Fountain Pen News - In 1880

September 6, 2019

From The American Bookseller.

Feb 15:

"The new calligraphic pen offered to the trade by Mabie, Todd & Bard, is reported one of the best yet brought out. It is different from others in that it has two points instead of one, thus being more like an ordinary pen, and allowing the writer to make light or heavy lines at pleasure. The demand for these goods far exceeds the supply, some of the manufacturers having standing orders by the gross ahead. Several other pen manufacturers are working out new ideas for fountain pens, and ere long we shall doubtless have variety enough from which to select a pen just to one's taste. Some of those now on the market are poor affairs, and many have cast them aside as entirely worthless."

From May 15

"A fountain pen that will really do the work required of an article of that character appears at last to have been produced. So much fault has been found with all that have been offered heretofore, that the writing public will be pleased to learn that Messrs. Edward Todd & Co. will be ready to supply an article they will guarantee in every respect as far ahead of anything in the market, and from the encomiums already received from those who have examined it, there is no doubt of its perfection. It is different from all others in several respects. Instead of making the usual monotonous and uniform stroke, it can be used for light or heavy lines, like the ordinary quill or gold pen, never drops any ink, can be filled direct from the inkstand without a filler, and will carry enough to last longer than any other we have seen. These advantages will be readily apparent to every penman, and orders are being received in advance from dealers in the principle cities."