Help dating Mabie Todd & Co. NY dip pen

[umenohana]

Here are the photos of the new edition to the family-- But I guess it's the oldest. Can anyone tell me exactly how old it is?

 

-Hana

wbox

Edited October 27, 2006 by umenohana

[umenohana]

The "313" nib.

313nib

[umenohana]

The box is in good shape!

boxlabel

[umenohana]

Here it is, together with my first FP, also a Mabie Todd. (Recently came back from Richard Binder's care--I will do a review shortly.)

togetherwruler

[Johnny Appleseed]

Well, according to info at David Nishimura's web site, Mabie Todd and Co. Started in New York in 1860, and in 1873 turned into Mabie Todd and Bard. However, they reverted to Mabie Todd and Co. in 1907. It is tempting to assume that your pen was in the 1860-1873 range, as dip pens were more popular then. However, in the scans of the Baird-North catalogs I have posted, there are Aikin -Lambert dip pens being sold up through 1915.

 

David Moak made a CD called "Mabie in America" which covers a lot of the early history of Mabie Todd and it's various configurations. There might be some info in there. You might also get an opinion out of him or David Nishimura (VintagePens) if you emailed them.

 

Link to VintagePens.com article Mabie, Todd & Co.

[umenohana]

Maybe I should have posted this under Pen History.

 

I will ask Mr. Nishimura, thanks Johnny Appleseed!

 

-Hana

[umenohana]

Here's a writing sample.

 

Nib: Mabie Todd 313

Ink: MB Bordeaux

Paper: Clairefontaine

[umenohana]

And here's a close up:

[Rabbit]

That looks incredible, Hana! The pen is nice, and you are able to get it to do wonderful things--congratulations on your e-bay find!

 

--Stephen

[umenohana]

Since my writing is kinda wispy, here's the transcript:

 

Mabie Todd & Co.

-313-

I bought this on e-Bay for fifty-one

dollars. The photos were very fuzzy, but

I had this gut feeling that it was "the One,"

so I went ahead and got it.

This pen, I believe, is what is called

a "superflex." It produces swells, even with

my delicate touch. I don't think my casual

writing shows just how flexible it is, so here

are some line width variation samples:

____: thinnest

____:thickest

 

its hairlines

are thinner than

my hairs for sure.

 

Hana.

[umenohana]

That looks incredible, Hana! The pen is nice, and you are able to get it to do wonderful things--congratulations on your e-bay find!

 

--Stephen

Thank you! I can't believe how lucky I was.. I was willing to go search around eBay for more superflex, superfine dip pens, but I don't think I need to anymore. This is the dip pen. So smooth, too!

 

-Hana

[saintsimon]

Wonderfull pens and writing - but your MB bordeaux looks much more purplish than my red brick experience :blink:

[umenohana]

Wonderfull pens and writing - but your MB bordeaux looks much more purplish than my red brick experience :blink:

What color do you get when you do swabs? I get a beautiful old rose color..

 

-Hana

[umenohana]

I checked out David Moak's site, but the site seems to be in ruins, and I'm hesitant about placing an order for a CD.

 

I've contacted D. Nishimura, but so far, no reply.

 

Same goes for whoever made this Mabie Todd site.

 

 

-Hana

[kissing]

Your penmanship is to die for

[umenohana]

Thank you, kissing.

 

-Hana

[saintsimon]

Wonderfull pens and writing - but your MB bordeaux looks much more purplish than my red brick experience  :blink:

What color do you get when you do swabs? I get a beautiful old rose color..

 

-Hana

Sorry, Hana, I've to find the MB Bordeaux carts package again, which bought to try the colour. Don't know where I put them

 

The lill' swab I made some time ago from one cart is definitely not rose colour, rather red wine (Bordeaux ...) or red brick colour, somewhat lighter than Swisher Burgundy.

[Cjayant]

Here's a writing sample.

 

Nib: Mabie Todd 313

Ink: MB Bordeaux

Paper: Clairefontaine

 

Beautiful writing Hana!!

Amazing,

 

I love Mabie Todds pens and last week I bought a Mabie Todd Dip Pen. Unfortunately it is missing the nib.

I am planning to use a substitute nib and this pen is with a pencil and combination. It is beautiful and amazing.

[Cjayant]

Hello there Hena!

I can't see the picture of the pen .

What is it look like the 313 Pen nib?

 

I am looking for an extra Pen nib for my dip pen too.

 

I have several vintage did pens too and planing to use one from those pen temporarily. That is my plan!

Thank you if you could show another pen photo of this wonderful writing sample. It is truely beautiful !!

[sidthecat]

I have a Mabie Todd dip nib (a #4) reposing in a black Doric ringtop. It writes a real treat.