Vintage 1920’s Rare Waterman Ideal Special Iridium Pen Nib Fountain Pen. Welcome to a New Segment in Engeika. Discovering the Hidden Treasure of Japan. Welcome to our collection, where we present rare Japanese fountain pens from the 1930s to the 1950s. These are brands that you may be unfamiliar with, as well as brands that have lost their history and legacy but are not forgotten. Explore the fascinating origins of each pen and indulge in the delightful writing experience offered by these Vintage Japanese Fountain Pens. Today we are here to introduce a. Use for an everyday writing instrument. Smooth, compact & portable. Material: Metal, Gold Pattern, Iridum Nib. Filling mechanism: Tomeshiki (Ink-Stopper). Nib: Special Iridium 1 Pen Nib. Length: 115 mm (Cap) / 111 mm (Nib). ABOUT VINTAGE WATERMAN IDEAL. The Waterman Ideal nib is one of the most iconic and historically important nib designs produced by Waterman. The term “Ideal” was introduced by the company in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and became the signature marking found on many of Waterman’s classic fountain pen nibs. During the early development of fountain pens, Waterman sought to create a nib that could deliver consistent ink flow and dependable writing performance. The name “Ideal” represented the company’s vision of producing the perfect writing nib-one that balanced flexibility, durability, and smoothness. As a result, Waterman Ideal nibs quickly gained recognition for their craftsmanship and reliability. Most vintage Waterman Ideal nibs were made from 14K gold, often engraved with the word IDEAL, the gold content, and a size number that indicated the nib’s relative dimensions or the model of pen it was intended for. These nibs were widely used on many of Waterman’s early fountain pens from the 1900s through the 1930s, including lever-fill and eyedropper-filled models that were popular during that era. A distinctive characteristic of many vintage Waterman Ideal nibs is their smooth writing feel with a noticeable degree of natural flexibility. Compared to many modern nibs, these vintage gold nibs can often produce subtle line variation when pressure is applied, making them particularly appreciated by collectors and writers who enjoy expressive handwriting. The Special Iridium 1 Pen nib fitted to this vintage piece reflects the practical craftsmanship of its era. Made from durable steel and tipped with iridium, the nib was designed to withstand regular use while maintaining a smooth and consistent writing surface. The iridium tipping enhances longevity, helping preserve the nib’s shape and performance even after years of writing. Typically firm in character, the Special Iridium 1 nib offers controlled ink flow and a steady line, making it well suited for everyday writing and note-taking. Its straightforward construction emphasizes reliability and function, embodying the honest, workhorse quality often associated with early twentieth-century writing instruments. Today, it adds authentic vintage charm while continuing to provide dependable performance on the page. The Tomeshiki Filler System (or the Ink Stopper Filler System) functions similiarly to a eyedropper, the piston at the back is a mechanism that stops or allows the ink to flow into the nib. It is a old Japanese Filler Mechanism that have been disregarded as time passed for more easier ink access. Even we ourselve have discovered this type of filler found only in Japanese made Vintage pens. To use the pen. Unscrew the grip section to separate it from the barrel. Use an eyedropper to inject ink directly into the barrel. Reattach the grip section securely. Once sealed, turn the piston knob (at the end of the barrel) counterclockwise to open the ink stopper. Hold the pen nib-down to allow ink to flow into the feed. After a few minutes, the pen should begin to write. Turn the piston clockwise again to close the ink stopper. If the ink in the feed runs out, simply repeat step 4 to allow more ink to flow in. The pen is in overall great condition, with no dents or cracks. However the pen`s Urushi have developed a beautiful hue due to patina but otherwise are still in beautiful condition. The nib is in good condition very smooth on the paper and quite good ink flow. Overall A Tier Condition! We were fortunate enough to obtain this pen from an avid fountain pen collector in Japan, who happens to take care of his collections really well and hence we were fortunate to receive this pen in good state. Please treat the pen with the utmost care, if you do not know what you are doing, please refrain from opening hinges or things that might appear untightened, due to the age of this pen and hard contact or excessive force exerted on the pen damaging the pen. For the seeds you just plant, let’s us join a hand to water it. As a plant grows with day-to-day care, at Engeika, your satisfaction grows with our lifelong experiences and the fullest attention. Founded in 