Another Mabie Todd Question

[mandarintje]

I just won the following pen, and it sounds pretty good to me =) what are your thoughts?

I shall ask Fountainbel again for his expertise

I don't even know what kind of nib it has exactly, but how bad can it be?

Not sure if this image will work:-

http://i.ebayimg.com/05/!BvY,72Q!2k~$(KGrHqV,!i0Ev1+0F0GUBMEURGhCr!~~_12.JPG

 

THE BLACKBIRD PEN - 5242

 

MADE BY THE SWAN PEN PEOPLE

 

MABIE, TODD & CO LTD

 

SELF-FILLING PEN IN DARK BLUE MARBLE DESIGN

 

14 CT GOLD NIB

 

PEN HAS BEEN FOUND IN MY GRANDFATHERS BELONGING. IT IS IN ITS ORIGINAL BOX WITH THE ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONS. LOOKS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION BUT UNSURE IF IT WORKS OR NOT - OR IN FACT NOT SURE IF IT HAS EVER BEEN USED AT ALL. THE ENGRAVED WORDING ON THE SIDE IS STILL DEEP AND THERE ARE NO SCRATCHES OR MARKS ON THE BARREL OF THE PEN, OR THE CHROME OF THE PEN.

[karmakoda]

Nice Pen!

You have probably found a great little classic. It's a good colour, almost certainly celluloid, and Blackbirds have become very collectable.

The 14 Ct gold nib is also good news.

Congrats, and hope you show photos when you receive the pen.

Edited to add that it looks like a lever-fill, and you may have to replace the ink sac. This requires removing the nib, feed and section from the barrel. Someone who knows Mabie Todd will be able to help you through that process, if you have not done this before.

Because the pen is celluloid and other parts may be BHR, black hard rubber, be cautious when soaking or cleaning the pen. No hot water and no strong cleaning chemicals.

Good Luck

Edited June 18, 2010 by karmakoda

[mandarintje]

Thanks =)))

26 pounds I got it for ! I was quite astonished. First time I've seen one go so cheap, but in the last 8 seconds I placed my bid and won. Celluloid =) ahhh I've heard of this mysterious substance =)

[karmakoda]

That's quite a good buy, at about $38.00.

The box is in very good collectable condition, includes instructions, and the pen itself is one of the better looking Blackbirds.

The description states that the barrel imprints are deep and clear. If the rest of the pen is any indication, the 14 Ct nib should be intact, perhaps unused, and possibly flexible.

 

Looking forward to photos.

[sombrueil]

My Blackbird is one of my two favoritest pens. It's beautiful (red marble), reliable, smooth, and flexy! And I paid a lot more than you did. Enjoy your lovely pen.

[Strang]

I just received a Blackbird that looks nearly identical to yours. And it was such a wonderful surprise to find out that it is an excellent writer.

[mandarintje]

I'm disproportionately excited now =))))))

there was a picture with the nib but it wasn't very clear.... it was a leap of faith really =P

can't wait =)

Thanks for your help. I'll post pics once I get it =)

[Shangas]

My experiences with Blackbird pens have never been good, but maybe that's because I bought a dud. Hopefully you'll have better luck than I do! It looks like it's in mint condition.

[Marsilius]

Looks nice to me. Lucky dog you. I love my Mabie Todds. Not all have been in great shape, but not a bad price for a nice looking and hopefully nice-writing pen.

Best,

Mars

[Hugh200au]

Blackbird was the third line of Mabie Todd, the reality is it was a relatively cheap pen when new (no cap band, plain trim etc) but with enough quality to probably put it at the top of the third tier/bottom second tier. It should (if the nib is okay) be a decent (dare say good) writer, Mabie Todd excelled with nibs and made the best user pens of all the English makers . It may also have a section theaded into the barrel rather than a friction fit, but I'm not sure on that, if it needs resacing. Basically a good durable pen.

