Restorations for Sale
Updated September 21, 2025
Tray 13-2 Sailor Pen of the Year 2021, 21k gold H-F nib, Silver Flecked Cranberry Resin, Rhodium Trim
💰 Price: $300 OBO
🖼️ Gallery: https://heronsmooncake.smugmug.com/Rpenswap/Tray-13-consignments/Sailor-pen-of-year-2021/n-dDdp4M
🥇 Grade: B+, inked but mint with no imperfections
🔱 Nib: Sailor 21k Gold H-F nib
🖋️ Line Spec: F | 0.30mm
⛽ Filling Type: Cartridge Converter, Rhodium Trim
📐 Dimensions: 140mm capped, 12.3mm uncapped, 10.50mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 24.5g capped, 16.1g uncapped
📒 Details:
- North American exclusive with the super limited silver flecked starfield effect resin body in a cranberry red colorway in the light, more like wine red normally. This one is in the largest variant of the pen in it's 1911L model.
- Amazingly bouncy nib even though it's designated as a Hard-Fine, with the classic Sailor feedback
Tray 13-3. Waterman Man 100, 18k gold M nib, Black Resin, Gold-Plated Trim
💰 Price: $250 OBO
🖼️ Gallery: https://heronsmooncake.smugmug.com/Rpenswap/Tray-13-consignments/Waterman-man100-black-resin/n-HpTvvs
🥇 Grade: B-, minor brassing on barrel ring, otherwise excellent condition
✨ Carnauba Waxed
🔱 Nib: Waterman Ideal Paris 18k 750 France
🖋️ Line Spec: M | 0.60mm
⛽ Filling Type: Cartridge Converter, Waterman Silver Trim Converter
📐 Dimensions: 144.05mm capped, 132.12mm uncapped, 10.45mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 36.2g capped, 27.5g uncapped
📒 Details:
- Produced between 1983 and 1999, the Man 100 was the top of the line flagship model from Waterman Paris.
- One of the softer modern nibs I've used, with really nice bounce and a bit of line variation too with the subtle flex. A hair more feedback than a Pilot Custom 823, but way softer and bouncier.
Tray 13-5. Esterbrook Relief No.2, #2 14k gold OB nib, Blue Marble Celluloid, Gold-Plated-Trim
💰 Price: $380 OBO
🥇 Grade: B+, incredibly mint celluloid, deep blue color, minor brassing on lever
✨ Carnauba Waxed
🔱 Nib: Relief 14ct 2 Made in England, Esterbrook & Co
🖋️ Line Spec: B (0.80mm) horizontal, M (0.60mm) vertical
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: Not flex, but very bouncy
⛽ Filling Type: Spring-Lever Filler
📐 Dimensions: 130.00mm capped, 121.63mm uncapped, 8.82mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 15.3g capped, 9.4g uncapped
📒 Details:
- "Esterbrook Relief pens were made in the mid 1930's through the 1950's in England by the Conway Stewart Company." https://www.esterbrook.net/relief.shtml
- usually see these go for around $500 with stickers, but since it doesn't have the box or stickers, price is reduced, but the pen's color is so mint which is extremely rare for blue marbled celluloid. this version
- absolutely dreamy smoothness on the OB nib, the writing sample speaks for itself, was incredible to write with and the OB is a very controlled nib, allowing for very nice hairlines when you tilt your hand for vertical upstrokes to thin it down even more than usual. technically it was likely sold as a 'Medium', but i am using line variation standardized across all vintage and modern pens that I've tested to keep consistency on my listings.
Tray 13-7. Conway Stewart No.226, #2 14ct gold F Noodle nib, Cracked Ice Celluloid, GPT
💰 Price: $430 OBO
🥇 Grade: B, mint celluloid condition, brassing to top of clip
✨ Carnauba Waxed
🔱 Nib: Conway Stewart 14ct Gold
🖋️ Line Spec: F - 6B | 0.35mm - 2.00mm
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: 250g Noodle Flex
⛽ Filling Type: Spring-Lever Filler
📐 Dimensions: 127.82mm capped, 121.20mm uncapped, 8.38mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 14.9g capped, 9.6g uncapped
📒 Details:
- The No. 226 models were made by Conway from 1933-1946, and this one with it's pointed cap with diamond clip and lever ends would date it to the 1943-1946 model years. Cracked Ice has always been one of the grail materials for collectors because it shows off how insane celluloid nitrate is as a material, this 3D effect is so pronounced in the silvery white veining on this Conway. As you turn the pen, the silver veins will brighten and darken as the refracted light gets lost in the black celluloid.
