Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Newest Acquisitions (Virtual "Show & Tell") ~ part 543

Today we're featuring another one of Christopher's vintage finds, but this one has a surprising Canadian twist! Intrigued? Read on .... 

Christopher writes:

"In the last decade and a half, I have not had the good luck to find and secure a Mabie Todd fountain pen much earlier than the 1920s, but just the other day a lovely relic from the company's past came my way..."
 
(photo courtesy of Christopher ~ please click on image to enlarge)
 
 
"Well noted and inscribed on the barrel are the words 'MABIE TODD & CO.' and above 'THE SWAN PEN' with the early Swan logo just before it. But let me say that the finish on both the barrel and cap is a well-defined black chased vulcanized rubber. The cap is a long flat top, featuring the original early patent 1915 14K Gold filled tapered to a ball end clip. And to add further character to this covering and just above the clip, are the words inscribed, 'SCREW CAP TIGHTLY' with an instructional arrow indicating which way to screw the cap back onto the barrel --a wise directive in anyone's books. The barrel also is well marked on its flat bottom with the Mabie Todd pen model identification as C3 LSF. I am not too sure what the 'C' refers to but the 3 definitely relates to the size of nib and for that matter probably the overall size of the pen, which to my mind is quite substantial. The letters to follow could well identify this writing instrument as a lever self-filler which indeed it is.

The nib, which is supported in a good-sized grip, is most impressive both in size and writing ability. Plus, it is inscribed 14K Gold No.3 Mabie Todd Toronto. Yes, this was a pen sold out of the Mabie Todd. Toronto Canada office. Probably produced in the UK and shipped to Canada just after the Great War to be retailed. I have made comments about the size of this pen but, to be more exact, it posts at a full 6 ½ inches to sit well balanced in the hand, but caps back responsibly to a pocketable 5 ½ inches, just perfect for a breast pocket. All and all a perfect candidate for my vintage pen collection and one I am definitely looking forward to using."

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