Waterman - 42 - No reserve price - Fountain pen

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.

Estimate:£125.8

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