Enough Interest In Mabie Todd, Swan Or Otherwise?

[Goudy]

From the admin reply in another thread, it sounds like the dedicated subforums are really only for pen companies that still exist and still produce modern pens.

[Cob]

I think after all the "fuss" a simple British pens forum is sufficient. Being bi-continental MT does create an issue in this context. I doubt an MT forum would generate enough posting to be worthwhile.

That doesn't seem to bother anyone when including Parker and Waterman's does it? USA/Canada/GB/France...

 

Anyway despite its most honourable American Origins, Mabie Todd was in the end wholly British and certainly mainly British from about 1931.

 

Cob

Edited April 5, 2015 by Cob

[Goudy]

Another Swan poster up on eBay.

 

This one's a caption competition:

 

http://i.imgur.com/XoAFacX.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Nme8zXz.jpg

 

My entry: "Finally, a decent pen. Now I can get rid of that crappy Montblanc."

[Cob]

Oh yes Goudy, I was watching it - and have bid...

 

Madness, but have got the other one for peanuts I suppose I might be able to splash out.

 

Cob

[Greenie]

Funny. I almost bought that pen! Beautiful color. I was wondering how hard it would be to replace the clip when someone, apparentlt you, snatched it up. So, there is at least one more Swan afficionado who likes this pen even with the flaw.

[Cob]

That's a very pretty pen; 58 is listed as Marine Bronze - a pattern that has escaped me: 57, 59, 63 and 64 yes but never 58!.

 

It's a shame about the nib: the nibs with the Swan around the breather hole are 1950s and the pen is early thirties. Being stamped H the nib might be quite firm. No-one has explained the significance of the letters. I once had a Blackbird nib stamped G which was delightful. I have seen D but not tried one. Still, it's not too difficult to find Swan 2 nibs.

 

As for the clip, I have done that job several times - but only once or twice on the pens that do not have the screw at the top of the pen - e.g. SF230. It's a fairly miserable fiddly pain in the neck.

 

Clips like that are not easily found and are expensive when they do turn up. You might want to send me a PM.

 

Incidentally today I received a Swan 100, possibly older than yours I think but I cannot be sure. Mine is stamped "The Swan Pen" on the barrel. The Swan appears on the cap and underneath him badly stamped, the number 100.

 

Cob

[Goudy]

The letters usually (only?) appear on nibs with "14C-585" (for 58.5% gold content) written under the letter. G was used by Onoto to denote extra-flexible, as mentioned in some of their ads, and perhaps it meant the same for Mabie Todd. There's a theory that it means "Gregg shorthand" - but that seems odd on a pen for the UK market. Why not P for "Pitman"?

 

I did try to start a thread on this subject but it didn't get any answers.

[Cob]

I have a Swan 3H with the Swan around the breather which is pretty firm - that is, it is mildly flexible.

 

Your nib may be very nice to use

 

The letters usually (only?) appear on nibs with "14C-585" (for 58.5% gold content) written under the letter. G was used by Onoto to denote extra-flexible, as mentioned in some of their ads, and perhaps it meant the same for Mabie Todd. There's a theory that it means "Gregg shorthand" - but that seems odd on a pen for the UK market. Why not P for "Pitman"?

 

I did try to start a thread on this subject but it didn't get any answers.

I'm really sorry that your thread did not get taken up; it's a fascinating topic - and another reminder of how frustrating loss of records and data is.

 

Cob

[pen2paper]

I now see why my small gathering of ringtops has no MT - though I was trying at one time.

Thanks for sharing your photos.

The celluloids are gorgeous!

 

Thinking one reason for global forums is to connect the missing dots (and parts) of history. Post photos of frankenpens, detailing the necessary parts (by year/model) to make them whole?

 

With your interest this could be the root of "MT/S in UK" ?

[Cepasaccus]

The harder the nib is, the more gold you get!