- Mint celluloid color with a bit of wear on the clip, but this nib is outshines everything else. Insanely soft noodle flex nib with flex up to 6B (2.00mm) conservatively, it can reach 2.38mm but that is nearing the upper bounds so don't try unless you have the 6th sense for nib flex.
- Perfect snapback and flow control, if this was ground down to an EEF/EF it would be comparable to a Waterman #5 pink nib, just missing the longer tines to match the #7 pink. Amazing daily writer and for journaling, as it has very smooth tipping.
Tray 13-9. Waterman Starlet Pen Pencil Set, #2 14k gold (E)EF Butterflex Nib, Grey Pearl Celluloid, GPT
💰 Price: $200 OBO
🖼️ Gallery: https://heronsmooncake.smugmug.com/Rpenswap/Tray-13-consignments/Watermans-starlet-set-grey-pearl/n-9m344s
🥇 Grade: B-, mint celluloid condition, clip and lever arm has some wear
✨ Carnauba Waxed
🔱 Nib: Waterman's Ideal 14k
🖋️ Line Spec: EEF - 4B | 0.15mm - 1.51mm
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: 350g Butter Flex
⛽ Filling Type: Spring-Lever Filler
📐 Dimensions: 118.83mm capped, 111.36mm uncapped, 8.11mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 12.6g capped, 8.3g uncapped
📒 Details:
- Waterman's Starlets are the baby sister of the larger Stalwart, but is the more desirable pen as the larger models of this era have limited flex if at all. Paired with an extremely fine tip, this is an incredible daily driver of a pen.
- An excellent entry point pen for flex, with strong snapback, hairlines and overall balanced experience. Comes with a cool pencil too (same condition) that has 0.90mm lead loaded into it. Vintage pencils are much less prone to breaking but also don't leave as dark of a line on treated paper for FP ink.
- The nib of these 1940's pens are not as soft as the early 1910's but there is way more control on both line variation and ink flow, as a result, performs much better on copy paper. The line variation depends on paper quality too, Tomoe River 42gsm Hobonichi gives me super thin 0.15mm lines, while the Iroful 75gsm can only bring about a 0.20mm lines. Flex is incredibly well controlled and while you aren't going to get 2mm+ lines, it's more than enough variation change to see a huge difference in flourishing, check the writing QA.
Tray 14-1. PENDING Invicta Italian Safety Pen, #2 14k gold Butterflex, BHR with 18k rolled gold overlay
~~~
💰 Price: PENDING SALE $200 OBO
🖼️ Gallery: https://heronsmooncake.smugmug.com/Rpenswap/Tray-14-misc-safeties/Invicta-italian-overlay/n-GptDm5
🥇 Grade: B+, minor brassing on barrel ring, otherwise excellent condition
🔱 Nib: Warranted 14 ct 1st Quality
🖋️ Line Spec: FM | 0.45mm
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: 350g Butterflex
⛽ Filling Type: Safety Eyedropper
📐 Dimensions: 122.44mm capped, 125.10mm uncapped, 10.55mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 23.0g capped, 15.0g uncapped
~~~
📒 Details:
- Extremely beautiful engraved overlay pattern with zigzag lines and flower patterns on the cap and barrel, very typical italian style ornate work.
- As you might have noticed, the uncapped pen is longer than capped pen as the nib is quite long. Very soft and flexible butterflex nib that gives a very consistent FM line. The ebonite feed will be starved for ink if you flex for too long without letting the ink flow down the channel again. However, unlike other pens, this is not really an issue as safety pens can retract the nib and instantly fill the feed and nib unit with fresh ink.
