For your consideration, we are honored to offer for sale this extraordinary Circa 1917–1923 Waterman No. 22 Black Chased Hard Rubber Eyedropper Fountain Pen, a remarkable survivor from the golden age of American fountain pen manufacturing. Preserved in Near Mint condition, this is one of the finest examples of an early Waterman Taper Cap fountain pen that I have encountered—a truly exceptional collector-grade writing instrument.
Produced during a transformative period in Waterman's history, the No. 22 represents the company's mastery of hard rubber fountain pen production before the widespread adoption of celluloid. Elegant in its simplicity, the pen combines a sleek taper cap design with a beautifully chased barrel, creating a refined appearance that remains timeless more than a century after its manufacture.
The condition of this example is nothing short of remarkable. The hard rubber retains a deep, rich black coloration with only the faintest hint of oxidation visible upon close inspection. The chasing remains unusually crisp and deeply defined throughout the barrel, exhibiting the sharp detail collectors hope to find but rarely encounter. Equally impressive is the preservation of the imprints, which remain bold and highly legible.
The barrel imprint reads: "WATERMAN'S IDEAL FOUNTAIN PEN N.Y. PAT. MAY 23, 1899 & AUG. 4, 1903." Note, I filled in the imprint with a china marker - it is a white wax that can easily be removed.
The cap secures firmly to the barrel with a precise friction fit exactly as intended. There are no cracks, repairs, personal engravings, or monograms to either the cap or barrel. The model designation "22" remains clearly stamped on the barrel end, confirming the pen's identity. Measuring approximately 5 3/4 inches capped, 6 3/4 inches posted, and weighing a mere .19 ounces, the pen offers the lightweight elegance that made early eyedropper fillers so comfortable for extended writing sessions.
This Waterman is an eyedropper fille. The barrel has been tested with water and fills and seals properly with no leakage, functioning exactly as originally designed over a century ago.
Fitted with a superb Waterman Ideal No. 2 14K gold nib, this pen offers the expressive writing qualities that established Waterman's reputation worldwide. The nib is a later replacement, still a proper #2 size that would have come with the pen. The nib measures approximately .64mm at the tip (iridium) when measuring with digital calipers, placing it within the Medium range. On paper, however, it reveals considerably more character. Under light pressure it produces a Fine line measuring approximately .50mm, while moderate pressure allows the nib to expand smoothly to a Broad line approaching .95mm. The result is a wonderfully responsive semi-flex writing experience with attractive line variation and excellent control. The writing sample shown in the listing was produced using the actual pen offered for sale and dipped in Faber-Castell Cobalt Blue ink.
Early Waterman taper cap eyedroppers occupy a special place in fountain pen history. They represent the final evolution of the classic eyedropper era before the widespread adoption of lever fillers and other self-filling mechanisms. While examples can still occasionally be found, locating one with deep black hard rubber, crisp chasing, strong imprints, and no structural issues is becoming increasingly difficult. Finding one in this level of preservation is extraordinarily uncommon.
Overall, this Waterman No. 22 confidently grades in Near Mint condition and stands among the finest examples I have ever handled. Whether destined for an advanced Waterman collection or acquired as a tangible piece of early American writing history, this fountain pen represents a rare opportunity to obtain an exceptional survivor from one of the most important eras in fountain pen development.
A truly outstanding Waterman Taper Cap—beautifully preserved, historically significant, and increasingly difficult to find in this remarkable state of preservation.