1987, Engeika has been known as a leading direct-to-customer e-commerce retailer specializing in writing instruments, watches, bags & cases and recently lighters. Our mission is to bring the most wonderful products with the best quality and design to our customers from all over the world. Engeika means horticulturist in Japanese. A horticulturist is a person who uses scientific as well as artistic knowledge to give the best caring to every single plant in his/her garden. The development of plants is his/her joy. And, the name says it all. We, at Engeika, love and proud to take care of each of you, our dear customers, as your satisfaction is our happiness and motivation everyday. In each product in our store, we would like to bring to YOU not only the BEST QUALITY or the MOST AMAZING DESIGN but also the INSPIRING STORY lying under each of them. Our story all starts with the love for fountain pens as well as all writing instruments. We used to be amatuer in this field but time after time, knowledge is gained and experiences evolve. We are now proud to bring you not only the best writing products but also the most useful advice so that you can have the most satisfactory writing afterwards. If you have any questions about writing, please ask us anytime, you will quickly find your answer with our help. I love to receive messages from you! If you have any question or inquiry, please FEEL FREE to ask me! To contact me through EbayPlease feel free to write me in any language you like. I will try my best to understand your words and write to you in English or Japanese. Once the item has been arrived to you, please kindly check it carefully. The return is only accepted during the return period. Items must be in new condition and has not been used at all means. Before returning any item, please contact in advance. Item Condition Grade for Engeika Vintage Fountain Pen: Please Check Our Vintage Fountain Pen Grade list and read the item’s condition list to see the Pen’s actual grade ratings. But for an even more detailed description of our pens condition, we have provided a grade tier list to help you determine if this is the pen for you. S Tier – Almost like Brand New: This pen is in exceptional condition, almost as if it were brand new. There are no signs of rust on the clip, and the original filling system is still intact and does not require replacement. The cap and piston filler, if applicable, screw on and off smoothly without any difficulties. The nib color is vivid with limited to no scratches. Any hairline scratches are barely visible, and there are no cracks on the pen. The pen feels smooth, polished, and shiny. A Tier – Excellent Condition: This pen is in excellent condition with only minor flaws. There may be small chips on the nib, but no rust is present. Hairline scratches may be visible on the body, cap, and nib. The nib color remains consistent, although small scratches may be seen upon close inspection. The pen can be easily screwed on and off, and the filling system works properly. The original filling system is intact with no cracks on the body of the pen. The pen still feels smooth, polished, and shiny. B Tier – Good Condition: This pen is in good condition and is perfectly usable. It may have some rust on the clip and trim. The nib color may have changed due to weathering or ink stains. The filling system has been replaced with a new one, possibly because the original one had hardened over time and needed replacement. There are no cracks on the pen, but there may be hairline scratches present. C Tier – Fair Condition: This pen is in fair condition and is functional, but it has noticeable scratches on the body and cap. The trim may be rusted or chipped. Although there are no cracks, the filling system also requires replacement. The nib color may have changed, or the nib itself may have been re-polished. F Tier – Poor Condition: This pen is still writable, but it is cosmetically in a terrible state. A major refurbishment has been conducted to restore the pen to an acceptable condition, but in the process, many of its original characteristics have been lost. Please note that this item condition grade is based on general standards and may vary depending on the specific criteria and expectations of different collectors or sellers. ATTENTION: HIGH-DUTY REGIONS (LATAM). ARGENTINA: Strict “door-to-door” regulations apply. RESTRICTED: We are currently unable to deliver to Russia, North Korea, Belarus, or Ukraine. Yemen, Cyprus, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, UAE, Oman, Venezuela, Qatar, Egypt. FOR US CUSTOMERS: ALL-INCLUSIVE (DDP). As of late 2025, the US “Duty-Free” allowance was suspended. FOR INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS (NON-US): STANDARD (DDU). In 99% of cases, your order will reach your door with no further. Note these 2026 carrier policies. Japan Post EMS: Your local post office e.
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