Mabie Todd Swan Visofil Photo Thread

[Cob]

Here's a better photo taking advantage of available light:

 

 

Pretty isn't she?

 

Cob

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

 

This is a Mabie Todd Swan Visofil 'V' Series V212 / 66 Emerald c. 1936. The Mabie Todd model is V for Visofil, 212 for the two cap band clip 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 longest version at 5 inches 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 and two narrow rolled gold filigree cap bands. It has a Number 2 size 14 karat gold nib, stamped SWAN over 2 over 14CT over MABIE TODD over & CO LTD.

 

 

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Here's a better photo taking advantage of available light:

 

Pretty isn't she?

 

Cob

Very nice! It’s not Italian Marble? What colors are in it?

[Wardok]

I thought it looked like an badly photographed Italianate marble in the listing (and hence didn't bid aggressively), but then it looked like the Jackdaw colour and now it looks like Italianate Marble again - jut a nicer batch than normal

 

Am I crazy in thinking I have seen a mark I Visofil in the Swan dark and light blue lapis finish?

[Cob]

I thought it looked like an badly photographed Italianate marble in the listing (and hence didn't bid aggressively), but then it looked like the Jackdaw colour and now it looks like Italianate Marble again - jut a nicer batch than normal

 

Am I crazy in thinking I have seen a mark I Visofil in the Swan dark and light blue lapis finish?

No it is not Italian Marble; not remotely.

 

Principal colours are a luminescent pink, dark and lighter, and green, marbled.

 

Visofils were produced in tthe 1930s 52 material which is blue and black. This material is very prone to darkening - I once had a L212/52 with a barrel darker than the cap.

Edited February 18, 2018 by Cob

[Greenie]

This does not entirely answer the question, but I posted two pretty small Swan 1 leverless pens Sept 2017. One matches your plastic.

 

So, as far as we can tell, it is a pattern on #1 clipless pens? A pattern with no number, and no collector name?

How about "Moss and Wine", or "Wine and Olive"?

[Cob]

This does not entirely answer the question, but I posted two pretty small Swan 1 leverless pens Sept 2017. One matches your plastic.

 

So, as far as we can tell, it is a pattern on #1 clipless pens? A pattern with no number, and no collector name?

How about "Moss and Wine", or "Wine and Olive"?

That's the one Greenie - thanks.

 

I do still have the feeling that I have seen this pattern before - and Jackdaw comes to mind.

 

My choice of a name for a name would be Olive & Rose. "Grass & Raspberry Juice" wouldn't work would it?

 

Rgds

 

Cob

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

This is a Mabie Todd Swan Visofil 'V' Series V112 / 67 Amethyst & Gold c. 1936. The Mabie Todd model is V for Visofil, 112 for the two cap band clipless ladies pen, and color code 67 for Amethyst & Gold. Mabie Todd introduced the Visofil pen in 1935 to compete in the "ink visible" trend going on at the time. This is the second longest version at 4 3/4 inches 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 and two narrow rolled gold filigree cap bands. It has a Number 2 size 14 karat gold nib, stamped SWAN over 2 over 14CT over MABIE TODD over & CO LTD.



Thanks!

Edited March 3, 2018 by PenHero
Updated color information

[PenHero]

That's the one Greenie - thanks.

 

I do still have the feeling that I have seen this pattern before - and Jackdaw comes to mind.

 

My choice of a name for a name would be Olive & Rose. "Grass & Raspberry Juice" wouldn't work would it?

 

Rgds

 

Cob

Fascinating! Love it when new colors show up! Thanks!

[Greenie]

Jim - that last one is the color we are discussing. Is the pen marked with the color number 59, or was that your assumption? It is different from the SM series pens marked color 59.

[Cob]

Here's a /59:

 

 

Cob

[Greenie]

59 has smaller color chunks. Lavender/grey rather than more of a wine color, and a red vein.

I am in a color naming mood - Italian Marble never made sense to me. Google "Italian Marble". Nothing green and grayish purple.

 

I hereby reject the common nomenclature for color 59. Although I will have to use it to the extent that everyone else uses it.

 

59, in my mind, is now "Lavender Moss."

 

The other is Wine and Olive.

 

Disclaimer: My wife tells me I am terrible with color names, so feel free to totally ignore me.

[PenHero]

Jim - that last one is the color we are discussing. Is the pen marked with the color number 59, or was that your assumption? It is different from the SM series pens marked color 59.

Being color blind, I asked my wife to look at my Italian Marble V111, posted previously, and this pen. The Italian Marble has purple in it and this pen has green and yellow. So now, when I get home from my trip, I’ll need to look at both of these pens and check if they have color number stamps and see what they are. If the same color number, that explains it. If not, then this is a new color that I need to figure out. Always something to learn! Should have something to say Monday or so.

 

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, Folks!

 

Until we resolve the mystery color, heres an Emerald one:

 

This is a Mabie Todd Swan Visofil 'V' Series V211 / 66 Emerald c. 1936. The Mabie Todd model is V for Visofil, 211 for the clip 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 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.

 

I have not figured out why some have a small ball clip and others have a large ball clip unless it was to distinguish the pen for male and female buyers. Any ideas?

 

 

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Jim - that last one is the color we are discussing. Is the pen marked with the color number 59, or was that your assumption? It is different from the SM series pens marked color 59.

 

I've looked at the pen and it is Green, Burgundy and Purple. I wonder if the color number applies to two different colors. There is a similar color pen, a Swan Self-Filler SM 205/59 on this YouTube link:

 

 

Does this look the same to you?

 

Thanks!

[Greenie]

I think they are different. Classic "italian marble" pattern has green and lavender, with red veins.

The color you presented is more green and a burgundy color, with no veins. And the pieces of color are larger in your pattern.

You have an olive and wine color

59 pattern is more of a greyish lavender and moss.

 

 

Someone in the UK could do us the favor of contacting Mr. Hull for an opinion!

[PenHero]

I think they are different. Classic "italian marble" pattern has green and lavender, with red veins.

The color you presented is more green and a burgundy color, with no veins. And the pieces of color are larger in your pattern.

You have an olive and wine color

59 pattern is more of a greyish lavender and moss.

 

 

Someone in the UK could do us the favor of contacting Mr. Hull for an opinion!

 

I just sent an email to Steve Hull and Lawrence Oldfield. Let's see what they say!

 

Thanks!

[PenHero]

Hi, All!

 

Had an email conversation with Steve Hull and Laurence Oldfield. Steve looked at the mystery pen color and checked his own collection and determined that the color is / 67 Amethyst & Gold - gold, light burgundy marble and small patches of black. I've update the post above.

 

Thanks!

[Greenie]

Excellent!