Waterman Eyedroppers
Waterman Pen Profiles: Eyedropper-fillers - Safeties - Overlay Patterns
For more, see Waterman hard rubber self-fillers & Watermans in plastic, c. 1929 to date
9860: Waterman 0502: gold filled "Chased" pattern eyedropper-filler, 13.1 cm long, posting end somewhat faded, but number and "WATERMAN" present and legible; spoon feed with patent imprints and long internal tail, scratch on underside, a couple of digs to the section flange; metalwork excellent, fancy monogram engraved on indicia, nice early #2 nib is a smooth writer, enough flex for an elegantly shaded line.
DATE:
c. 1902 • CONDITION: fine* • NIB: extra-fine semiflex • $1100 
10490: Waterman 0502: gold filled "Chased" pattern eyedropper-filler, 13.5 cm long, posting end has usual wear from cap but "WATERMAN" and patent date imprints all legible; spoon feed with patent imprints and long internal tail, section a bit rough where scratched from cap, barrel indicia has had a rose gold filled oval plaque attached (a common way of "erasing" an engraved monogram on the original indicia beneath). Notable early #2 star-imprint nib is smooth and flexible.
DATE: c. 1902 • CONDITION: VG •
NIB: broad stub flex • $850
10480: Waterman 622 in box: black hard rubber taper-cap eyedropper-filler with pearl slabbed barrel, 14.45 cm long, gold filled trim, bold cap imprint with 1884 patent dates, hard rubber glossy and only slightly faded, small tool mark to posting end flange (see detail). Pearl slabs are tight, smooth, and lustrous, with fine color, smooth narrow #2 New York nib has early arched imprint, long-tailed feed with crisp patent imprints. Pearl-slabbed Watermans are much less common than Parkers.
DATE: c. 1903 •
CONDITION: exc • NIB: fine flex • $1750
10571: Waterman 0502: black hard rubber straight-cap eyedropper-filler, gold filled overlay in "Golpheresque" pattern, 13.4 cm long; unusually clean condition, metal crisp with initials engraved on indicia, imprint on side of posting end of barrel with a couple of scratches just above, no model number imprint at end; long-tailed spoon feed with patent imprint.
DATE: c. 1903 • CONDITION: exc-near mint •
NIB: fine semiflex • $1250
10621: Waterman 414: early black hard rubber eyedropper-filler with .999 fine silver filigree Art Nouveau overlay; 13.6 cm long, spoon feed, #4 nib is later but a wonderfully responsive writer; imprints on the silver show the usual wear but are mostly legible, hard rubber has moderate even fading, initials engraved on indicia, one small test mark to cap overlay (see details) -- #4-size fine silver overlays are much less common than #2-size.
DATE: c. 1903 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: fine flex • $985
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 fine flex • $1200
9137: Waterman 12: black hard rubber eyedropper-filler with London-hallmarked sterling silver overlay, bloodstone seal cap top, 13.2 cm long; seal-top Watermans are rare, and most often found in England and France, but this is an uncatalogued pattern never before seen -- though the hallmarks leave no doubt about it being factory-original. Canadian-made #2 nib, patent imprints on feed, some tool marks to lower barrel overlay; note that "WATERMAN" imprint on cap lip is upside-down -- perhaps to reflect usage of the cap as a seal?.
DATE: c. 1907 • CONDITION: VG • NIB: broad italic semiflex • $6000
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. Indicia is monogrammed, gold has been polished down, so that the date letter cannot be read..
DATE: c. 1908 •
CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: fine flex • $3850
9753: Waterman 512½ Colonial: slender black hard rubber eyedropper-filler, 12.1 cm long, solid 14K gold overlay in scarce fine parallel lines pattern, especially rare with factory cabochon at cap top; elegantly engraved monogram in indicia, minor bump marks to cap, overall nice and clean, smooth and responsive #2 New York nib.
DATE: c. 1908 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine flex • $1800
9985: Waterman 0504: black hard rubber straight-cap eyedropper-filler with smooth gold filled overlay, 13.5 cm long; beautiful and elegant, bears French "DOUBLÉ OR" hallmarks with initials of Waterman's pre-WW1 European agent, L. & C. Hardtmuth; added clip is also typical of Hardtmuth-retailed pens. Big New York #4 nib writes an extremely fine line, feed bears patent imprints, overall condition is outstanding with only a few pinprick marks to the sides of the posting end.
DATE: c. 1908 • CONDITION:
near mint • NIB: needlepoint semiflex • $1100
9134: Waterman 402: black hard rubber straight-cap eyedropper-filler with enameled sterling silver overlay, 14.1 cm long; English-retailed, with the posting end marked "CALLOW OF MOUNT ST. MAYFAIR". Very clean, with no dings, or any tool marks to the posting end, though there are losses to the original inlaid white enamel stripes which have been restored with what appears to be cold enamel of a darker color -- losses which involve only the frontmost part of the barrel overlay, but the better part of the cap (condition otherwise would be excellent). Factory-made Waterman overlays with enamel work are extraordinarily rare, and appear to have been made only for a handful of ultra-luxe European retailers. This is only the second example we have seen in over 20 years of collecting.
