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What Can You Tell Me About This Pen?

Aus_FP_Enthusiast

By Aus_FP_Enthusiast
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Aus_FP_Enthusiast NOS (New Old Stock)

Aus_FP_Enthusiast

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Hi all,

 

I've been offered this Mabie Todd Swan self-filling pen.

 

Could anyone please advise the age and model of this pen, along with any specific things to look out for when buying?

 

These are the only pictures I have, but I know there aren't any cracks in the cap.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Cheers

BP

post-131273-0-68491200-1495257050_thumb.jpeg

post-131273-0-31430100-1495257089_thumb.jpeg

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Greenie

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Could you also post a picture of the nib and feed? Is it an eyedropper, or is there a lever?

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Aus_FP_Enthusiast NOS (New Old Stock)

Aus_FP_Enthusiast

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Greenie,
Unfortunately I don't have any more pictures of the pen right now. I'll post some more tomorrow.

 

Empty_Of_Clouds,
Thank you for your comment. If I look very closely at the picture of the pen, I think I can just see the lever...

 

Is there some sort of numbering system Mabie Todd used for the nibs of these pens to denote the flexibility or type of nib, e.g. stub?

Cheers

BP

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Cob

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Yes, EoC and Greenie have covered this. As for the nibs, there was only a size number stamped on the nibs. Yours will be a 2 (there were a 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 plus the huge Eternal 8).

 

A stub or oblique is easily identified by looking at the tips. If yours in an early example it may well have a Mabie Todd New York nib as it wasn't until into the 1920s that Mabie Todd England started the manufactiure of nibs. Many of these New York nibs are very nice indeed (that is if you like flexibility of course). I have recently acquired an Early SF2 (or it might be a New York made though English stamped 2-SF which is essentially the same thing!) with an interesting and rather rare nib: I thought it would be a stub, but in fact is actually a stub italic - very uncommon. I love stubs and italic nibs so am delighted with this one:

 

fpn_1495020293__sf2_broad_italic_stub.jp

 

I look forward to seeing more photographs of your Swan.

 

Cob

Edited by Cob

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


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Aus_FP_Enthusiast NOS (New Old Stock)

Aus_FP_Enthusiast

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Hi all,

 

Just got a picture of the nib.

 

No. 2, 14c gold as should be fitted.

 

Cheers

BP

post-131273-0-12423900-1495333127_thumb.jpeg

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Cob Collectors Item

Cob

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I cannot read the inscription on the nib. I can make out Swan. Does it read Mabie Todd & Co or Mabie Todd & Co Ltd?

 

If it is a New York nib it may well be a soft one - advance with cauiton if that is the case - they are very nice but require a light hand. If it is an English nib you should have no trouble. I would guess that it will be a flexible one.

 

Cob

Edited by Cob

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


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