Waterman - 42 - No reserve price - Fountain pen
02
days
17
hours
24
minutes
41
seconds
Current bid
€ 110
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Letizia Iacopini
Specialises in vintage and modern Italian fountain pens with over 20 years' experience.
Estimate € 150 - € 230
 | €110 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €100 | |
 | €99 | |
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Waterman Ideal 42 Safety fountain pen, gold-plated (18 KR) with figurative cap decoration, about 11.9 cm long when closed, dating from the early 20th century and made in the United States; in good cosmetic condition with age-related wear and the writing mechanism not tested with ink.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
WATERMAN'S IDEAL 42 SAFETY – CONTINENTAL – 18 KR – COLLECTOR'S STILOGRAPHIC PIECE WITH RARE FIGURATIVE DECORATION
Interesting and fascinating vintage Waterman's Ideal fountain pen, model 42 Safety, presumably dating from 1915–1930, characterized by a refined gold coating and a rich figurative decoration in Liberty taste.
The most noteworthy collectible element is undoubtedly the cap, embossed with two cherubs surrounded by roses and floral motifs. The top is adorned with a sculpted female face, giving the whole piece a particularly evocative artistic character.
A workmanship reminiscent of Waterman Continental with figurative coatings, sometimes produced by European jewelry workshops, especially Italian, in the early decades of the 20th century. The author of the decoration on this exemplar has not been identified.
The body bears the original engraving WATERMAN'S 18 KR, referring to a gold-plated coating, while the end carries the number 42, identifying the model.
The nib bears the original WATERMAN'S IDEAL – NEW YORK inscription.
Key features
Brand: Waterman's
Model: Ideal 42 Safety
Type: fountain pen with retractable nib
Supposed era: early 20th century, circa 1915–1930
Closed length: 11.8 cm
Coating: gold metal, stamped 18 KR
Decoration: two relief cherubs, roses and a female head on the cap summit
Nib: Waterman's Ideal New York
Model number engraved on the end: 42
Conditions and operation
The pen presents itself in good overall aesthetic condition considering its age, with normal signs of time and use, visible in the photographs.
The figurative decorations are well preserved and retain substantial legibility of the details.
The rotation mechanism has been checked and functions normally: the nib extends and retracts correctly.
The pen has not been tested with ink. Therefore, I cannot confirm nor exclude any possible needs for maintenance of the seals or of the filling system. No writing or sealing tests have been performed.
No writing defect has been detected, but full functionality is not guaranteed.
Collector interest
The appeal of this specimen lies in the pairing of a historic Waterman Safety with a cap featuring elaborate figurative decoration, decidedly more unusual than the common geometric motifs.
An item of interest not only for vintage fountain pen enthusiasts but also for Liberty-period collectors and for early 20th-century artistic manufactures.
The numerous photographs, including close-ups of the engravings and decorations, are an integral part of the description.
Accurate shipping, with protective packaging appropriate to the delicacy and age of the item, and tracking.
WATERMAN'S IDEAL 42 SAFETY – CONTINENTAL – 18 KR – COLLECTOR'S STILOGRAPHIC PIECE WITH RARE FIGURATIVE DECORATION
Interesting and fascinating vintage Waterman's Ideal fountain pen, model 42 Safety, presumably dating from 1915–1930, characterized by a refined gold coating and a rich figurative decoration in Liberty taste.
The most noteworthy collectible element is undoubtedly the cap, embossed with two cherubs surrounded by roses and floral motifs. The top is adorned with a sculpted female face, giving the whole piece a particularly evocative artistic character.
A workmanship reminiscent of Waterman Continental with figurative coatings, sometimes produced by European jewelry workshops, especially Italian, in the early decades of the 20th century. The author of the decoration on this exemplar has not been identified.
The body bears the original engraving WATERMAN'S 18 KR, referring to a gold-plated coating, while the end carries the number 42, identifying the model.
The nib bears the original WATERMAN'S IDEAL – NEW YORK inscription.
Key features
Brand: Waterman's
Model: Ideal 42 Safety
Type: fountain pen with retractable nib
Supposed era: early 20th century, circa 1915–1930
Closed length: 11.8 cm
Coating: gold metal, stamped 18 KR
Decoration: two relief cherubs, roses and a female head on the cap summit
Nib: Waterman's Ideal New York
Model number engraved on the end: 42
Conditions and operation
The pen presents itself in good overall aesthetic condition considering its age, with normal signs of time and use, visible in the photographs.
The figurative decorations are well preserved and retain substantial legibility of the details.
The rotation mechanism has been checked and functions normally: the nib extends and retracts correctly.
The pen has not been tested with ink. Therefore, I cannot confirm nor exclude any possible needs for maintenance of the seals or of the filling system. No writing or sealing tests have been performed.
No writing defect has been detected, but full functionality is not guaranteed.
Collector interest
The appeal of this specimen lies in the pairing of a historic Waterman Safety with a cap featuring elaborate figurative decoration, decidedly more unusual than the common geometric motifs.
An item of interest not only for vintage fountain pen enthusiasts but also for Liberty-period collectors and for early 20th-century artistic manufactures.
The numerous photographs, including close-ups of the engravings and decorations, are an integral part of the description.
Accurate shipping, with protective packaging appropriate to the delicacy and age of the item, and tracking.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Number of objects
1
Model/type
42
Country of origin
United States
Period
Early 20th century
Material
Gold-plated
Manufacturer/brand
Waterman
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
In working order
No
Diameter
1.2 cm
Length
11.9 cm
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