Tray 14-2. Unbranded Italian Safety Pen, #2 14k gold Superflex, BHR with 18k rolled gold "waves" overlay
💰 Price: $200 OBO
🖼️ Gallery: https://heronsmooncake.smugmug.com/Rpenswap/Tray-14-misc-safeties/Unbranded-italian-gf-overlay/n-GNLvd8
🥇 Grade: C, brassing on lip of barrel overlay and cap lip and under clip
🔱 Nib: Ideal 14k New York 3C
🖋️ Line Spec: F - 6B | 0.35mm - 2.02mm
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: 400g Superflex
⛽ Filling Type: Safety Eyedropper
📐 Dimensions: 125.48mm capped, 121.61mm uncapped, 9.61mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 20g.0 capped, 13.5g uncapped
📒 Details:
- A likely 1930's italian production overlay safety pen that was a "inspired" by Waterman's own size 42 safety.
- A surprisingly incredible writer with very nice ink supply from the feed, soft flexing and smooth writer. Surprisingly does hairlines decently. Splattered some ink by accident during writing sample trying to load it up with a syringe, whoops.
Tray 9-9. Waterman 0754, #4 Superflex FM, BCHR, Gold Filigree Band
💰 Asking: $355 OBO
🖼️ Gallery: https://heronsmooncake.smugmug.com/Rpenswap/Tray-9-july-waterman-01/Waterman-0754-post-edit/n-5Sj4hs
🥇 Grade: B+ Vintage
✨ Carnauba Waxed
🔱 Nib: Waterman Ideal Canada #4 14k gold
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: 410g Superflex
🖋️ Line Spec: FM - 6B | 0.45mm - 1.95mm (4.33x)
⛽ Filling Type: Lever-Filler
📐 Dimensions: 13.67cm capped, | 13.28cm uncapped
⚖️ Weight: 14.1g capped, 10.3g uncapped📒 Details:
This Canadian 0754 is a near mint example of a fully patent dated pen with intensive date logging through stamped and imprinted parts of the pen. Chasing is extremely crisp throughout with minor softening of the rear finial model numbering.
Barrel Hallmark reads "PAT'D. 1884 | MAY 23, 1899 | WATERMAN'S IDEAL FOUNTAIN-PEN.N.Y.U.S.A. | AUG 4.1903."
Lever Arm stamped: " PAT. APR 28-03 | PAT. SEPT 6"
Lever Head stamped: " OCT. 17-16 CAN | MAY 29-17 USA"
Floral Filigree Gold Band engraved: "LLR"
Juicy feed and a great superflex nib that can be used a fast writer with the occasional flourishing work, decent snapback. This nib has a bit of a "beak" nib profile, where the nib has a slight concave arc toward the page, which improves the experience when writing with smaller fonts and also increases the amount of sweet spots angles you can approach the paper with. Reaches and impressive 1.95mm flex with moderate pressure and makes your writing really pop if using bold colors.
Another great nib for showing off ink characteristics when flexing.
Tray 7-2. Pelikan 140 OB, Piston, Green Cel, Gold Trim
💰 Asking: $235 OBO
🖼️ Gallery: https://heronsmooncake.smugmug.com/Rpenswap/Tray-7-early-july/Pelikan-140/n-3ftxGJ
🥇 Grade: C+ Vintage
🔱 Nib: Pelikan 14c-585 | 350g BUTTERFLEX
🖋️ Line Spec: F - 6B (0.30mm, 2.18mm)
📐 Dimensions: 12.41mm capped, 11.44mm uncapped
⚖️ Weight: 14.6g capped, 8.9g uncapped📒 Details:
Small bit of brassing on the clip trim, and a scratch on the lower portion of the barrel. Otherwise excellent condition with a high gloss finish. Celluloid is in immaculate NOS condition.
One of my grails from Pelikan, that doesn't get used given R10, the Pelikan 140 is just the perfect size for calligraphy and writing flourished letters to friends and family, it adds so much character and makes inks shade and sheen like crazy.