DATE: c. 1908 • CONDITION: VG-fine* •
NIB: extra-fine flex • $6500
9139: Waterman 214: black hard rubber half-overlay eyedropper-filler with acid-etched .999 fine silver barrel; 13.9 cm long, unusually heavy #4 New York nib, monogram lightly engraved on indicia; etched Waterman overlays are rare, and even more so as a 214 rather than a 212.
DATE: c. 1908 • CONDITION: fine • NIB:
medium stub manifold • $2875
6130: Waterman 14: black hard rubber eyedropper-filler with fluted gold filled overlay and bloodstone 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; toothy #4 New York nib, spoon feed with patent date imprints.
DATE: c. 1908 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB:
extra-fine flex • $2650
10254: Waterman 0514 Chased Filigree: black hard rubber eyedropper-filler, 13.4 cm long, gold filled raised scroll pattern barrel overlay, monogram engraved on indicia, #4 New York nib, feed with patent date imprint; clip factory-attached slightly askew, hard rubber under overlay has been professionally reblackened; a scarce and short-lived overlay pattern.
DATE: c. 1908 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB:
medium fine semiflex • $1200
8616: Waterman 420: giant black hard rubber eyedropper-filler with full sterling silver Filigree overlay; 17.5 cm long closed, 23 cm open -- truly enormous. A very early example, with especially rounded ends, very clean oversize #10 nib. Few of these pens are known, and they seldom come to market.
DATE: c. 1909 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: extra-fine semiflex • Full details on request
10393: Waterman 0512½ POC: black hard rubber screw-cap eyedropper-filler, gold filled "Sheraton" pattern overlay, 12.7 cm long; uncommon model, #2 nib is very fine but also very flexible, overlay at top of cap appears to have been shortened slightly to re-roll bead around dome.
DATE: c. 1914 •
CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: extra-fine flex • $485
10622: Waterman Penanink: black chased hard rubber clipless eyedropper-filler, 12.7 cm long, approximately the size of a Waterman 12, with full Penanink imprints and nib, Aikin-style narrow feed. Moderate even fading and wear, nib is very smooth, has the beginnings of a hairline just starting on the right side of the vent hole. One of Waterman's less common subbrands.
DATE: c. 1915 • CONDITION: VG* • NIB:
medium semiflex • $150
4291: Waterman 0512½VS Baby: smooth gold filled overlay safety with rare double cap; 9.3 cm long, has been recorked, turning knob fully marked, virtually no plating wear, but inner cap rim dinged and wavy (see detail), barrel engraved with name.
DATE: c. 1917 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: fine flex •
$375
8403: Waterman 14: black hard rubber eyedropper-filler with smooth sterling silver overlay and bloodstone cap top seal; 13.1 cm long, a rare but 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); London hallmarks are worn but mostly legible, one ding to the side of the cap, #4 nib with unusual turnup grind at tip; the smooth silver version of this pen is several times rarer than the fluted version in gold.
DATE: c. 1918 •
CONDITION: G-VG • NIB: medium oblique • $2950
10604: Waterman 42: unusual Canadian-made black chased hard rubber clipless safety, 12 cm long, crisp and glossy with bold imprints, extremely narrow barrel threads; condition like new, but may have been assembled from earlier parts, as the turning knob is marked "44", though the nib is a very smooth Canadian #2.
DATE: c. 1918 • CONDITION: exc-near mint • NIB: medium fine semiflex • $205
9492: Waterman 13: a legendary rarity with a stanhope viewer in the cap, made to commemorate Waterman's 35th anniversary; black chased hard rubber eyedropper-filler, 13.4 cm long, fancy gold filled barrel bands, correct nickel silver clip (this apparent mismatch is typical on this model); view through stanhope shows Waterman's Pen Corner in downtown New York City; nice clean condition, slight fading, even wear, all imprints clear. It has been suggested that these pens were made for Frank D. Waterman to present as personal gifts.
DATE: c. 1918 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: medium flex • $2875
9184: Waterman 442½V in box: black hard rubber ringtop safety, 9.6 cm long, smooth sterling silver overlay with hard to find telescoping outer cap; metal clean, imprints on hard rubber strong, initials "M.W.D." on barrel. Patent imprints on feed, responsive nib.
DATE: c. 1918 • CONDITION: exc • NIB:
fine stub semiflex • $500
10733: Waterman 42½: black hard rubber safety with French-hallmarked silver "Night and Day" overlay, 12.8 cm long; initials "P. B." engraved very lightly on indicia. 18K French hallmarked #2 nib has typical soft flex, to be used with a light hand.