 

But don't think the nib is to hard. I like the swan on the nib.

[Cob]

When the pen gets to me I will be able to compare to the Swan 100. I do get the sinking feeling from this thread that I have made something of an error in going for this SM2/58. Oh well, it wouldn't be the first disaster that I have walked into, and I daresay it won't be the last.

A SM2/58 is a pretty rare pen - and as we all agree here, very beautiful.

 

It is not the end of the world - far from it in fact - that provided that barrel and cap are in good condition, nice imprints etc., then that pen can be restored to pristine condition - and made to write as you want it to.

 

Once again I think that Mabie Todd had some of the most wonderful materials; of course as I said earlier I haven't a 58 sadly, but here are three together: 57 Blue-bronze, 59 Italian Marble and 63 Russet Jade.

 

Cob

 

Edited April 9, 2015 by Cob

[parilla]

I wonder why we can't buy pens with such wonderful colours today? Has the art of making the material been lost? Too expensive?

 

[Cepasaccus]

Colors like that are, I believe, only possible with celluloid. Celluloid is due to its flammability not a preferred material at the moment. I believe some Italian pen makers still work a bit with this material. The next best material is probably cellulose acetate.

[Happy Harry]

That doesn't seem to bother anyone when including Parker and Waterman's does it? USA/Canada/GB/France...

 

Anyway despite its most honourable American Origins, Mabie Todd was in the end wholly British and certainly mainly British from about 1931.

 

Cob

 

True, in that context it's not an issue. I've always thought of Mabie Todd as British despite it's origins.

[Cepasaccus]

For me it is a mixed company. I have N.Y. pens and England pens.

[rivermaze]

Either British or American (and Canadian), after reading about these pens on goodwriterspens.com, I'd love to see a separate forum too.

[Cob]

For me it is a mixed company. I have N.Y. pens and England pens.

Quite so, it was. However, the assets were acquired by Mabie Todd & Co Ltd, London established in 1914. This company acquired all the assets in January 1916, the agreement having been concluded the previous month.

 

However the American company did continue and indeed I understand that all Mabie Todd nibs were manufactured in the USA up to 1931. It would seem that the American arm failed to prosper in the tough depression era in the USA.; the final incarnation of Mabie Todd USA was wound up in 1941.

 

Cob

Edited April 12, 2015 by Cob

[Cob]

I ma very pleased to have a really old Mabie Todd: in fact a Mabie Todd & Bard eye-dropper. It's delightful and in surprisingly good order. Mabie Todd & Bard ceased to exist in 1907, being replaced by Mabie Todd & Co. From what I have read I believe that my pen is one of the earliest Swans, made between 1889 and 1895. I writes really nicely and it does not leak, a testimony to the build quality to be found in Swans from the start, over 120 years ago.

 

Cob

 

 

[Cepasaccus]

It is said, that the Swan name was introduced 1895. So it should be later than that, perhaps "around 1900". To me it looks like a 3012 Pocket Pen. My Bard 3012 is capped 132 mm long and has a diameter of 8.7mm. It is a great writer! Unfortunately I do not trust the pen to be leak-proof. So I won't carry this Pocket Pen in my pocket. I have also a non-Bard 3012 with box and WWI medals from the pen owner.

 

Some photos of the Bard 3012 here:

http://www.penexchange.de/forum_neu/viewtopic.php?p=85706#p85706

http://www.penexchange.de/forum_neu/viewtopic.php?p=85875#p85875

http://www.penexchange.de/forum_neu/viewtopic.php?p=101200#p101200

 

I used it to sign at the notary once.

 

Cepasaccus, who didn't get the blue-bronze Blackbird today

[Greenie]

Cepasaccus,

 

You MUST try harder and buy a BB 2/46

It is a Swan in almost every way. The quality and beauty is that of a Swan. Only the words on the section, feed, nib, clip make it a Blackbird. And mine has a wonderfully flexible nib as well.