Amazing smooth snappy nib, the oblique broad has a learning curve as you need to relearn how to hold the pen as it was meant to help with people who didn't hold their flex pens fully perpendicular to the paper and get the same line variations. As a result, holding it how you're suppose to hold flex pens (downstroke flex), you will scratch the paper.
Tray 7-3. Pelikan 140 OB, Piston, Green Cel, Gold Trim
💰 Asking: $225 OBO
🥇 Grade: C- Vintage
🔱 Nib: Pelikan 14c-585 | 350g BUTTERFLEX
🖋️ Line Spec: F - 6B (0.30mm, 2.18mm)
📐 Dimensions: 12.41mm capped, 11.44mm uncapped
⚖️ Weight: 14.6g capped, 8.9g uncapped📒 Details:
Celluloid has beautiful striations with darker panels, but does have more UV damage than R9, brassing covers all of the clip and cap band.
Has been my personal writer for over a year now for writing letters and thank you notes. A beautiful writer and pen, well worn, and well maintained.
Tray 11-2. Swan 1060 Torpedo, #4 Gold Artist, Black Celluloid, 3-band Gold Trim
💰 Price: $685 OBO
🥇 Grade: B+ Mint Vintage Restored
✨ Carnauba Waxed
🔱 Nib: Swan #4 14ct Mabie Todd Co LTD. Made in England
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: 310g Butterflex
🖋️ Line Spec: FM - 7B | 0.50mm - 2.81mm (5.6x)
⛽ Filling Type: "Leverless" Twist-Filler
📐 Dimensions: 127.2mm capped, 123.2mm uncapped, 9.15mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 16.7g capped, 10.7g uncapped🧪 QA Notes (writing test paper/ink, railroading behavior, flow adjustments)
Incredibly snappy nib that shades like no tomorrow, you can see the fluctuations in the writing sample, especially on the snapback test and figure 8's. Very wispy lines to finish off my T's and with light pressure easily writes in a medium (Asian) or fine (Western).
💡 Buyer Guidance (who it’s best for: beginner calligraphy, showing off shading inks, etc.)
Very long tines (artist) that is especially great at shading when flexed, with a hint of feedback which is quite helpful for calligraphy. Recommended to intermediate calligraphers in case you're not used to longer flex nibs as they can get caught on paper fibers.
🔧 Restoration Commentary (repairs done, feed/nib adjusted, polishing notes)
minty mint
Tray 11-6. Swan 3250 Cigar, #2 Gold Artist F // RIGHT OBLIQUE, Maroon Celluloid, 2-band Gold Trim
💰 Price: $255 OBO
🥇 Grade: B+ Vintage
✨ Carnauba Waxed
🔱 Nib: Swan #2 14ct Mabie Todd Co LTD. Made in England
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: 450g Superflex
🖋️ Line Spec: F - 6B | 0.30mm - 2.26mm (7.53x)
⛽ Filling Type: Spring-Lever Filler
📐 Dimensions: 127.0mm capped, 115.7mm uncapped, 8.49mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 16.6g capped, 10.6g uncapped🧪 QA Notes (writing test paper/ink, railroading behavior, flow adjustments)
Amazing feed flow and maintains a very consistent F line when writing with light pressure, feed flows fast so there will be a build up of queued ink if you flex without stopping between strokes. Maxed out lines with moderate pressure reaches 2.29mm+, I really don’t push them that hard so you may get a bit wider but I wouldn’t risk it. Wonderful flourishing to top off your T’s as the nib shades ink very well even without flexing.
💡 Buyer Guidance (who it’s best for: beginner calligraphy, showing off shading inks, etc.)
Smooth nib with more feedback for right-handed writers, perfectly smooth for lefties
Great for expressing ink characteristics
🔧 Restoration Commentary (repairs done, feed/nib adjusted, polishing notes)
Bit of brassing on the lever arm, but mint cap trim otherwise.
Perfect imprints.
