I must also note that this really has nothing to do with my appreciation of the pen, and is only down to curiosity. The Swan has a gorgeous, broad, stubbish, flexible, wet nib that would have made it worth the price no matter what!
Full Version: Mabie Todd and pen materials
I recently acquired a Swan SW200/60 pen, which the seller claimed was made c.1937. The pen is made from black celluloid plastic with a wavy guilloche pattern. When I first got the pen I had some doubts as to its age, mainly because it looks so new. This got me to wondering: when did Mabie Todd start to manufacture pens from celluloid plastic? I have a Blackbird made from what appears to me to be the same material, but which is much later. Can my Swan really be from 1937?
I must also note that this really has nothing to do with my appreciation of the pen, and is only down to curiosity. The Swan has a gorgeous, broad, stubbish, flexible, wet nib that would have made it worth the price no matter what!
I must also note that this really has nothing to do with my appreciation of the pen, and is only down to curiosity. The Swan has a gorgeous, broad, stubbish, flexible, wet nib that would have made it worth the price no matter what!
QUOTE(Inkling @ Apr 24 2008, 05:22 AM) [snapback]589275[/snapback]
I recently acquired a Swan SW200/60 pen, which the seller claimed was made c.1937. The pen is made from black celluloid plastic with a wavy guilloche pattern. When I first got the pen I had some doubts as to its age, mainly because it looks so new. This got me to wondering: when did Mabie Todd start to manufacture pens from celluloid plastic? I have a Blackbird made from what appears to me to be the same material, but which is much later. Can my Swan really be from 1937?
I must also note that this really has nothing to do with my appreciation of the pen, and is only down to curiosity. The Swan has a gorgeous, broad, stubbish, flexible, wet nib that would have made it worth the price no matter what!
I must also note that this really has nothing to do with my appreciation of the pen, and is only down to curiosity. The Swan has a gorgeous, broad, stubbish, flexible, wet nib that would have made it worth the price no matter what!
Yup....it sure can. As early as the beginning of the 1930's Swan started to make "plastic" pens. As a matter of fact,some of their
most beautiful colors were made at that time.BTW,your 200/60 code refers to "model type(w/cap ring/band setup)/color code".
John
QUOTE(sumgaikid @ Apr 24 2008, 12:03 PM) [snapback]589284[/snapback]
QUOTE(Inkling @ Apr 24 2008, 05:22 AM) [snapback]589275[/snapback]
I recently acquired a Swan SW200/60 pen, which the seller claimed was made c.1937. The pen is made from black celluloid plastic with a wavy guilloche pattern. When I first got the pen I had some doubts as to its age, mainly because it looks so new. This got me to wondering: when did Mabie Todd start to manufacture pens from celluloid plastic? I have a Blackbird made from what appears to me to be the same material, but which is much later. Can my Swan really be from 1937?
I must also note that this really has nothing to do with my appreciation of the pen, and is only down to curiosity. The Swan has a gorgeous, broad, stubbish, flexible, wet nib that would have made it worth the price no matter what!
I must also note that this really has nothing to do with my appreciation of the pen, and is only down to curiosity. The Swan has a gorgeous, broad, stubbish, flexible, wet nib that would have made it worth the price no matter what!
Yup....it sure can. As early as the beginning of the 1930's Swan started to make "plastic" pens. As a matter of fact,some of their
most beautiful colors were made at that time.BTW,your 200/60 code refers to "model type(w/cap ring/band setup)/color code".
John
Cheers for that!
Sig
Is there a place where the Mabie Todd coding system is revealed?
QUOTE(Inkling @ Apr 24 2008, 04:22 AM) [snapback]589275[/snapback]
I recently acquired a Swan SW200/60 pen, which the seller claimed was made c.1937. The pen is made from black celluloid plastic with a wavy guilloche pattern. When I first got the pen I had some doubts as to its age, mainly because it looks so new. This got me to wondering: when did Mabie Todd start to manufacture pens from celluloid plastic? I have a Blackbird made from what appears to me to be the same material, but which is much later. Can my Swan really be from 1937?
I must also note that this really has nothing to do with my appreciation of the pen, and is only down to curiosity. The Swan has a gorgeous, broad, stubbish, flexible, wet nib that would have made it worth the price no matter what!
I must also note that this really has nothing to do with my appreciation of the pen, and is only down to curiosity. The Swan has a gorgeous, broad, stubbish, flexible, wet nib that would have made it worth the price no matter what!
I have a gray plastic Swan made in 1949
The first use of cellulose nitrate and caisein based plastics for pens was in roughly 1921-1922. By 1929, celluloid was probably the rule rather than the exception. HR hung on longer in the UK and with Waterman (because they bought their hard-rubber supplier in the mid 20s, just as celluloid was taking off), but by the 30s Celluloid was the norm.
I don't know much about Swans specifically, but there is no reason to doubt a 1930s date for celluloid plastics.
Also, since they don't fade, a chased celluloid will often look "newer" than it's HR counterpart.
John
I don't know much about Swans specifically, but there is no reason to doubt a 1930s date for celluloid plastics.
Also, since they don't fade, a chased celluloid will often look "newer" than it's HR counterpart.
John
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