The Mentmore Auto-flow was introduced both as a lever and button filler versions in 1935. The first version had a ball end clip, replaced by the straight clip, this pen, around 1946.
The Mentmore name was used for the high quality pens, second tier offerings were branded as Platignum. The Auto-flow pens were somewhat ahead of their time in that the nibs were made with a large ball of tipping, not generally seen until much later.
This pen is an excellent example, it has been fully restored, including a new ink sac and pressure bar, and is in first class working condition. The filling system is quick and convenient, filling with just one press of the button. Two feed fins are chipped but this has no effect on performance, the 14 Ct. gold nib writes with a smooth, firm medium line and has the pleasant 'soft' feel often associated with high quality nibs.
Solidly constructed in celluloid, it has a very striking mottled brown/gold finish with an excellent surface. The Gold filling on the bevel edged clip has held up remarkably well.
At an impressive 16cm. in length when posted and with a proportionate width, the Auto-flow is a large pen with a good deal of presence and a high quality feel. It is, at least, on a par with the better known English pens of the period, and is very collectable.