Tray 13-1. Montblanc Heritage Collection Rouge et Noir, 14k gold M nib, Coral Resin, Silver Serpent
💰 Price: $800 OBO
🖼️ Gallery: https://heronsmooncake.smugmug.com/Rpenswap/Tray-13-consignments/Montblanc-rouge-et-noir-heritage/n-zgpB59
🥇 Grade: B+, inked but mint with no imperfections, includes box and papers
🔱 Nib: Montblanc 14k Snek Nib with Triangle breather hole
🖋️ Line Spec: M | 0.60mm
⛽ Filling Type: Piston Filler
📐 Dimensions: 135.54mm capped, 125.05mm uncapped, 8.37mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 35.0g capped, 27.0g uncapped
📒 Details:
- Coral "precious" resin with hefty brass/steel internal mechanism
- Off the MB site: "The Heritage Collection Rouge et Noir celebrates the 110-year-old pioneering spirit of Montblanc. Reinterpreting the legendary writing instrument. it features a longer. slimmer silhouette. modern piston filler technology and craftsmanship refined over generations. The exclusive fountain pen's barrel is made of coral precious lacquer combined with coral precious resin cap. Snake Clip in vintage look with matching fittings. The clip is made by a stamping and winding process in a special alloy metal and is aged by a unique galvanic and stripping process."
- For someone who pretty much only writes with vintage pens, esp vintage MB's, I am starting to like these modern MB's, the overall fit and finish are just really nice in the hand. Was a pleasure to do the writing sample, super smooth M nib that has some bounce to it, but overall experience is really nice given the heftier feel of the pen. It's like comparing the modern brass Parker Duofold Centennials vs the resin ones, nice and meaty esp at this size which is a good comparison to a 0552 1/2V LEC Waterman.
Tray 13-4. Waterman Glass Cartridge Pen, #2 14k gold Superflex, Grey Celluloid, NPT
💰 Price: $250 OBO
🥇 Grade: B+, mint vintage restored
✨ Carnauba Waxed
🔱 Nib: Waterman Ideal PAT. OFF. #2
🖋️ Line Spec: EF | 0.20mm
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: 400g Superflex
⛽ Filling Type: Glass Cartridge
📐 Dimensions: 121.58mm capped, 116.34mm uncapped, 9.06mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 15.2g capped, 10.5g uncapped
📒 Details:
- An incredible flex pen by Waterman in the 1930's modeled after Waterman's 92/32 and 3V models which are more commonly seen in the UK. Later versions were produced by JIF-Waterman in France, but this earlier Made in U.S. model usually have a much more flexible nib than later versions.
- Bonkers how mint the celluloid condition is for a pen of this age, just goes to show how big the effect of proper storage does for a pen, as it was sitting in a vented cabinet for decades.
- The glass cartridge you can treat just like a plastic modern day one, refill with a syringe filler for less mess. I'll include a thin pipette for you as well.
- **Refilling**: hold the pen right side up, unscrew the butt of the barrel section, and it will expose the cartridge for cleaning/refill. The latex suction gasket will not hold the weight of the cartridge, it is locked in when you screw the butt section back on.
Tray 13-6. SOLD Esterbrook Relief No.12, #2 14k gold OBB nib, Blue Marble Celluloid, Gold-Plated-Trim
~~~
💰 Price: SOLD, user reached out for restoration work
🥇 Grade: B-, great celluloid condition, faded color, plating loss on trim
✨ Carnauba Waxed
🔱 Nib: Relief 14ct 2 Made in England, Esterbrook & Co
🖋️ Line Spec: BB (1.00mm) horizontal, M (0.60mm) vertical
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: not flex, stiffer nib
⛽ Filling Type: Spring-Lever Filler
📐 Dimensions: 128.80mm capped, 113.24mm uncapped, 8.96mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 15.1g capped, 9.4g uncapped
~~~
📒 Details:
- This is the 'Broad' variation of the Estie Relief, standardized to my testing system it is an OBB, with lines reaching over 1.00mm on horizontal strokes as a right handed user at ~30 degrees writing angle. If you change the angle of your hand, you get variations of the widths as you can see in my writing sample with the hairlines and broad downstrokes. Oblique nibs are always some of the most fun nibs you can get on vintage pens because the angles and/or positions of the tipping feel so much *subjectively* better than modern cuts, and you aren't limited to just OB/OBB, OF OM are some of my personal faves. fun to QA and talk about with estie fans.
