Waterman Ideal 452 1/2 L.E.C. Sterling Silver

I spent this Thanksgiving with my parents down in Florida and had brought my Jinhao 159 with me to do some writing. When my mom saw that I was using a fountain pen, she said she had what she thought was my grandfather’s old Sheaffer fountain pen. I was giddy with the thought of what she was bringing back, very similar to a kid on Christmas morning! When she returned, she handed me a thin sterling silver pen that had a good patina going. The only initial markings I could read on the outside were Ideal and 452 ½ L. E. C. After some quick research, I found out it was a Waterman Ideal 452 ½ L. E. C. Sterling Silver hand engraved fountain pen (I’m still a learning all the different pens out there). The only thing that was a Sheaffer was the nib, which is a number 3 instead of a Waterman number 2.

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The pen had been sitting in my mom’s desk drawer for 30 years since my grandfather’s death, so there was much dried ink on the feed. I stuck the nib and exposed feed in a glass of cool water with a drop of dish soap and immediately the ink came alive reveling a beautiful blue. My mom was amazed and started to reminisce about how her dad would rip the top off the ink box and would stick the pen upright in the corner of the box to keep them together on his desk. It turns out that the ink was Script’s from the description/color of the box. I was amazed at my mom’s ability to remember the name and detail of the box that she gave me from all those years ago.

I was able to get a few writing samples before the ink ran dry and shared the enjoyment of writing with my mom. She was a bit overwhelmed at using her dad’s pen after all this time, but I think it brought back some found memories. The hunter green in is from the 159 medium nib and on the right is the Waterman with Scripts blue (fine nib???). The pen wrote beautifully with just a hint of feedback on Black n’ Red paper and felt to be a perfect weight when posted. You can tell the difference in the handwriting between my mom’s (bottom left) and my chicken scratch, which I am working on improving!

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I am trying to get an approximate date on this pen, but the marking on the clip is throwing me off. Most of the ones that I have seen are marked with the word “Ideal” turned 90 degrees and clip-cap stamped on the clip. Maybe because the pen I have has a twist cap is the reason why the clip is not stamped as all the others.

I would like to get the original nib for this pen and get it restored it to a working condition by one of the pros so I can keep it in a nice display box as it has so much sentimental value. If you were given a gift like this, what would you do with it? Restore it or leave it as is?

Well enough of my rambling, time for the rest of the pictures. Disclaimer: all of the pictures are from a cell phone with bad room lighting.

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I don't have any information, but that is a spectacular pen. That it is a family heirloom makes it even better.

That Jinhao 159 was probably the best investment you have made, or ever will.

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Originally Posted by Jeph

That Jinhao 159 was probably the best investment you have made, or ever will.

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The 159 was a test of my patience. The pen did not write well at all when I got it even after several cleanings (hard starts, skips, etc.). I finally got it to where is is a decent pen.

Great story, thanks for sharing. I have a Sheaffer my uncle handed to me about 4 years ago (uncle by marriage) and said it had been his dad's pen and his dad used it every day. A new bottle of ink was in his other hand - unopened Skrips his dad bought but never had a chance to use. I have used the pen several times after cleaning and having a new sac put in. My uncle is his 70's and knew his own kids would never care about the pen. Tells you how old this one is. Heirloom pens are the best pens around. They come with a story and the touch of someone who valued them, and like your story, you too.

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 4

This is one of the variations of the Pansy Panel pattern - ironically, the one with no pansies depicted. The words "Clip Cap" appeared only on the early Waterman clips - however, the later ones had "Watermans" in that place. Either yours is worn off, or it was never stamped either way by mistake. It appears that the end of your lever is broken off - it should be round with the Waterman globe on it. It should be easy to find the proper #2 Waterman nib for the pen. Nice pen!