Photo Credit: Central-Jersey-Estate-Liquidators
Vintage 1930s Waterman Patrician Onyx Fountain Pen
Buy It Now Price: $799 (price as of 2016; item no longer available)
Pros:
-This is a vintage Patrician model Waterman fountain pen with onyx finish. It was produced between 1930 and 1933, during the dark days of the Great Depression.
–Waterman – along with competitor Mountblanc – is considered the Rolls Royce of vintage fountain pen manufacturers. Their pens were consistently made to the highest standards with the best quality materials.
-Patrician fountain pens were meticulously assembled by hand from over 300 individual pieces. They are truly a masterpiece of vintage fountain pen craftsmanship.
-These were expensive, high-end luxury pens, priced at $10 each during a global depression – equivalent to about half an ounce of gold.
-This Patrician Waterman fountain pen exudes stately 1930s Art Deco style. It is made from translucent, mottled celluloid in the so-called “onyx” color.
-Because the celluloid tended to discolor easily, Onyx Patrician fountain pens are difficult to find with good color. This fountain pen exhibits excellent color.
-The hard red rubber parts on the cap and the base of the pen barrel have a propensity to crack easily. However, these red rubber parts are completely intact on this Waterman Patrician.
-This pen’s “furniture” or exposed metal parts, only very show minor “brassing” or wear to its gold plating. This is notable because most vintage fountain pens over 80 years old show moderate to extensive brassing.
-This Waterman Patrician pen has a wonderful, original solid gold alloy nib. These original nibs are highly prized for the fluidity with which they allow the wielder to write.
-This Patrician fountain pen looks fantastic and underscores why Waterman pens are so highly prized in the fountain pen collecting community. Although it isn’t in perfect shape, the asking price of $799 is actually quite reasonable for such an iconic pen.
Cons:
-This pen is unserviced and being sold “as is”.
-The metal filling lever attached to the barrel of this pen is slightly bent. It could be replaced, but a part would have to be sourced and a pen repair specialist enlisted. This would cost additional money and time.
-$799 is expensive for a fountain pen; few other vintage pens cost more than this. Ironically, however, it is still relatively cheap for a Waterman Patrician fountain pen. This model of pen, when in functioning, fully serviced condition easily sells for over $1,000.
-The Waterman Patrician model is known for being somewhat fragile and finicky. This, coupled with its high price tag, effectively disqualifies the pen from everyday use.