- a bit more wear to the trim and plating, but still a beautiful estie. this 1950's No12 model is actually the same exact shape as the Conway Stewart 28 models of the time, just white labeled for Esterbrook in England.
Tray 13-8. Aikin Lambert Capitol, #2 14k F Noodle nib, Red and Turquoise Celluloid, GPT
💰 Price: $420 OBO
🥇 Grade: B, mint celluloid condition, clip and lever arm has some wear
✨ Carnauba Waxed
🔱 Nib: 14KT ALCO USA
🖋️ Line Spec: F - 6B | 0.30mm - 2.00mm
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: 260g Noodle Flex
⛽ Filling Type: Spring-Lever Filler
📐 Dimensions: 127.28mm capped, 119.17mm uncapped, 8.24mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 12.3g capped, 7.7g uncapped
📒 Details:
- Aikin Lambert Co. or ALCO started in the 1864 as a jewelry shop making high-grade dip pens until the 1890's when they ventured into high end luxury fountain pens with incredibly ornate gold and silver overlays. They supplied Writ and Waterman with high grade nibs and eventually they entered into a joint partnership with Waterman with notable subbrands like Remex. Afterwards the whole of ALCO was acquired by L.E. Waterman Co. in 1915, where the brand's designs became more mainstream.
- Very rare to find an Aikin Lambert Capitol in mint celluloid, this pen was likely a 1920's-1930's model, as Aikin Lambert was retired as a sub-brand of Waterman around this time.
- Incredibly deep red and light turquoisey blue marble segments in the celluloid, connected with black veining which helps highlight the contrasts in colors.
- Later model ALCO feed that performs wonderfully, the nib has a hint of feedback given the long and sharp tines but as a result, can hairline wonderfully when flourishing script. Very nice flex width, typical of ALCO nibs, I feel that they are a super underrated brand atm given the hype around waterman, that being said, early Aikin models of the 1890-1910 are a bit more tricky to get used to.
Tray 13-10. Waterman's Lady Elsa Ring-Top, #2 GP-Steel Nib, Blue Gold Casein, GPT
💰 Price: $200 OBO
🖼️ Gallery: https://heronsmooncake.smugmug.com/Rpenswap/Tray-13-consignments/Waterman-lady-elsa/n-XcqDLg
🥇 Grade: B+, mint
🔱 Nib: Waterman's France M
🖋️ Line Spec: M | 0.60mm
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: Not Flex, but very soft and bouncy
⛽ Filling Type: Cartridge Converter
📐 Dimensions: 141.58mm posted, 113.64mm capped, 103.15mm uncapped, 8.30mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 14.3g capped, 6.1g uncapped📒 Details:- there was another listing a while back from the goat u/penchantment, this one does not have the swapped 14k flex nib, but instead is the factory gold plated steel nib. But it will come with it's factory soft leather sleeve with the French Waterman's logo embossed on it. WILL NOT COME WITH MINI CARTRIDGES (sorry ran out). PenBoutique has these in stock, and I have reduced the listing price to reflect this.- A fantastic slip-cap with a strong seal, and super convenient cartridge swaps as the rear finial is threaded so you can pop it cartridges in without needing to unscrew the nib section, much less risk of ink going everywhere. Very solidly built pen that is primarily brass for all high stress points, very well balanced both uncapped or posted at 141.58mm (the rear finial is recessed for this reason).- The gold-plated nib is incredibly soft and smooth, perfect for everyday writing. another fun fact is that it fits perfectly in most hobonichi cover pockets, I tested on my Roterfaden A5, ymmv. Tray 9-7. Waterman 52 1/2, #2 Butterflex EEEF, BCHR, 18kf clip 14ks lever
💰 Asking: $335 OBO
🖼️ Gallery: https://heronsmooncake.smugmug.com/Rpenswap/Tray-9-july-waterman-01/Waterman-52-12-post-edit/n-r4j352
🥇 Grade: B+ Vintage
✨ Carnauba Waxed
🔱 Nib: Waterman Ideal REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. #2 MADE IN U.S.A. 14k gold
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: 330g Butterflex
🖋️ Line Spec: EEEF - 5B | 0.10mm - 1.88mm (18.8x)
⛽ Filling Type: Lever-Filler
📐 Dimensions: 13.65cm capped, | 12.97cm uncapped
⚖️ Weight: 12.0g capped, 8.5g uncapped📒 Details:
A restored to mint 52 1/2 waterman with one of the most tasteful additions of proper gold plating that adds subtle elegance and understated clout. It has near perfect imprints throughout, including rear finial, as a later production model when Waterman removed the patent dates on hallmark imprints. The 1/2 series by Waterman designated a slimmer-in-girth model of pen whereas models with a "V" represented shorter length of the pen.
