'Mabie Todd & Bard' became 'Mabie Todd' in 1907. The 'snail and ribbon' pattern on this extremely rare Mabie Todd & Bard Swan pen was used in 1905.
The embossed, or repousse pattern is in high relief and beautifully executed. The barrel imprint reads:
The Swan Pen
Pat. Feb. 8. 81. Feb. 21. 82. Mar. 6. 88.
Mabie Todd & Bard New York.
There is also a blank cartouche with evidence that a name may have been removed at some stage but the gold plating on the rest of the pen is first class with no visible brassing.
The over and under ebonite feed supplies the original Mabie Todd & Bard nib which has a broad stub profile, it writes with a smooth line.
At 13.5cm capped and 16cm when posted it is a long, slim pen. As potential customers would have been used to using dip pens, the slim profile of the new fangled fountain pen was more familiar than a thicker pen.
The box, and the eyedropper have seen better days but are original and should be kept with the pen. It is a remarkable antique which would grace any collection but could also be wheeled out for that special writing occasion.