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Thread: Swan Leverless L212/66

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    Senior Member eachan's Avatar
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    Default Swan Leverless L212/66



    I assist my wife Deb with her vintage pens sales business (https://www.goodwriterssales.com/). We buy in pens for restoration and sale but once in a long while a pen will appear that is too beautiful to part with.



    Such a pen is this one, the Mabie Todd Swan Leverless L212/66. The L stands for the filling system, the 2 is for the nib size, the 12 refers to the decoration of the pen and the 66 is the celluloid pattern, in this case “Emerald”.



    This pen was manufactured in the mid-thirties, a period of development and expansion for the company. They are renowned for the celluloid patterns and pen styles of this time.



    Pens in this pattern are quite uncommon; perhaps for once I might use the term “rare”. Though we are not collectors I can't quite allow myself to let this one go, so it will join our small accumulation of pens we have kept.



    It will, of course, be used. The nib is a firm fine, Deb's favourite nib type and one that I like too – very handy for note-taking when researching pens.

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    amk (October 27th, 2020), azkid (October 25th, 2020), Chrissy (October 25th, 2020), digitalsedition (October 25th, 2020), FredRydr (October 25th, 2020), junglejim (October 25th, 2020), penwash (October 25th, 2020), Pterodactylus (October 25th, 2020), SchaumburgSwan (October 26th, 2020), Yazeh (October 27th, 2020)

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    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    It's a lovely looking pen. Maybe the section might perhaps be just a little on the fine side for my now unwieldy right thumb, but otherwise, I'm not surprised you kept it.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    eachan (October 25th, 2020)

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    Senior Member FredRydr's Avatar
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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    A lovely example of the marque. I've had several of these from the same era with that recessed Swan in the cap, but always black. Their great nibs were the best selling point.

    Quote Originally Posted by eachan View Post
    ...Though we are not collectors I can't quite allow myself to let this one go, so it will join our small accumulation of pens we have kept.
    Hmm...accumulators but not collectors? ;-)

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    eachan (October 25th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    Over 11 years commercial sales this is the the third Swan we've kept and there's another a very generous friend gave Deb. Not a big collection, Fred. Of course there are several others - not Swans - all kept because we like the way they write.

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    Senior Member eachan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    It's a lovely looking pen. Maybe the section might perhaps be just a little on the fine side for my now unwieldy right thumb, but otherwise, I'm not surprised you kept it.
    Yes, quite a narrow section, Chrissy. Both Deb and I have arthritis in our hands so extended periods of writing are difficult, whichever pens we choose.

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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    First of all, beautiful pen, presented in a way that is educational. Love it.

    I can identify immediately to the feeling of not willing to let go of a pen that just "speaks" to me. And in my case, these few pens are not necessarily expensive ones either.

    I think those who love to restore pens (and are able to do it in enough frequency and consistency) are straddling between "collector" and "seller" and a lot of times having to choose one over the other.
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    eachan (October 25th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    Deb began selling pens because she couldn't afford to collect them but wished to see and write about as many as possible. Her blog has been running now for 11 years and most, if not all, British pen companies have been covered and quite a few from other countries as well. That being the case, she thought it was time to make our lives easier and limit our buying to Mabie Todd, because those are the pens we love most.

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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    That pen is gorgeous and I appreciate your sharing. Wishing you and Deb the best.

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    eachan (October 25th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    Deb's blog site is a true gift to those of us who love (or were first introduced as I was) Swans and wish to learn about other English fountain pens (and the occasional mechanical pencil.) Her writing style is easy to read and the "search" function actually works! I've spent many hours there looking something up, then getting sucked into a different article that leads onto something else. One of these days when I have a week of down time, I'm going to scroll all the way back to her very first blog post and work my way to the current day's post.

    Keep up the good work!
    Bucket list - walk the Camino de Santiago again

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    Senior Member eachan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    Quote Originally Posted by azkid View Post
    That pen is gorgeous and I appreciate your sharing. Wishing you and Deb the best.
    Thank you, azkid.

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    Senior Member eachan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    Quote Originally Posted by junglejim View Post
    Deb's blog site is a true gift to those of us who love (or were first introduced as I was) Swans and wish to learn about other English fountain pens (and the occasional mechanical pencil.) Her writing style is easy to read and the "search" function actually works! I've spent many hours there looking something up, then getting sucked into a different article that leads onto something else. One of these days when I have a week of down time, I'm going to scroll all the way back to her very first blog post and work my way to the current day's post.

    Keep up the good work!
    Many thanks, Jim. The pen is loaded with Monteverde Blue Velvet that you kindly sent to Deb.

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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66



    An old British Swan Mabie, Todd & Bard advert that I just read boasts,

    "A perfect flow of ink which contributes immeasurably to celerity and comfort in writing...".

    So thanks to Mabie Todd, I researched and learned a new word today: celerity.


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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    I would rather like to get a Swan for ten shillings and sixpence, the equivalent of fifty-two pence. If they were available at that price I would run to get one with great celerity! As it's Mabie Todd & Bard that advert is from before 1907. Baden-Powell, who formed the Boy Scouts, recommends the Swan.

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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    Dear Eachan,

    that is a very beautiful Swan!
    A leverless (212, 205, 245) in lapis or emerald - some of the greatest pens ever.
    Look, size, nibs, design, balance… everyting is spot on. :-))

    Best
    Jens
    .................................................. .................................................. .

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/136145166@N02/albums

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    Senior Member eachan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    Thank you, Jens. Of course I agree entirely. And then there's /62, wine and silver...

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    Schaumburg_Swan (April 7th, 2023)

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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    I love the recessed swan at the top of the cap. What a lovely detail.

    I can quite see why you've kept this one. I took a long while to warm to Swans but now have an almost complete set of the snakeskins, with the most delicious nibs, one of which is so flexy I now keep it for calligraphy.

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    Senior Member eachan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    The snakeskins/lizardskins are often flexible. They also have the BHR lever, unique to Swans. Congratulations on your collection. Those pens are becoming increasingly expensive.

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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    It's always a delight to see an 'Emerald' Swan, thanks for sharing the photographs.

    I love writing and enjoying these 'Emeralds'. L470/66 and 442E

    IMG_2898.jpg

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    Senior Member eachan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Swan Leverless L212/66

    One of the great Swan patterns, I think. Not flashy like the /59 Italian Marble - another great in its own way - but subtle, with a depth that draws you in.

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