Mabie Todd Swan Visofil Photo Thread

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

 

Thought I would start a photo thread on the Mabie Todd Swan Visofil.

This is a Mabie Todd Swan Visofil VT 340 / 76 Green & Silver Pen c. 1937-1942. Mabie Todd introduced its ink visible barrel pen, the Visofil VT, in September 1937. The VT, while appearing similar to a Parker Vacumatic, operates without a blind cap, as the plunger retracts by unscrewing from the base of the barrel. Internally, the diaphragm system is designed differently than the Vacumatic, to accommodate the retractable plunger. Visofil VT pens were made with a celluloid cap and barrel in four colors: Black & Clear, Green & Silver, Ruby & Silver, and Black & Silver (or Grey). The cap and barrel end are matching opaque celluloid and the barrel center is transparent patterned celluloid. The cap top and barrel end cap have a slight pointed crown. The 5 1/16 inch long pen has gold filled trim, including several rings on the cap and barrel. The 14 karat gold Number 3 nib was available in all the Mabie Todd sizes and styles. Visofil VT pens are uncommon, likely due to the difficulty of repair.

http://penhero.com/Temp/SwanVisofilVTGreenSilver_1280_01.jpg

Thanks!

[amk]

That's a lovely pen. The contrast of the different patterned ends and barrel reminds me of the Waterman Ink-Vue and Edacoto Super 208 - there seems to have been quite a vogue for this styling, though the filling systems are quite different.

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Mabie Todd Swan VT 340 / 60 Black & Clear Pen c. 1937-1942. Mabie Todd introduced its ink visible barrel pen, the Visofil VT, in September 1937. The VT, while appearing similar to a Parker Vacumatic, operates without a blind cap, as the plunger retracts by unscrewing from the base of the barrel. Internally, the diaphragm system is designed differently than the Vacumatic, to accommodate the retractable plunger. Visofil VT pens were made with a celluloid cap and barrel in four colors: Black & Clear, Green & Silver, Ruby & Silver, and Black & Silver (or Grey). The cap and barrel end are matching opaque celluloid and the barrel center is transparent patterned celluloid. The cap top and barrel end cap have a slight pointed crown. The 5 1/16 inch long pen has gold filled trim, including several rings on the cap and barrel. The 14 karat gold Number 3 nib was available in all the Mabie Todd sizes and styles. Visofil VT pens are uncommon, likely due to the difficulty of repair.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SwanVisofilVTBlack_1280_01.jpg

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Mabie Todd Swan VT 340 / 78 Black & Silver pen c. 1937-1942. Mabie Todd introduced its ink visible barrel pen, the Visofil VT, in September 1937. The VT, while appearing similar to a Parker Vacumatic, operates without a blind cap, as the plunger retracts by unscrewing from the base of the barrel. Internally, the diaphragm system is designed differently than the Vacumatic, to accommodate the retractable plunger. Visofil VT pens were made with a celluloid cap and barrel in four colors: Black & Clear, Green & Silver, Ruby & Silver, and Black & Silver (or Grey). The cap and barrel end are matching opaque celluloid and the barrel center is transparent patterned celluloid. The cap top and barrel end cap have a slight pointed crown. The 5 1/16 inch long pen has gold filled trim, including several rings on the cap and barrel. The 14 karat gold Number 3 nib was available in all the Mabie Todd sizes and styles. Visofil VT pens are uncommon, likely due to the difficulty of repair.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SwanVisofilVTBlackSilver_1280_01.jpg

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Mabie Todd Swan Visofil VT 340 / 77 Ruby & Silver pen c. 1937-1942. Mabie Todd introduced its ink visible barrel pen, the Visofil VT, in September 1937. The VT, while appearing similar to a Parker Vacumatic, operates without a blind cap, as the plunger retracts by unscrewing from the base of the barrel. Internally, the diaphragm system is designed differently than the Vacumatic, to accommodate the retractable plunger. Visofil VT pens were made with a celluloid cap and barrel in four colors: Black & Clear, Green & Silver, Ruby & Silver, and Black & Silver (or Grey). The cap and barrel end are matching opaque celluloid and the barrel center is transparent patterned celluloid. The cap top and barrel end cap have a slight pointed crown. The 5 1/16 inch long pen has gold filled trim, including several rings on the cap and barrel. The 14 karat gold Number 3 nib was available in all the Mabie Todd sizes and styles. Visofil VT pens are uncommon, likely due to the difficulty of repair.

