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Bchr Mabie Todd Swan Self-Filler


eugenebeauxbuton

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Hey there... So I've been reading and reading about Mabie Todd and finally am about to pick one up. Would you be so kind as to help me with the dating of this lever-filler?

 

I was guessing 1920s but have no clue really and also had never seen a black lever on one of these before. Anyway... thanks in advance you guys!

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Current Collection:

 

1922 BCHR Waterman No. 52

1941 Parker Vacumatic Major (Canada)

1946 Parker Vacumatic Major (U.S.)

1957/8 Parker Duofold Maxima (U.K.)

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Hullo.

 

A very nice SM200/60 from the mid to late 1930s. typically for a Mabie Todd product, it is handsome, elegant and has a lovely nib. The BHR lever was a feature introduced on the Swan Minor pens which pre-date yours. The SM in the model name is a clue that yours was a continuation. However MT also used the black levers on some of the Snakeskin and Lizardskin models.

 

Well done.

 

Cob

Edited by Cob

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


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Hullo.

 

A very nice SM200/60 from the mid to late 1930s. typically for a Mabie Todd product, it is handsome, elegant and has a lovely nib. The BHR lever was a feature introduce on the Swan Moinor pens which pre-date yours. The SM in the model name is a clue that yours was a continuation. However MT also used the black levers on some of the Snakeskin and Lizardskin models.

 

Well done.

 

Cob

 

Cob!! Thanks for the insight, much appreciated.

 

Would this be a good daily writer? I wanted to get the most out of the semi-flex on this nib and am absolutely stoked to have this thing arrive in the next week or so.

Current Collection:

 

1922 BCHR Waterman No. 52

1941 Parker Vacumatic Major (Canada)

1946 Parker Vacumatic Major (U.S.)

1957/8 Parker Duofold Maxima (U.K.)

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Absolutely. Actually nib looks ratehr more than "semi-flex" to me.

 

I should have pointed out that this pen is not made from black chased hard rubber. Certianly it is chased, but it is made from Celluloid.

 

Cob

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


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Absolutely. Actually nib looks ratehr more than "semi-flex" to me.

 

I should have pointed out that this pen is not made from black chased hard rubber. Certianly it is chased, but it is made from Celluloid.

 

Cob

 

Huh didn't know that. Seems the seller didn't either! Oh well, very much enamored with it. And yeah it seems that he has a grading system that's placed this about 3-4 steps down from a wet noodle but also still rather flexy.

 

I can't wait to have it in my hands! I'll post a writing sample if I can make it look like it wasn't done by a 5 year old.

Current Collection:

 

1922 BCHR Waterman No. 52

1941 Parker Vacumatic Major (Canada)

1946 Parker Vacumatic Major (U.S.)

1957/8 Parker Duofold Maxima (U.K.)

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The Swan chased black celluloid are the only big name pens made in this material that I am aware of. They look like absolutely pristine new shiny BCHR pens, but won't discolor with sun or water like BCHR. And the black lever is a very nice touch. It is hard rubber however and can discolor if abused.

 

You will very likely enjoy the writing experience of the nib. The semi flex will make for a a great every day pen with a lot of expression in the writing.

 

Enjoy! Perhaps you will soon learn to love another bird - one more elegant than your current bird.

 

Bird compare/contrast

 

Swan poetry:

 

whistles of her wings
slicing through the cool waves
stillness of the swan

 

 

Pelikan poetry:

A wonderful bird is the pelican, His bill will hold more than his belican
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The Swan chased black celluloid are the only big name pens made in this material that I am aware of. They look like absolutely pristine new shiny BCHR pens, but won't discolor with sun or water like BCHR. And the black lever is a very nice touch. It is hard rubber however and can discolor if abused.

 

You will very likely enjoy the writing experience of the nib. The semi flex will make for a a great every day pen with a lot of expression in the writing.

 

Enjoy! Perhaps you will soon learn to love another bird - one more elegant than your current bird.

 

Bird compare/contrast

 

Swan poetry:

 

whistles of her wings

slicing through the cool waves

stillness of the swan

 

 

Pelikan poetry:

A wonderful bird is the pelican, His bill will hold more than his belican

 

 

 

What would lead to discoloration of that lever? Would like to avoid that at all costs!

 

Yeah I'm rather excited about this one. And I did own an M800 (modern) a few years back and really liked it a lot but have wanted to snag a vintage Pelikan from the 1940s/1950s. Any suggestions?

Current Collection:

 

1922 BCHR Waterman No. 52

1941 Parker Vacumatic Major (Canada)

1946 Parker Vacumatic Major (U.S.)

1957/8 Parker Duofold Maxima (U.K.)

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  • 9 months later...

 

Yeah I'm rather excited about this one. And I did own an M800 (modern) a few years back and really liked it a lot but have wanted to snag a vintage Pelikan from the 1940s/1950s. Any suggestions?

 

Hi,

 

What about a Pelikan 100N or 140?

 

https://www.pelikan-collectibles.com/en/Pelikan/Models/Historic-Pens/100N/index.html

https://www.pelikan-collectibles.com/en/Pelikan/Models/Revised-Piston-Fillers/140-Basis/index.html

 

Different style to a Swan SM200/60 (I have one, too - one of my favourite pens)

 

Best

Jens

.....................................................................................................

https://www.flickr.com/photos/136145166@N02/albums

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What would lead to discoloration of that lever? Would like to avoid that at all costs!

 

Yeah I'm rather excited about this one. And I did own an M800 (modern) a few years back and really liked it a lot but have wanted to snag a vintage Pelikan from the 1940s/1950s. Any suggestions?

Long overdue - no-one answered your question. To avoid discolouration, do not allow water to get near the lever (or the section for that matter) if it does get wet, dry it immediately. Light is also an enemy, but much less than water.

 

Cob

Edited by Cob

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


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