waterman

At the time, the General Agent for Waterman pens was Mr. Cavaliere Carlo Drisaldi Milan) who also imported Hardmuth products (pencils, erasers etc.) Both trademarks, Waterman and Hardmuth were advertized together, as it already happened in England. With the rapid growth of the pen market, specific Waterman catalogues were issued and pen ads multiplied. The range of pens comprised mainly black safeties; sleeve fillers and coin fillers were included for a very short while, but they never achieved any success in Italy.

Immediately after World War I, the Waterman Agency was handed over to Mr. Davide Capra, who could enjoy a booming market. The distribution of Waterman products developed through retailers (stationers, opticians, jewellers) and mail order catalogues.
Waterman standard catalogues for the Italian market comprised a selection of models with precious metal overlay; special catalogues, called "Jewellers' Catalogues" comprised instead pens with overlay only. The range of overlays used on Waterman pens or specifically designed for this brand in Italy, undoubtedly represents one of the widest and most fascinating selection of decorative patterns and fancy creations.

The production of overlays for Waterman pens was strictly controlled by the General Agent: every overlay had to be hallmarked by the established standards. The official hallmarks were depicted in every catalogue and buyers were advised to check them carefully before purchasing a pen. A number of "fake" Waterman pens actually existed in Italy at the time. The brand was so famous and successful ( ...and the public sometimes so gullible, too!) that many shrewd manufacturers camouflaged their "cheap" safeties with overlay to look like Watermans; brands like "Watterman", "Wasserman" or "Waitermass" were specifically designed to fool the public.
It is however true that the patterns used on many Waterman overlays were not always exclusive: many pens of various brands exist which wear exactly the same overlay as Waterman models. Generally, the workshop entrusted with the production of Waterman overlays worked for many contractors and used the most fashionable designs according to its customers' requests or even produced its own brand of pens. This is the reason why we can find correctly hallmarked (and fully original) Waterman pens which are absolutely identical to i.e. Kawecos, Europas, Universals etc. They all originated from the same workshop.

Between 1931 and 1932, the General Agency for Waterman pens was tranferred to the F.lli Cavaliere Company (Milan); this company was well known in Italy at the time as one of the best and more qualitative manufacturer of precious metal overlays. The Company also produced its own brand of pens (both in celluloid and with overlay) and manufactured overlays on commision for a number of major brands.
The F.lli Cavaliere split in two branches: Mr. Aldo Cavaliere took care of the distribution of Waterman products, while his brother Carlo, was in charge of the production processes.

This was the first and only time that the General Agency for Waterman products and the production of metal overlays in Italy were managed by the same company. The F.lli Cavaliere catalogues of the '30s comprised over 200 different patterns of overlays, most of which could be had both in solid gold (14 carat) or rolled gold ( 18 K.R.). Enamel decoration or cabouchon stones could be oredered to further enrich the patterns.
It is not precisely known when and why the production of overlays for Waterman pens was transferred from the F.lli Cavaliere Company to Montegrappa. Many Waterman pens of the late 30s/early 40s show in fact, along with the traditional Waterman hallmarks, also the Montegrappa logo ( A capital "M" on topo of a capital "G"): the overlays of these years tend to be simpler than in the past: whole high-relief decorations become less usual to the advantage of guilloché patterns or inaly designs. Cabouchon stones, floral bands on the cap and the barrel very often embellish the decoration; clips can be extremely rich with insert stones , too, or fancifully shaped.

Waterman pens with Italian overlays are mainly 18 K.R. (rolled gold) or solid 14 ct. gold; silver overlays are extremely rare and, in most cases they were produced on commission or handcrafted by skilled goldsmiths. Most common models are safeties in the sizes: "42", "42 1/2", "42 1/2 V". Sizes like "44", "44 1/2", "44 1/2 V", "41", "41 1/2", "41 1/2 V" are much rarer and avidly sought after by most Italian collectors. Lever fillers with precious metal overaly also exist, mainly in the sizes "52" and "54".

Pens dating from the early '900s, can show, either a single-line imprint "Waterman 18 K.R." in capital letters on the turning knob or on the lower lip of the cap or a three-line imprint "Waterman Ideal Fountain Pen - 18 K.R." on the turning knob. If the turning knob is not covered, the imprint can be on the hard rubber and the overlay shows a small "18 K.R" hallmark.
From the '20s on, all Waterman overlays show the imprint with the small globe. It is not uncommon to find imprints where the globe is "incomplete", showing the lines of the poles but no meridians at all. The small "winged" CD hallmark was registered by Mr. D. Capra in 1931; it generally comes together with the Waterman imprint with the small globe.
Overlays produced by Montegrappa show the company's logo ( a triangular-shaped M on top of a G). It is not however unusual to find pens where the Montegrappa hallmark is coupled with the winged "CD" logo. Overlays produced on commission or designed by famous names sometimes carry the signature of the artist.

	Waterman in Italy
	Aurora's subbrands: OLO