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: medium
italic semiflex • $900
8907: Waterman 472: uncommon black hard rubber screw-cap eyedropper-filler with smooth sterling silver overlay; 13.1 cm long, London hallmarks, number at barrel end is simply "72" with no hundreds column digit, as is typical for English-market Watermans; 1925-dated presentation inscription, nice stub #2 nib has an incipient hairline from the vent hole, but should be stable if used without excessive writing pressure; even wear, light marks to metal, one tiny stress crack where barrel overlay crimped in place (see detail; for some reason these are extremely common in English-market Waterman overlays).
DATE: 1920 •
CONDITION: VG* • NIB: medium italic • $565
10845: Waterman 42½: black hard rubber clipless safety, French-hallmarked 18K solid gold overlay; 12.8 cm long, metal crisp and fully marked, a few shallow bumps to the cap mouth not readily noticeable. Long-tined 18K New York #2 nib is a wet writer, permits dramatic line width variation.
DATE: c. 1920
• CONDITION: exc • NIB: medium fine flex • $975
10848: Waterman 42½: black hard rubber safety with French-hallmarked sterling silver "Night and Day" overlay, 12.8 cm long, slip-on clip is also hallmarked silver. 18K New York #2 nib has a semistub tip.
DATE: c. 1920 • CONDITION: fine-exc • NIB: medium semiflex • $985
10269: Waterman 0542½V: black hard rubber ringtop safety with telescoping cap, 9.4 cm long, full gold filled overlay including turning knob and barrel threads (most overlays cover only the center of the barrel). Scattered pinhead dings, shallow bumps to cap, seals have been replaced, nib writes an elegantly shaded line, but will not open wide.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: extra-fine flex
• $465
10361: Waterman 0542½: black hard rubber clipless full-length slender safety, 12.9 cm long, gold filled "Filigree" pattern overlay, lively #2 nib writes a nicely shaded line; hard rubber under the overlay has been professionally reblackened, seals replaced, overall condition sound with even wear.
DATE: c. 1925 • CONDITION: VG-fine • NIB: fine semiflex • $500
10583: Waterman 502: slender black hard rubber straight-cap eyedropper-filler with smooth 9K solid gold overlay; 13.9 cm long, an English-market pen with London hallmarks, date letter indicates late production of a much older design.
DATE: c. 1926 • CONDITION: fine • NIB: fine flex • $1600
10435: Waterman 45 Ripple: large hard rubber safety for the French market, 13.4 cm long, two 18K solid gold barrel bands of distinctively French form, French hallmarks on bands and 18K nib. Barrel imprints have been almost completely polished away, cap lip crack has been repaired by internal sleeving and is now virtually invisible (see details; lip is not stressed when cap is posted). Nib writes smoothly with elegant shading, seals have been replaced, overall appearance excellent.
DATE: c. 1930 •
CONDITION: VG* • NIB: medium fine semiflex • $500
10093: Waterman 41 Ripple: rare US-made French-market slender hard rubber safety, 11.5 cm long, crisp and glossy, original cork seal has not been replaced but appears to be sound, pen has never been filled, nib is a French-hallmarked 18K warranted replacement of excellent quality, good writer with restrained line width variation.
DATE: c. 1930 • CONDITION: mint* • NIB: fine semiflex •
$400
10603: Waterman 42: red hard rubber retracting-nib safety with elaborate Italian gold filled overlay; 12.25 cm long, excellent quality, very rare over red, crack in barrel from mouth through threads has been sealed and stabilized with an added ring of original Waterman red hard rubber in front of the threads (see details).
DATE: c. 1935 • CONDITION: VG-fine* • NIB: extra-fine firm
• $2000
10806: Waterman cartridge-filler: black celluloid with sterling silver Art Deco overlay, 12.35 cm long, rare French-made design uses glass ink cartridges (one included, can be refilled with an eyedropper or syringe). Smooth-writing 18K nib has the slightest beginning of a stress crack from the vent hole, probably from overflexing, but should be stable if not abused -- writes with a beautifully shaded line. Scattered light bumps to the silver, hairlines in cap liner, section seal has been replaced, pen fully functional.
DATE: c. 1939 • CONDITION: G-VG* • NIB: fine semiflex •
$600
10732: Waterman 42 in box: black hard rubber safety with octagonal gold filled overlay, 12.65 cm long, three-color banding on cap, overlay at barrel end bears both the winged mark of Davide Capra, Waterman's official agent in Italy, and the smaller mark of Montegrappa, maker of the overlay. #2 nib is smooth with easy flexibility, pen is like new but for a few small usage marks.
DATE: c. 1940 • CONDITION:
exc-near mint • NIB: medium stub flex • $1200