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fountainpenkid
March 6th, 2015, 03:25 PM
Here's an interesting writeup on Waterman's 52 and 12 values' of late:

http://vintagepensblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/why-waterman-52.html

Has anyone here had an experience with this recently?

gregamckinney
March 6th, 2015, 03:55 PM
I read David's article a simultaneously nodding and shaking head (tough to do.)
I have observed the same things- even given out the 'simple and quick' advice to look for Waterman 52's.
Certainly the prices have gone up astronomically, particularly with some sellers just SOAKING users who are willing to pay astonishing prices for restored flex pens on line.

A feeding frenzy on driving a Waterman 7 with a pink nib to $700 surprises me.
A completed Buy It Now on a ratty Waterman 52 with a decent full-flex nib for $300 is, IMO, right on the edge of highway robbery.


greg

Scrawler
March 6th, 2015, 04:44 PM
I read David's article a simultaneously nodding and shaking head (tough to do.)
I have observed the same things- even given out the 'simple and quick' advice to look for Waterman 52's.
Certainly the prices have gone up astronomically, particularly with some sellers just SOAKING users who are willing to pay astonishing prices for restored flex pens on line.

A feeding frenzy on driving a Waterman 7 with a pink nib to $700 surprises me.
A completed Buy It Now on a ratty Waterman 52 with a decent full-flex nib for $300 is, IMO, right on the edge of highway robbery.


greg

I should have accepted the $400 I was offered for my Pink, and used it to buy a modern Italian pen, but my daughter told me to keep it for her.

fountainpenkid
March 6th, 2015, 05:03 PM
Here's some current (possible) examples of the phenomenon:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Waterman-54-Flex-4-Nib-Minty-VIVID-BLACK-Fountain-Pen-vtg-14k-gold-Ideal-52-/400875792784?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d560f2990
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GORGEOUS-WATERMAN-NO-12-PSP-BCHR-FULL-FLEX-14K-M-NIB-/111455651859?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f3464813
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WATERMAN-52-PEN-1920s-LONG-TINED-EXTRA-FLEXIBLE-WET-NOODLE-NIB-WORKING-/381173140922?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58bfb08dba

Scrawler
March 6th, 2015, 05:35 PM
Here's some current (possible) examples of the phenomenon:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Waterman-54-Flex-4-Nib-Minty-VIVID-BLACK-Fountain-Pen-vtg-14k-gold-Ideal-52-/400875792784?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d560f2990
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GORGEOUS-WATERMAN-NO-12-PSP-BCHR-FULL-FLEX-14K-M-NIB-/111455651859?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f3464813
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WATERMAN-52-PEN-1920s-LONG-TINED-EXTRA-FLEXIBLE-WET-NOODLE-NIB-WORKING-/381173140922?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58bfb08dba


The first one has tines slightly out of alignment on its #4 nib. It is a good thing it is a soft nib, because a small amount of pressure would be needed to do basic writing. But I suppose whoever buys it will just go to town pressing it to get it to flex. It is a nice pen, but not $300 worth of nice.

There is absolutely nothing special about the second one. It looks like an ordinary every day #2 nib. The seller has shown the nib stressed, but I doubt if the feed will keep up with it, which is why the writing samples do not show that amount of flex. I have paid as little as $16 for such nibs and the price must be just because the body is a 12.

The 3rd one has a relatively rare #2 nib with extra long fine tines that looks comparable in performance to a Pink, but is no where near as big.

I have half a mind to line up all my Watermans and ask for offers

gregamckinney
March 8th, 2015, 01:37 PM
I absolutely do not include Rob Morrison in the group of sellers who are taking advantage of this frenzy by "soaking" those who are clamoring for flex.
Unlike some who would have listed that third pen at $400+, the opening bid on his auction was $9.99. Madness took its own path.

greg