Maker: Waterman.
I frequently start these descriptions with a reference to the pen’s place in the line-up, whether high or low. Looking at the catalogues that include Citations, I find that it shares what I am irresistably drawn to call a broad plateau somewhat above the middle of their line-up; there are several different models of the same cost. Unlike the rosters offered by Sheaffer and Parker at about the same time, which have a very clear set of stages from bottom to top, Waterman appears to have an unfocussed clump of broad-appeal diversity, with some trailing tendrils of popular inexpensive pens to one side and extravagant all-gold confections to the other. I take this as an indication of the economic malfunction of the company that would presently scuttle its US operations.
The Citation looks like it should be a high-end, or at least upper-middle class, pen. The breadth of the band is the sort of thing that other makers would have used to elevate a model, and it is generally well appointed. The rivet which holds the clip in place does not have the after-thought look that it takes on in some models.
In England, this pen was apparently better known by its model number.
Production Run: c. 1943 – c. 1951 (available with Taperite section from 1945, and that may actually be the start of the model).
Cost When New: $8.75 (for modern value, try this calculator).
Size: Taperite- 13.4 cm long capped, 15.7 cm posted, 12.4 cm uncapped.
Point: 14k gold.
Body: Plastic.
Filler: Lever, capacity approx. 1.1 ml
Waterman Citation Taperite. One of the advantages of Waterman’s version of trend-following is that the Taperite points have room to be flexible; this one certainly is.
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