Waterman Catalog, archive.org [source]
Waterman · c. 1894-1914
Waterman 18
Variants
| Model | Material | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0518 | Gold-filled filigree overlay | $400-1000+ | Near-mint examples exceptionally rare |
| 418 | Sterling silver overlay | ||
| 518 | Solid gold overlay | ||
| 18S | Safety variant (retractable nib) | Among the rarest Waterman models |
What to Look For
Second-largest Waterman. #8 nib is oversized. Safety variant (18S) is very rare.
The Waterman Model 18 is one of the largest early Waterman eyedroppers — “the second-largest size offered” with the oversized #8 nib.1
Construction
Made of black hard rubber with a cone cap.1 The #8 nib is a substantial writing instrument — far larger than the common #2 of the Model 12. The pen dates to c. 1900-1914.1 Like other early Watermans, nibs are often flexible.1
Pricing (1919 Catalog)
The 1919 Waterman catalog prices the Model 18 family:2
- No. 18 plain or chased: $8.00
- No. 0718 (one gold middle band): $9.00
- No. 0618 (two gold bands): $9.00
- Sterling silver overlays: up to $11.002
- Solid gold overlay (518): $40.00+2
The $8 price in 1919 (roughly $140 in today’s money) made this a premium pen.2
Notable Variants
The gold-filled filigree overlay version (0518) is among the most impressive Waterman eyedroppers.3 The Peyton Street Pens identifier documents 0518 examples with fine-flex #8 New York nibs in near-mint to superior condition.3
The safety pen variant (18S) — with a retractable nib — is described by Peyton Street as rare, documented with a fine flexible New York nib in smooth hard rubber.3 It is among the rarest standard Waterman models.
Rarity
Large eyedroppers (nib sizes #6 and above) are significantly less common than the smaller #2 and #4 models that dominated sales.1 The combination of large size and overlay makes variants like the 0518 filigree especially scarce.3