Waterman Registry
Waterman Catalog, archive.org [source]
Waterman · c. 1899-1930s
Waterman Overlay Patterns
★★★★☆
$100-13,950 (Tree Trunk)
Eyedropper
Filling System
Various (eyedropper, safety, lever filler)
Nib
14k gold
Material
Hard rubber with metal overlay
Variants
| Model | Material | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trefoil Vine Filigree | Sterling/gold-filled/solid gold (1907-23) | Art Nouveau. Most common filigree pattern. | |
| Basketweave/Bamboo | Sterling/gold-filled (1925+) | Art Deco geometric. | |
| Fine Silver Filigree | .999 pure silver (1899-1903) | Earliest. Electrodeposition with hand piercings. Rare. | |
| Scroll Filigree | Gold-filled/sterling/solid gold (1904-07) | Sinuous abstract scrolling. | |
| Chased Filigree | Sterling/gold-filled (1908+) | Open scrolling in relief. | |
| Tree Trunk | Sterling silver | $3,269-13,950 | HOLY GRAIL. Only a handful known. Lever filler and eyedropper versions. |
| Gothic | Sterling/gold-filled | Found on 0552, 452, 403. | |
| Sheraton | Gold-filled | French market variant exists. | |
| Pansy Panel | Gold-filled/rose gold-filled | Found on 0552, 0512V PSF, 452½ LEC. | |
| Barleycorn | Sterling/gold-filled | More popular in UK than USA. | |
| Hand Engraved Vine | Various | Most expensive catalogued pattern. Clips/levers engraved to match. | |
| Bay Leaf | Sterling | Scarce. Found only on 494 and Lady Patricia. | |
| Duchesse | Unknown | Rare. Found only on 452½V. | |
| Moderne | Various | Uncommon late pattern. Popular in France/UK. | |
| Indian Scroll | Various | ||
| Oriental | Sterling/gold-filled | ||
| Colonial | Various | ||
| Etched Floral (1908) | Fine silver (unmarked) | Rare acid-etched. Half-overlay most common. | |
| Etched Floral (1919) | Various | Engraved flowers and leaves. |
What to Look For
The Tree Trunk pattern is the holy grail of Waterman overlays — only a handful of examples are known to exist, in both lever filler (452) and eyedropper versions. Sold prices range from $3,269 to $13,950. Other rare patterns: Bay Leaf (only on 494/Lady Patricia), Duchesse (only on 452½V), Fine Silver Filigree (.999 pure, 1899-1903). Common patterns: Trefoil Vine, Gothic, Barleycorn.
Reference page documenting all known Waterman overlay patterns from Trefoil Vine Filigree to the Holy Grail Tree Trunk ($13,950). See the variants table for the complete catalog.