Mabie Todd - 1904 Sterling Silver Ringtop - Info?

[mandarintje]

Dear FPNers

 

I have just bought this fascinating looking sterling silver ringtop Mabie Todd

http://i.ebayimg.com/12/!Bz2!!owB2k~$(KGrHqQOKjIE)N2fDhqdBM()LkwP2!~~_12.JPG

 

The description says:

Rare Ladder Feed

Super Flexible nib

Written on bottom of pen: Swan safety screw cap Pat July, 5.04 Mabie Todd and Co N.Y Sterling silver

 

Anything more you could tell me, I'd be very grateful for!

Example the value, age, how rare it is, how to fill it (!!)

 

Many thanks!

Edit, the rather large clue about the age seems to be accurate....1904. I've just seen a poster here and the nib seems to be the same sort of design =)

 

I'm thinking excitedly that I picked up a good thing =)))))) it was a vicious last minute attack on ebay that almost went awry when I lost connection at 8 seconds to go. The adrenaline! OMG!

Edited August 16, 2010 by mandarintje

[hawkgnat]

Its going to be a bit later than 1904. Notice yours is Mabie Todd and Co, while the poster is Mabie, Todd and Bard.

[mandarintje]

ahaa a piece of the jigsaw puzzle...thanks =) I see.... Bard left in 1906 (according to http://members.multimania.co.uk/andrewbrooks86/mabie-todd_swan.htm)

Edited August 16, 2010 by mandarintje

[dlmoak]

ahaa a piece of the jigsaw puzzle...thanks =) I see.... Bard left in 1906

 

Actually, Bard left in 1900 - the name of the company changed in 1907. The 1904 patent refers to the screw cap, which eventually replaced the slip cap. Safety refers to the same thing. The screw on cap wouldn't come off like a slip cap could. These pens were introduced c. 1910. MT didn't introduce lever fillers until c. 1918 and they continued to make eyedroppers after that date, so your pen dates to 1910 at the oldest.

[mandarintje]

I have some more photos =)

Your opinions are really welcome! I'd really like to know more about this pen.

What is the funky thing that sticks out of the nib? some kind of feed extension? and is it really necessary?

 

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/ringtop%20MT/pen.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/ringtop%20MT/ringtop.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/ringtop%20MT/nib3.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/ringtop%20MT/nib2.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/ringtop%20MT/nib.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/ringtop%20MT/feed.jpg

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/ringtop%20MT/end.jpg

[dlmoak]

 

What is the funky thing that sticks out of the nib? some kind of feed extension? and is it really necessary?

It was advertised as a "Gold Top" feed. It was designed to smooth the ink flow. I don't know whether it improves the flow or not, but Mabie Todd thought enough of it to use it for a few years. I've always left them in place on the pens that had them. It was also introduced c. 1910. You could always buy my book on Mabie Todd and have answers to other questions that may come up.

[mandarintje]

Thanks =)

I see your book =) and this very one is on page 119, 2nd from the bottom =)

[Shangas]

A friend of mine called the metal things on top of the nibs metal overfeeds, so I assume they have some function in improving inkflow.

 

It's a beautiful pen

[mandarintje]

Thanks Shangas

I realised I have some dip pens with this kind of overfeed... and I wonder if it has more functionality for dipping rather than when it's filled. I'm probably wrong but I was thinking it would be good when you run out of ink =P

[raigne]

If you're talking about dip nibs with a reservoir... the thing on top of the nib of a dip pen is meant to retain ink. Which I suppose would produce a more consistent flow, but it more so you don't have to dip quite as much.

[mandarintje]

Thanks Raigne

I see the point of it now!

 

So the nib and the overfeed were a little floppy and it leaked ink from where the feed/nib joined the section. So I took it to my always dependable friend Fountainbel to take a look at it and make it a workable pen for me.

 

In just a few days (as you can see), I have it back and he's not only fixed it but transformed it!

 

- the tines of the nib were a bit overlapped and it made clickety sounds when I wrote with it

- the overfeed was flopping around any old place

- there was a leak

- there was a sizable nick out of the bit near the nib (is that called the section?)

 

He fixed all of the above! .....AND he made an O-ring to fit in the thread, and so I don't even need silicon grease anymore! it is completely sealed and much more user friendly. Actually it takes 2 converters of ink (converters from Pilot Parallel pens, it was the only thing I had handy to fill an eyedropper).

 

The result is...I see why the overfeed...it is absolutely brilliant for flex writing. I can actually write quite fast and still maintain excellent ink flow. Fine to very broad line variation..... much smoother than before, and much more reliable.

 

Excellent work! restored, and with a 21st century improvement =)

 

Thanks a lot Fountainbel!!!!

 

 

Still I'd like more info on this pen if you have it.... it's seeming quite rare and unique =))))))

Thanks

[Shangas]

Depending on the size, it's either a lady's pen or a vest-pocket pen. Vest-pocket pen if three inches long. Lady's pen if over four inches long.

 

The ring was used to thread a ribbon through so that ladies could wear these pens around their necks, or so that they could be clipped to a double-albert watch-chain and worn with a waistcoat by men. Like mine, here:

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Watch%20Photographs/dchain.jpg

[mandarintje]

Shangas! I love it!!!!! I need a pocket watch immediately.

I happened to have a tape measure about my person, even at 1:30 am..... and it is 3 1/2 inches / 9cm

[Shangas]

It's a vest-pocket pen, traditionally used as you see above in my photo.

[mandarintje]

Thanks Shangas =)

I'm a very proud owner (as your signature says...and also will be visiting the Anne Frank house next month).

 

Can you tell me anything about the age of yours?

[Shangas]

Mine is a Wahl Art Deco. 14kt gold-filled with a 'Greek Key' pattern on the barrel and cap. It's a lever-filler from ca. 1925. It is *just* over 3.5 inches long.

[mandarintje]

It's a beautiful specimen, I hope you tuck it in bed every night

Thanks for your help again

 

Now time for sleep, I'm up way past my bedtime *narcolepsy*

[Shangas]

You're welcome, Mandy.

[mandarintje]

Just wanted to show you the visible work that Francis (Fountainbel) did to this pen for me =) taking away that nasty chunk out of it.....

Before:http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/ringtop%20MT/nib2.jpg

After: http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab338/mandarintje/ringtop%20MT/DSC01149.jpg

 

Very flexible, very nice writer... my best flex

(edit: I'm not really flexing it in that picture to its full ability =)

Edited September 1, 2010 by mandarintje