 

Regards

Hugh

[sombrueil]

Blackbird was the third line of Mabie Todd, the reality is it was a relatively cheap pen when new (no cap band, plain trim etc) but with enough quality to probably put it at the top of the third tier/bottom second tier. It should (if the nib is okay) be a decent (dare say good) writer, Mabie Todd excelled with nibs and made the best user pens of all the English makers . It may also have a section theaded into the barrel rather than a friction fit, but I'm not sure on that, if it needs resacing. Basically a good durable pen.

 

Regards

Hugh

 

I was of the understanding that it was the middle one: Swan was the top of the line, Blackbird the middle line with less trim, and Jackdaw was the student line. Correct me if I'm wrong . . .

 

My own Blackbird has simple trim (it does have a cap band), but it is quite a lovely writer, nothing second rate about it at all. I guess I don't know how this tier thing works anyway.

[Hugh200au]

Blackbird was the third line of Mabie Todd, the reality is it was a relatively cheap pen when new (no cap band, plain trim etc) but with enough quality to probably put it at the top of the third tier/bottom second tier. It should (if the nib is okay) be a decent (dare say good) writer, Mabie Todd excelled with nibs and made the best user pens of all the English makers . It may also have a section theaded into the barrel rather than a friction fit, but I'm not sure on that, if it needs resacing. Basically a good durable pen.

 

Regards

Hugh

 

I was of the understanding that it was the middle one: Swan was the top of the line, Blackbird the middle line with less trim, and Jackdaw was the student line. Correct me if I'm wrong . . .

 

My own Blackbird has simple trim (it does have a cap band), but it is quite a lovely writer, nothing second rate about it at all. I guess I don't know how this tier thing works anyway.

 

Swan. Swallow, Blackbird and Jackdaw. Four lines to cover different price points, from a manufacturers point you don't make the cheaper lines to the same standard as your flagship line.

 

Regards

Hugh

[mandarintje]

It has arrived =) the lever is stiff, presumably the original sac is inside and hardenned... expected.

It looks absolutely untouched, unused. Mint. The body of it looks like abalone or mother of pearl..... it's quite amazing!

so how old do you think it is? and what sort of value? =) I think it's a good deal for 26 pounds =)

 

The nib is very flexy ! and smooth even without ink. Can't wait to get the new sac in it! off to message Fountainbel right now...

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/DSC00768.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/DSC00767.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/DSC00766.jpg

[sombrueil]

It has arrived =) the lever is stiff, presumably the original sac is inside and hardenned... expected.

It looks absolutely untouched, unused. Mint. The body of it looks like abalone or mother of pearl..... it's quite amazing!

so how old do you think it is? and what sort of value? =) I think it's a good deal for 26 pounds =)

 

The nib is very flexy ! and smooth even without ink. Can't wait to get the new sac in it! off to message Fountainbel right now...

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/DSC00768.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/DSC00767.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/DSC00766.jpg

 

 

oooh! oooh! want!

[Bo Bo Olson]

I was watching that, in Swan is my next area. I want some flexible nibs, and Swan is perhaps the only affordable ones.

[dlmoak]

For clarification, the Swallow was only made in the U.S. The Blackbird, with one exception, was only made in the U.K.

[zutalors]

What a lovely pen! I bought a rekitted Swan, but your pen is much more beautiful. One thing I love about my Swan is the flexible nib. After trying it I would almost rather not write with any other. I note that many people comment about the wonderful nibs on the Mabie Todd pens so it will be interesting to know whether yours gives you the same pleasure.

[dlmoak]

Just for the record, Swallows were made only in the U.S. and Blackbirds, with the exception of a hard rubber model during WWI, were made only in the U.K. The Blackbird and the Leverless are my favorites of the U.K.- made Mabie Todds.

[Marsilius]

It has arrived =) the lever is stiff, presumably the original sac is inside and hardenned... expected.

It looks absolutely untouched, unused. Mint. The body of it looks like abalone or mother of pearl..... it's quite amazing!

so how old do you think it is? and what sort of value? =) I think it's a good deal for 26 pounds =)

 

The nib is very flexy ! and smooth even without ink. Can't wait to get the new sac in it! off to message Fountainbel right now...

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/DSC00768.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/DSC00767.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/DSC00766.jpg

 

That is beautiful. Be careful in dark alleys . . .