Barrel Hallmark reads "WATERMAN'S REG.U.S. IDEAL PAT.OFF. FOUNTAIN PEN"
Barrel Finial Hallmark reads " WATERMAN'S REG.U.S.PAT.OFF. MADE IN U.S.A."
Lever Box is 14k solid gold
Barrel Band is 14k gold plated
Clip-Cap is 18k gold filled (thick gold plating), exceptionally rare on these 1/2 model sizes
52 1/2 is in my opinion among the best sized vintage pens, if not of all time, especially for a flexxxy writing experience. Extremely solid ebonite barrel that transitions to a beautiful tapered grip section that doesn't block your view of the nib. The slimmer tapered section and barrel make for an extremely precise writing experience that is a real joy when practicing calligraphy.
This pen has one of the most balanced #2 nibs I've written with in a while, it's not a noodle so it will take some moderate pressure to flex it, but boy oh boy, it is so precise and fun to write with. Incredibly crisp flourished hairlines and you can just go to town on line variation because of how thin it gets. Amazing and responsive snapback that makes flourishing a breeze and looks so professional even with my mediocre calligraphy skills. From the writing sample you can see how amazing the line variation is going from such thin stable hairlines especially in the difference of the flourished crosses on my t's.
Modern pen equivalent would be a Platinum UEF (0.15mm) tuned to a true EEEF (0.10mm)
Tray 5-3. Parker Duofold International MKII, Jasper Red, Gold Trim
💰 Asking: $215 OBO
🖼️ Gallery: https://heronsmooncake.smugmug.com/Rpenswap/Tray-6-Parker/Jasper-red/n-M5Bmkn
🥇 Grade: A2, inked once, minty Tray 6 Picture & Verification
🔱 Nib: Parker Duofold International Bi-tone 18k gold in Fine
📐 Dimensions: 13.2cm capped, 12.4cm uncapped
⚖️ Weight: 22.0g capped, 14.4g uncapped📒 Details: 1996 Made in U.K.
These MKII internationals are the perfect size pen if oversized styles aren't for you. Super well balanced with a nice vintage Parker Arrow nib that has softness to it to really add some some minor flourishing with ink to the page. Bright red barrel and cap will be sure to seduce you to pick it up every time you pull it out.
Parker Fine nibs write similarly to a Pilot Medium
Lived in my Toyooka-60 for the past year, no UV exposure, temp and moisture controlled.
A relatively rarer pen to find in mint condition
Comes with the standard 1990s Parker converter
Tray 10-4. Montblanc 242G Ski-Slope, B-CEL, GPT, #2 M Butterflex
💰 Price: $365 OBO
🖼️ Gallery: https://heronsmooncake.smugmug.com/Rpenswap/Tray-10-montblanc/04-MB-242G-ski-slope/n-7qqbNj
🥇 Grade: B+ Vintage
✨ Carnauba Waxed
🔱 Nib: Montblanc #2 14C M
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: 370g Butterflex
🖋️ Line Spec: FM - 5B | 0.40mm - 1.78mm (4.45x)
⛽ Filling Type: Blind-cap Piston Filler
📐 Dimensions: 13.44cm capped, | 12.82cm uncapped
⚖️ Weight: 23.4g capped, 16.4g uncapped📒 Details:
An extremely desirable and collectible model by Montblanc fans, this 242G is in near mint condition with only some brassing to the cap clip.
