This pen is now reserved
The Blackbird pen was introduced, by Mabie Todd, in 1912, as an eyedropper filler, and remained in production, although much altered, until around 1956. This is an early hard rubber pen dating from around the end of the 1920s.
The pen, a lever filler, has been restored and is now in full working order. The filling system works well and takes up a good volume of ink. The original 14Ct. Gold Blackbird nib writes with a medium line and has a small, but pleasing, amount of flex to allow line width variation and add character to the writing.
At 13.5cm. capped and an impressive 16.2 cm. posted, it is a long, slim pen, a style much favoured at a time when dip pens were still commonly in use. The cap is a smooth and secure screw fit, tightening with one and a half turns. It has a nickel plated, riveted clip with a clear Blackbird log imprint, and a self locking lever, a 1919 Mabie Todd patent.
The nickel plating is bright and the hard rubber has a good surface and a very clear barrel imprint.
At ninety odd years old the Blackbird is still fully functional but is probably better suited as a 'signature pen' rather than a pen to be carried around as a daily writer.