Saturday, September 24, 2022

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 426

Today's blog post features another vintage fountain pen that Christopher brought to our September in-person meeting. He was good enough to send in a review of it, so without further ado, here it is!

Christopher: "It amazes me that after the stock market crash of September 1929 just how many pen companies in North America managed to maintain high product quality standards, considering the fact that the Great Depression lasted all of ten long years. Granted, some did not survive, but the L.E. Waterman Company not only survived but, during this down time, managed to produce some outstanding writing instruments. Case in point, the Waterman No.32, whose number reflected its year of inception."

(photo courtesy of Christopher ~ please click on image to enlarge)

"For me, and more currently, it is an all jet beauty of standard size and exceptional balance in the hand. Equipped with an outstanding 14K sold gold number 2 Waterman nib which, in turn, is mounted in a bit longer grip section. The barrel comes complete with a Waterman boxed lever filler and on the flat end of this barrel is inscribed the model number 32. Covering the nib/feed and grip section is quite a smartly appointed cap, sporting both a 14K Gold Filled Waterman double riveted, ball ended clip and a thin cap ring. I should mention that the top of this cap is singularly stepped in design, adding rather an attractive overall final touch to the appearance. This pen in turn posts at all of 6 ¼ inches but caps back to a more than pocketable 5 inches.

For me, acquiring this Waterman 32 bridges a gap in my collection between the earlier black hard chased rubber models and the high grade plastic Waterman pens of the early 1930s. Definitely a winner in my opinion, and more than suitable to be added to my collection."

Our thanks to Christopher for sharing another one of his newest vintage finds with us!

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