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Sweet Little Swan...

missuslovett

By missuslovett
in Mabie Todd Research/Special Interest Forum/Group

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missuslovett Rare

missuslovett

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Can anyone help me with this sweet little New York Mabie Todd? It's a self filler, a lovely toffee swirl with a kinky clip. It's somewhat truncated (on purpose? a clutch pen?) with the usual barrel markings, though no numbers. It has a No. 4 New York nib, semi flex at a push but a nice smooth writer, very fine. Has anyone got the goss on this little fella?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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missuslovett Rare

missuslovett

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Thanks for that link. I know there are a few arrow clips knocking about and I must try to track down more...

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Cob Collectors Item

Cob

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I think tthat that pen dates from the mid-1930s. Does it have the stamping Mabie Todd & Co New York?

 

The New York operation packed up in 1938, after that the company operated from New Jersey until 1941.

 

My book "Mabie in America" has a number of pictures of pens with identical clips to yours, dating from 1936/7.

 

Rgds

 

Cob

fpn_1428963683__6s.jpg “The pen of the British Empire” fpn_1423349537__swan_sign_is.jpg


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missuslovett Rare

missuslovett

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Thanks for this Cob. It does indeed have the New York stamp and I'm pretty sure the nib is original. I've seen a few others with similar clips that have nibs ranging from 4 to 6. It looks so cute next to my big old /62. I'm a sucker for pretty colours.

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Cob Collectors Item

Cob

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That clip shape and indeed the entire form of the pen was not unique to Mabie Todd in the USA in the 1930s.

 

Here's a snap of my pen, stamped Gargoyle Marine Oils (irresistible). I happen to know that this pen was manufactured by Byers & Hayes of New York. It had a horrid nail of a nib stamped "Hayes" which I broke whilst exploring its lack of flexibility.

 

fpn_1466197351__gargoyle.jpg

 

Now it is fitted with a glorious Swan 3 broad stub - hurrah!

 

Rgds

 

Cob

Edited by Cob

fpn_1428963683__6s.jpg “The pen of the British Empire” fpn_1423349537__swan_sign_is.jpg


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Greenie

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Just back from vacation (or "holiday" if you prefer...)

 

The 1930s American Swans and Swallows look like this and generally have no model numbers.

 

MarcShiman is a big collector of these and takes a particular interest in them.

https://www.facebook.com/Swanpens/

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missuslovett Rare

missuslovett

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I was a bit surprised that you put it up for sale, missuslovett. Thought it may have been a keeper. :)

 

 

Ah, would that it were, would that it were ...(ref lost on non UK residents and probably a few of them as well). I bought this little tyke from a US dealer - no names, no pack drill - who, when I asked "Is the nib flexible?" replied, "Yes.". Can you see what he did there?

 

I was certainly hoping to find a home for it among my other Swans but I know I'll hardly use it. Most of my collection gets pulled out to play when I'm writing and practising my calligraphy. Never mind. Hopefully someone else can give it the attention it deserves.

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