That's all the VT series pens. Will start posting the V Series next!

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SwanVisofilVTRubySilver_1280_01.jpg

Thanks!

[Azuniga]

I saw your beautiful Visofil pens, so I thought maybe it is a good time to show two of mine since I do not know nothing about their numbering, if they have any, so maybe I can learn something while waiting for the S. Hull book…

The imprint in both is the same “Swan Visofil Pen. Patent applied for Mabie Todd & Co Ltd Made in England.

 

 

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks,

This is a Mabie Todd Swan Visofil 'V' Series V111 / 59 Ladies Italian Marble Pen c. 1935-1936. The Mabie Todd model is V for Visofil, 111 for the small clipless ladies pen, and color code 59 for Italian Marble. Mabie Todd introduced the Visofil pen in 1935 to compete in the "ink visible" trend going on at the time. The Visofil V Series is a uniquely designed ink sac pen with a clear plunger providing a view to the ink level. The sac actually is cut at both ends, with one attaching to the section and the other attaching to the spring loaded plunger. Repeatedly pressing the plunger draws ink into the sac and eventually the ink level can be seen through the clear plunger. This example is the smallest size at 4 1/8 inches long among three clipless versions of the Visofl V series pens. The cap top is black ebonite stamped with the Mabie Todd Swan logo highlighted in white. This pen came in Italian Marble, Black, Russet & Jade, Brown Amber, and Amethyst & Gold celluloid. It has a Number 1 size 14 karat gold nib, stamped SWAN over 1 over 14CT over MABIE TODD over & CO LTD.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SwanVisofilV11159ItalianMarble_1280_01a.jpg

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks,

This is a Mabie Todd Swan Visofil 'V' Series V111 / 60 Ladies Black Pen c. 1935-1936. The Mabie Todd model is V for Visofil, 111 for the small clipless ladies pen, and color code 60 for Black. Mabie Todd introduced the Visofil pen in 1935 to compete in the "ink visible" trend going on at the time. The Visofil V Series is a uniquely designed ink sac pen with a clear plunger providing a view to the ink level. The sac actually is cut at both ends, with one attaching to the section and the other attaching to the spring loaded plunger. Repeatedly pressing the plunger draws ink into the sac and eventually the ink level can be seen through the clear plunger. This example is the smallest size at 4 1/8 inches long among three clipless versions of the Visofl V series pens. The cap top is black ebonite stamped with the Mabie Todd Swan logo highlighted in white. This pen came in Italian Marble, Black, Russet & Jade, Brown Amber, and Amethyst & Gold celluloid. It has a Number 1 size 14 karat gold nib, stamped SWAN over 1 over 14CT over MABIE TODD over & CO LTD.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SwanVisofilV11160Black_1280_01.jpg

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks,

This is a Mabie Todd Swan Visofil 'V' Series V111 / 66 Ladies Emerald Pen c. 1936. The Mabie Todd model is V for Visofil, 111 for the small clipless ladies pen, and color code 66 for Emerald. Mabie Todd introduced the Visofil pen in 1935 to compete in the "ink visible" trend going on at the time. This is the longer 4 3/4 inch version of the V111 introduced in October, 1936. The Visofil V Series is a uniquely designed ink sac pen with a clear plunger providing a view to the ink level. The sac actually is cut at both ends, with one attaching to the section and the other attaching to the spring loaded plunger. Repeatedly pressing the plunger draws ink into the sac and eventually the ink level can be seen through the clear plunger. The cap top is black ebonite stamped with the Mabie Todd Swan logo highlighted in white. This pen came in Imitation Mother-O'-Pearl, Blue, and Emerald celluloid. It has a Number 1 size 14 karat gold nib, stamped SWAN over 1 over 14CT over MABIE TODD over & CO LTD.

http://penhero.com/Temp/SwanVisofilV111_2_66Emerald_1280_01a.jpg

Thanks!

[Cob]

Help! Does anyone have a set of guts for the Lady Visofil V? - breather tube, spring collar filler button and the little collar. I have spares for the normal Visofil V but not for the baby one.

