Can Anyone Help Me With This Mabie Todd?

[bbbdco]

I saw this pen at a local store. The pen has been serviced and works fine. A flexible stub nib. They are asking $100 for the pen. Can anyone give me any info on this pen from my photo? Is that a fair price? Any ideas when it may have been made? Mabie Todd Patent Jan19 1915. I didn't have a loop with me, and I couldn't read any of the engraving on the nib. Thanks.

 

[Fermata]

I think $100 is a bargain as long as everything is right, attractive color and a nice early model.

 

The nib looks like it needs setting to my eyes. If it is not a Mabie Todd nib, and that is a possibility, personally I would walk away

 

MTs are usually well marked, especially at the end of the barrel.

[bbbdco]

Thanks for the info. I am going to take my loop and drive to the store to see what I can read on the nib and the pen. That should help me with my decision.

[PAKMAN]

Did it have a lever or is it eyedropper filled? Main issue I would make sure is that the nib is an original Mabie Todd. For $100 I probably would bite, but would try to offer less and meet in the middle.

[pen2paper]

Also look at body/cap for cracks/repairs.

[markh]

It's hard to tell from the photo, but I think the pen may have had a cap ring (gold colored) now missing.

You might be able to tell with a close look.

 

The end of the barrel should have a number (may be hard to see). Might tell more.

Photos of nib, and feed would be useful.

.

[bbbdco]

I know this is an old thread, but after a long break, I’m getting back into my fountain pens. I actually did end up purchasing this pen. I would like to know a little more about it. The nib has the following engraved:

MABIE TODD & CO.

NY

-2

 

So I am assuming that the nib is original. I have filled the pen with ink and written with it. It is a very flexible nib. To me, it appears to be a stub or italic type nib. When I write with it, the line is very broad to extra extra broad. Engraved into ebonite side of the pen is:  SWAN’S SELF FILLING PEN

 

It seems to be in good condition. I’m not sure if a cap ring is missing or not. Maybe you guys can tell by the photos. The golden lever works fine.

 

Does anyone know what the -2 (minus 2) on the nibs means?

How old is this pen?

Is it a gold nib?

for $100 do you think I got a fair deal?

 

thank you for any answers to my questions.

 

 

 

[inkstainedruth]

I don't know enough about the brand to know if it was a good price or not.  But it certainly is a pretty pen.  Sounds like it's a Swan from the engraving, a pretty well known model.  

As for the "-2" on the nib?  Not a clue.  I picked up a Swan ring top a couple of years ago in an antiques shop in Erie, PA for cheap -- but I thought it was a no-name pen until I got home and gave it a good look under the loupe (I bought it because it had a Parker Lucky Curve nib on it...).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

[GlenV]

I think that is a fantastic 1920's red mottled hr pen and a wonderful deal.  It's also cool that is a USA made swan pen as so many more from England exist, the 2 refers to the company's own size nib designation although different companies use different size designations is not a universal size, but as a general rule refers to a small nib the smallest made by some companies. A very pretty pen. If you search Internet archive there are some catalogs for these pens, and you could establish the date but likely mid 1920's.

[LoveBigPensAndCannotLie]

On 1/11/2023 at 4:41 PM, bbbdco said:

I know this is an old thread, but after a long break, I’m getting back into my fountain pens. I actually did end up purchasing this pen. I would like to know a little more about it. The nib has the following engraved:

MABIE TODD & CO.

NY

-2

 

So I am assuming that the nib is original. I have filled the pen with ink and written with it. It is a very flexible nib. To me, it appears to be a stub or italic type nib. When I write with it, the line is very broad to extra extra broad. Engraved into ebonite side of the pen is:  SWAN’S SELF FILLING PEN

 

It seems to be in good condition. I’m not sure if a cap ring is missing or not. Maybe you guys can tell by the photos. The golden lever works fine.

 

Does anyone know what the -2 (minus 2) on the nibs means?

How old is this pen?

Is it a gold nib?

for $100 do you think I got a fair deal?

 

thank you for any answers to my questions.

 

 

 

 

The "2" just means it has a size 2 nib. A lot of manufacturers used various numbers for their different size nibs. Most well known being Waterman with the Waterman 52 with the #2 size nib. I think the #2 or 2 size equivalent nibs were more or less "standard" for the time although they made bigger ones. I have a Mabie Todd with no cap that has a massive #5 size nib.

 

As for the "-" part of the "2" I think that's just a decorative flourish, there should be another one on the other side which may have worn out over time, it'd probably be something like " - 2 - ". Not negative 2 as far as I know. It's definitely a gold nib. And the pen is probably from the 1920's, I'm not sure if I could narrow it down more than that. 

 

I think you got a really good deal! Mabie Todd pens (especially US-made ones) are rarer than your standard Waterman or Sheaffer, and red mottled hard rubber always commands a bit of a premium as well. On top of that, italic/stub nibs from this time period are on the rare side as well, so that's even better. 

 

Can you check if there is a number at the end of the barrel? I found a few sold pens on PSP that look just like yours, especially the first one. These don't have cap bands so I don't think yours had one either. 

 

https://www.peytonstreetpens.com/mabie-todd-usa-swan-stenographer-42-fountain-pen-1910-red-mottled-hard-rubber-overfeed-14k-full-flex-nib-superior-restored.html

https://www.peytonstreetpens.com/mabie-todd-swan-42-fountain-pen-bhr-flexible-wet-noodle-overfeed-nib-excellent-restored.html

 

I think yours is also a model 42.