Christopher's back with another review--this time it's a vintage Waterman fountain pen and pencil set!
He writes:
"To properly visit this set's history, one must turn the clock back to the period just after World War II...While most pen companies were in a state of recovery, Waterman and its pen works were moving forward with amazing grace. There was no faltering in product quality or reliable consistency of materials used. The long era for vulcanized rubber had been suitably replaced with vividly coloured plastics. But, as had always been the company's interest from day one, the business end of each and every Waterman pen had a finely ground and jewelry crafted 14K gold (often flexible) nib. Still, it cannot be ignored that over and above all these strengths, the Waterman company was operating at a financial loss which, in time, halted their North American production, with Waterman products being then moved on to the Jif Waterman works in France.
But, for the time, being let us take a careful look at this lovely late 1940s Waterman pen and pencil set...
The matching finish on both writing instruments is a brilliant scarlet intertwined with jet black and complemented with silver fittings. The effect, to my mind, is both tasteful and at the same time quite elegant. While the pencil has a good working mechanism to extend the lead for writing, the fountain pen sports a fine number 2 Ideal Waterman 14K gold nib that comes with more than adequate flex. This nib is secured a black grip section well-housed in a short barrel that features the typical Waterman boxed lever filler. When I say short, this lady's pen posts at a full 5 ¼ inches, but caps back for her purse at a responsible 4 ¼ inches. Admittedly, I was very much taken with this set the minute I laid eyes on it; subsequently, it will become a go-to part of my vintage pen collection."
Our thanks to Christopher for sending in this review of a lovely vintage set!