 

Rgds

 

Cob

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Mabie Todd Swan Visofil 'V' Series V211 / 60 Black c. 1935-1936. The Mabie Todd model is V for Visofil, 211 for the clip pen, and color code 60 for Black. Mabie Todd introduced the Visofil pen in 1935 to compete in the "ink visible" trend going on at the time. This is the longest version at 5 inches introduced in September, 1935. The Visofil V Series is a uniquely designed ink sac pen with a clear plunger providing a view to the ink level. The sac actually is cut at both ends, with one attaching to the section and the other attaching to the spring loaded plunger. Repeatedly pressing the plunger draws ink into the sac and eventually the ink level can be seen through the clear plunger. The cap top is black ebonite stamped with the Mabie Todd Swan logo highlighted in white. This pen came in Italian Marble, Black, Russet & Jade, Brown Amber, and Amethyst & Gold celluloid and has a 1/4 inch wide rolled gold filigree cap band. It has a Number 2 size 14 karat gold nib, stamped SWAN over 2 over 14CT over MABIE TODD over & CO LTD.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SwanVisofilV21160Black_1280_01.jpg

Thanks!

[PenHero]

  On 2/15/2018 at 12:50 PM, Cob said:

Help! Does anyone have a set of guts for the Lady Visofil V? - breather tube, spring collar filler button and the little collar. I have spares for the normal Visofil V but not for the baby one.

 

Rgds

 

Cob

Have you contacted Laurence Oldfield?

 

http://www.penpractice.com

[Cob]

  On 2/16/2018 at 11:44 AM, PenHero said:

Have you contacted Laurence Oldfield?

 

http://www.penpractice.com

Thanks, I might try - I wrote to him a couple of days ago about something else but haven't heard back.. Perhaps he's away?

 

C.

Edited February 16, 2018 by Cob

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Mabie Todd Swan Visofil 'V' Series V211 / 63 Russet & Jade c. 1935-1936. The Mabie Todd model is V for Visofil, 211 for the clip pen, and color code 63 for Russet & Jade. Mabie Todd introduced the Visofil pen in 1935 to compete in the "ink visible" trend going on at the time. This is the longest version at 5 inches introduced in September, 1935. The Visofil V Series is a uniquely designed ink sac pen with a clear plunger providing a view to the ink level. The sac actually is cut at both ends, with one attaching to the section and the other attaching to the spring loaded plunger. Repeatedly pressing the plunger draws ink into the sac and eventually the ink level can be seen through the clear plunger. The cap top is black ebonite stamped with the Mabie Todd Swan logo highlighted in white. This pen came in Italian Marble, Black, Russet & Jade, Brown Amber, and Amethyst & Gold celluloid and has a 1/4 inch wide rolled gold filigree cap band. It has a Number 2 size 14 karat gold nib, stamped SWAN over 2 over 14CT over MABIE TODD over & CO LTD.

http://www.penhero.com/Temp/SwanVisofilV21163RussetJade_1280_01a.jpg

Thanks!

[Greenie]

Jim - as always, great photos. Do you have the amber visofil V - I think that is the only color not yet posted. This is a great addition to the board.

[Cob]

Of course I cannot compete with the photos in this thread - I cannot begin to understand how they are made!

 

Anyway here's a snap of my sad little Lady Visofil; she has been eviscerated and therefore seeking new insides. I thought I knew my Mabie Todd materials pretty well, but I have never seen this one before. Typically, no number on the pen - Greenie knows why that is!

 

 

Rgds

 

Cob

[Greenie]

  On 2/17/2018 at 6:17 PM, Cob said:

Typically, no number on the pen - Greenie knows why that is!

 

I am sticking to my theory. The number stamping guy was sadly an alcoholic in the days before AA, and also was in love with the girl from accounting, so he frequently missed work, and even while he was at work, he was often not at his post.

[Cob]

Any thoughts on the material? I have a feeling I might just have seen it on a Blackbird or maybe a Jackdaw. I cannot be sure. It's terribly pretty, my photo doesn't do it justice.

 

C.

[Greenie]

I assumed the color was off in the photo, and it was just a standRd color not showing well.

 

Your pen Looks like italian marble and russet jade had a baby.

[Cob]

  On 2/18/2018 at 12:35 AM, Greenie said:

I assumed the color was off in the photo, and it was just a standRd color not showing well.

 

Your pen Looks like italian marble and russet jade had a baby.

 

I'l do my best to try to photograph it again when the light is better.

 

P.