Product Description
Type Vintage lever filling fountain pen.
Product Name Ink-Vue, the last interation of the model aka the Blue Streak version. These pens are very hard to find in good working condition because they are very hard to restore and easy to break if you don't have experience with the model. The restoration begins with the small stepped end of the barrel being unscrewed to access the sac, and so you find many pens broken at the section area where people assume the pen opens. It's very tricky to install the sac, as it is held in place by an o-ring that is wedged at the base of the sac (a modern alternative to the original flanged bulb sacs.)
Manufacturer and Year Waterman, made in USA -- circa 1938. This is the Type 2 (or vacuum-fill) version.
Length 5-1/8"
Filling System The pen is a lever filler which we have restored with a new sac, and tested to ensure that it's working perfectly.
Color This is one of the "Blue Streak" designs, striped with thin dark blue pinstripes. The primary colors are a brown gradient called Copper Pearl. Gold plated trim with three thin cap bands and the version of the clip made just prior to the introduction of the military clip in 1940.
Nib FLEXIBLE EXTRA FINE Waterman's Ideal "keyhole" 14k gold nib is smooth with lovely tipping material. It's about what we would call fully flexible, with easy line variation from extra fine to a narrow broad. See our writing sample below. The feed is a two-tone black and red ebonite with Waterman written on it.
Condition Excellent + condition. The viewing window is very clear and the imprints are clear. The trim has little plating wear with the most wear on the disc at the top of the cap. There are some very minor scratches here and there, but very little real wear. The cap has an ambered transparent portion just above the clip. The imprint is clear and readable, and there are no chips, dings, dents, or personalizations. The pen has been fully restored and it's working very well.
