Waterman #20 (January 26th, 2024)

For 2024, I have started my exercise of being a minimalist and the first thing is to limit the umber of new purchase.. for vintage watches, I have set a target of having 4 watches max for the whole 2024. Likewise for I shall do the same for vintage pens limiting it to 4 max.I have been looking for a Waterman nos 20 for a long time. It is quite a rare fountain pen with its ultra jumbo size, similar to the Parker Giant. After much searching, in January 2024,  I have finally managed to find one from a reputable pen dealers from US. Such pen will have to be bought from either collector or dealers as it is one of those rare pen that often appears only in auction. 

WATERMAN USA
Model: 20 BCHR XL 6.5" Fountain Pen Eyedropper
Year:1910s
Size:6.5", 8.75" posted
Nib: Waterman #10  14K 

This is Waterman 20-sized black hard rubber eyedropper, circa 1910. This is an Eyedropper Fountain Pen and that means you would unscrew the section to add the ink via an eyedropper. The barrel has great imprints at the center that read, "PAT'D 1884 MAY 23 1899 WATERMAN'S FOUNTAIN PEN N.Y. U.S.A. PAT'D MAY 23, 1899 & AUG 3, 1903 U.S.A". In those years pen companies competed with each other to offer oversized pens. Waterman has used this jumbo pen in association with the “World’s Smallest Pen” to attract attention in advertisements, in store window displays and Expositions). The number 20 is the biggest pen ever made by Waterman. The nib is also the biggest Waterman nib: it features a huge #10 nib, used only for the model 20. This model holds an enormous amount of ink for those who intend to write with it. Besides black, it also comes with red and black mottled colours.

This fountain pen is made from black hard rubber. The butt end of the fountain pen has a very crisp 20 imprint. The cap is a Slip-on type cap always securing tightly to the barrel with a bright white Nickel Clip.

Please see the comparison between a normal Montblanc fountain pen vs the Jumbo Waterman 20

Detail of barrel end imprint on the #20 pen

Detail of number 10 nib

Huge pens were a vouge at the time; there was the Parker Giant, the Parker Ultra Giant, the Dunn Giant, the Montblanc 12 Safety, the Moore 10 Safety and the Waterman 20 (cone cap and Safety).

Source : https://gopens.com/waterman-20-red-mottled-hard-rubber-vintage-pen/

Gopens used to be the best source for rare vintage fountain pens.Unfortunately, the owner has passed away. RIP.

According to some, the most desirable collectable pens are the Waterman (or Swan) number 20; the Parker Giant, the Montblanc number 12 safety pen, and the Namiki Giant.  The LeBoeuf number 75 or number 90 is also highly sought after.