Piston seals restored with FKM o-rings that should last decades to come.
Tines do spread to a line width of 2.06mm based on QA testing, but I wouldn't push it that hard on the regular so 1.78mm is a really good baseline for local maxima flex. Interestingly, it has a bit of a stubbish grind on the nib with a 0.50mm downstroke, not uncommon on these medium nibs given the angle of the iridum tipping. Very controlled and stable writer that can be a real workhorse, if not kept behind a glass case to complete a set of early Montblancs.
Tray 11-1. Swan 1060 Flat-Top, #4 Gold Stub, Black Celluloid, 3-band Gold Trim
💰 Price: $485 OBO
🥇 Grade: B- Vintage
✨ Carnauba Waxed
🔱 Nib: Swan #4 14ct Mabie Todd Co LTD. Made in England
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: 430g Superflex
🖋️ Line Spec: FM - 4B | (0.45mm horizontal, 0.70mm vertical) - 2.43mm (x5.4)
⛽ Filling Type: "Leverless" Twist-Filler
📐 Dimensions: 133.2mm capped, 120.6mm uncapped, 9.27mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 17.9g capped, 10.7g uncapped🧪 QA Notes (writing test paper/ink, railroading behavior, flow adjustments)
Amazingly controlled tine spread, but a weaker snapback. the cursive italic stub grind on this makes for such an insanely good writer especially if you like modern OBB, BB, or Stubs. 0.45mm vertical and 0.70mm horizontal makes for incredible line variation even without flexing as seen in the writing sample's "S" for Swan. Perfectly juicy flow for a cursive italic nib that keeps up nicely.
💡 Buyer Guidance (who it’s best for: beginner calligraphy, showing off shading inks, etc.)
Very smooth nib in all directions, grind was cursive italic with minimal feedback, easy to flex for all skill levels, but prefers much larger writing fonts as per the usual for stubs.
🔧 Restoration Commentary (repairs done, feed/nib adjusted, polishing notes)
Some brassing to the cap lip gold bands and top of clip ball, small scratches to rear twist-filler knob and a few scratches below the cap clip ball that I couldn't remove.
Very Crisp imprints and hallmarks.
Tray 11-3. Swan 4460 (1060) Torpedo, #4 Gold Artist, Black Celluloid, 3-band Gold Trim
💰 Price: $785 OBO
🥇 Grade: B+ Mint Vintage Restored
✨ Carnauba Waxed
🔱 Nib: Swan #4 K 14C-585 Mabie Todd Co LTD. Made in England
🌡️ Flexibility Pressure: 320g Butterflex
🖋️ Line Spec: EF - 6B | 0.25mm - 2.00mm (8.0x)
⛽ Filling Type: "Leverless" Twist-Filler
📐 Dimensions: 136.3mm capped, 123.5mm uncapped, 9.36mm grip (section)
⚖️ Weight: 16.6g capped, 10.9g uncapped🧪 QA Notes (writing test paper/ink, railroading behavior, flow adjustments)
Another very long tined artist nib, but this one has a little bit less snapback, still wonderful given it has even longer tines (which is the usual tradeoff for legnth vs snapback), maximum tine flex reaches a very nice 2.00mm but a significantly thinner line with no pressure at 0.25mm well within the EF cutoff, thus the actual line variation (8x) is more significant than even prior artist nib with the crazier 2.81mm max spread. Largely a personal preference sort of decision.
💡 Buyer Guidance (who it’s best for: beginner calligraphy, showing off shading inks, etc.)
Intermediate to advanced calligraphers, very little feedback, but the longer tines are not beginner friendly, but will be super friendly to make crazy hairlines, 0.25 is for regular writing, you can easily get thinner hair lines if you feather up and side strokes when flourishing.
This is the budget (1/2 the price) Waterman Pink nib to be frank, I added a writing sample comparison in the gallery as well. This will sport a much bigger grip section as well compared with a Waterman 7 Pink's 8.67mm grip.
🔧 Restoration Commentary (repairs done, feed/nib adjusted, polishing notes)
Mint everything including the factory "1060" hidden imprint