Mabie Todd Blackbird guide

[btine]

First, I apologise for writing in English but my German is rather basic.

I'm posting a short guide to Mabie Todd Blackbirds. It's more about assumptions and guesses but maybe someone will still find it useful.

https://www.penexchange.de/forum_en/vie ... =10&t=6332

I believe that Stephen Hull is writing a book on the British Mabie Todd history, so, soon we'll have a proper reference.

[JulieParadise]

Thank you! A very interesting read!

[btine]

Thanks Julie! It's just my small contribution to the community. Actually, probably giving something back for all this year's of harvesting useful information.

[Thom]

Julie kann alle Sprachen, ich kriege da immer "Amsel". Aber wenn das tatsächlich Schulfüller waren,
hätte ich mal einen Grund gehabt zur Schule zu gehen.

Blackbird.jpg (155.36 KiB) 4631 mal betrachtet

V.G.
Thomas

[btine]

Indeed, I absolutely agree with you Thomas.

Your pen is from the late 40s or very early 50s. Well, at least according to my estimation

[btine]

I have just added the second part of the guide. This is my attempt to estimate possible times of production of particular models.

Tomorrow, I will try to complete everything by adding short characteristics and some pictures.

[titanus]

Hallo,

die sind wohl nicht sehr beliebt...
allerdings kann ich mir diesen Füller wegen des starken Flexes auch nur schwer als Schulfüller vorstellen.

Trotzdem ist er richtig schön, wie ich finde.
Und alt (ich denke so ca. 1930?)

Viele Grüße

titanus


Mabie Todd Blackbird by Klaus Sinuett, auf Flickr

[btine]

It's a nice and rare colour, titanus! I think it's early 1940s or late 1930s. It should has the number 52xx stamped at the end of the barrel.

I have my own theory on the flexibility/elasticity of Blackbird nibs. I guess that the softness is at least partially the result of cost saving and using less gold. Harder nibs can be found on rarer and better looking pens (likely originally more expensive). However, I'm not sure about it. I speculate too much

Also, I think that flexibility was somehow required for the type of handwriting taught at schools in the UK in the past. Of course, children were likely using dip pens while learning calligraphy, but fountain pens provided more convenient tool in day to day use.

Thank you for posting and the picture!

Mit freundlichen Grüßen,

Karl

[titanus]

Hallo Karl,

danke für die Erklärungen.
Das hilft schon mal weiter.

Viele Grüße

titanus

[Thom]

So ging das mal los mit den Blackbirds. Die 12 Karat Feder (die hier etwas gelitten hat)
findet sich auch in den "DURING WAR" Exemplaren.

Blackbird Eyedropper.jpg (381.14 KiB) 4061 mal betrachtet

V.G.
Thomas