn but mostly legible; #4 New York nib, spoon feed with patent date imprints.
DATE: c. 1908 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: extra-fine flex • $1450
9687: Waterman 12: English-market black hard rubber half-overlay eyedropper-filler, 13.2 cm long, 9K solid gold barrel overlay, London-hallmarked with Waterman factory maker's mark; pattern is a combination of twist and deeply hand-chased floral scrollwork -- uncatalogued, and hitherto unknown. Barrel cartouche is monogrammed, gold has been polished down, so that the date letter cannot be read..
DATE: c. 1908 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: fine flex • $2850
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
13631: Waterman 0502: gold filled "Chased" pattern eyedropper-filler, 13.3 cm long, posting end has usual scratches from cap but "WATERMAN" imprint clearly legible; spoon feed with patent imprints and long internal tail, tail end chipped, section front edge as well (does not affect function), "Vivian" engraved in barrel cartouche.
DATE: c. 1908 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: fine flex • $825
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
14475: Waterman 14: rare black hard rubber eyedropper-filler, with 18K solid gold fluted overlay, French-hallmarked, with bloodstone seal at end of cap with applied crowned monogram in gold; 13.6 cm long, scattered light dings, mostly to the cap, one small chip in the bloodstone seal.
DATE: c. 1912 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: extra-fine flex • $2250
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
12440: Waterman 0512 Filigree: black hard rubber slip-cap eyedropper-filler, gold filled overlay, 13.6 cm long, initials "A.G.C." engraved on barrel, lively and responsive #2 New York nib, cap dome is more yellowish in tone than the rest of the overlay.
DATE: c. 1919 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: medium fine flex • $425
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
16480: Waterman 52½: long slender black chased hard rubber lever-filler, 13.5 cm long, 18K gold filled trim, early 1920s broad clip with large rivets, like new noting tiny stress line beginning from left of vent hole of #2 New York nib.
DATE: c. 1923 • CONDITION: exc* • NIB: fine flex • $295
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
16588: Waterman 42: black hard rubber safety with smooth 18K gold filled Italian overlay, 12 cm long, notably fine flexible nib.
DATE: c. 1924 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine flex • $625
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
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
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
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
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
16609: Waterman 554 LEC: black hard rubber lever-filler, 14K solid gold overlay, rare as plain smooth, 13.8 cm long, classic Waterman signature-style #4 nib, metal crisp but for a shallow bump on side of posting end of barrel and pinpricks to side of cap top (see details); a large pen of considerable heft and presence.
DATE: c. 1927 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: extra-fine flex • $1650
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
16507: Waterman 42½: Ripple hard rubber retracting-nib safety, 12.2 cm long, unusual but original configuration with woodgrain cap with red end and black turning knob, new old stock from Swiss Waterman distributor, tight-sprung #2 nib with round vent hole.
DATE: c. 1939 • CONDITION: near mint • NIB: fine flex • $450
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
16604: Waterman 44 Aero Pen: rare late black hard rubber safety, gold filled trim, artist's nib is extraordinarily fine-tipped, like a sharp steel dip pen nib; moderate even fading and wear, stable 1mm cap lip hairline below the cap band (see detail).
DATE: c. 1941 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: needlepoint flex • $1200
15930: Waterman Skywriter in box: black celluloid lever-filler, 12.75 cm long, nickel plated trim, Canadian-made subbrand model by Waterman's subsidiary Alco (Aikin Lambert Co.). Wartime pen, great nib but cap bands irregularly crimped, slight swelling of barrel over lever pivot. From the Hopkins collection, dispersed at Bonhams some thirty years ago. Hopkins was a British Army officer, meticulous about recording the circumstances of each purchase, retaining and annotating receipts, instructions, and boxes to an almost obsessive degree.
DATE: c. 1943 • CONDITION: fine-exc* • NIB: fine stub flex • $175
16660: Waterman Commando: black lever-filler, 12.95 cm long, gold filled over silver wartime trim, #5 nib is a springy and responsive medium flex with semistub tip; strong barrel imprint.
DATE: c. 1944 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: fine flex • $175
15067: Williamson eyedropper-filler: black hard rubber with fluted mother of pearl slabs on the barrel, gold filled filigree overlay on the cap, 13.45 cm long, Williamson #3 nib has an unusual deliberate downwards angle at the tip, "AUTO" imprint on patented feed; pen is not otherwise marked, which is typical, other than nib and feed, it is nearly identical to a Parker 15 (Parker and Williamson were closely connected, with overlapping ownership and management). A lovely pen, pearl shows much more color than appears in the photos, only a few tiny chips to the narrow raised ridges, "Lucile" engraved on cap.
DATE: c. 1910 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: fine flex • $1450
16299: Williamson eyedropper-filler: oversize black hard rubber slip-cap with gold filled filigree overlay, 13.85 cm long, big #6 Williamson nib is a notably flexible and responsive writer; opens wide with only light pressure; distinctive "Autofeed" is intact and imprinted, one small chip to front edge of section does not affect function. This pen is largely the same as a Parker 41, though much scarcer in the Williamson version. Hard rubber evenly faded, noting slight shadowing on the cap from a slip-on clip, "Dad" engraved in barrel cartouche.
DATE: c. 1910 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: fine flex • $1200
10574: Williamson button-filler: Vacumatic-style burgundy pearl laminate, 11.9 cm long, gold filled trim, made in Italy, very flexible long-tined Williamson nib, cap jewel appears to be a replacement (more rounded than usual conical profile).
DATE: c. 1946 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine flex • $500
More pens with flexible nibs: A to C - D to O - unmarked