QUILL AND PARCHMENT

"Whether you use a steel pen or a quill, not a jot does it matter to me, it's not how you write, but the words you indite, makes me anxious your writing to see."

PATENTED INKWELL

(ebb) This inkwell (C-1426) is embossed: C.E. HATCH, PAT'D DEC. 27, 1875. It was made by the N.E. Glass Co. and is of milk glass decorated in natural colors. It may or may not have a silver plated pen rack attached. This inkwell also comes in clear glass and undecorated milk glass. (Photo courtesy of Showcase Antique Center, Sturbridge, MA.).

TEAKETTLE INKWELL

(ebb) This is a rare teakettle inkwell. It is Staffordshire and dates 1840-1860. It depicts what appears to be a monkey dressed in bonnet and cloak. There is a book on top of the lip and his hands are holding both. It is made of stoneware. It is unlisted. (Photo courtesy of Showcase Antique Center, Sturbridge, MA.).

(ebb) The colored blown inkwells (C-1035) are in several colors including light blue, cobalt blue, amber and red. The amber inkwell has a fancy brass and cork stopper. Attribution is difficult for these inkwells and their origin is not known. They were probably made in the last half of the 19th century. They are not easily found.

(ebb) Three more blown inkwells similar to those above (C-1036 &1037) in golden amber and two shades of green.

SANDER + INKWELL + PENWIPE

(ebb) The sander on the left (C-1725) is in cobalt blue glass, pontiled, with a sheet iron top. There are similar inkwells (see above). Here are the sander and inkwell together. The center illustration is of an inkwell with funnel-type opening. It is (C-1333) one of two known. The other is in the Winterthur Museum. The item on the right (C-1422) is a penwipe. There are brushes attached inside and it shows a patent date of Jan. 17, 1871. A label applied to the bottom shows it to be a, "Practical Pen Cleaner" made by the Providence Inkstand Company. It is not an inkwell. (Photo courtesy of Showcase Antique Center, Sturbridge, MA.).

DARLING'S PATENT INKSTAND

(ebb) Darling's Patent Inkstand (C-1433) is an interesting inkstand made with several different internal configurations. Most of the patent dates show August 30, 1887. I have one which shows the patent date as April 7, 1868. It has two original labels on the inside. The first reads: "CUT GLASS INKSTAND ELASTIC RESERVOIR. Oil the working parts two or three times a year with good sewing machine oil, taking care not to get much on the rubber. Take out the dipping cup, to cleanse and fill the reservoir. In returning the dipping cup, wet the stem and turn it as it is forced in, as though it were a screw, which will prevent the neck of rubber from being moved out of place. First, loosen the neck of the rubber when it is to be taken out of the case. When not in use, the ink should be lowered into the neck of the cup and covered. Providence Inkstand Co., Manufacturers, March 1st, 1877. Providence. R.I." The second label reads: "When this inkstand is not in constant use, the rubber fountain should be kept well filled with ink. The rubber is very durable, and in every sense reliable. The ink and rubber have no effect upon each other whatever. Ink will not mould in this inkstand when used according to directions. If needed, any part of it can be had of the manufacturers or stationers who sell the inkstands. Providence Inkstand Co." There is another with one label on the bottom which reads: "Patented Aug. 30, 1887 NEVER REMOVE THE DIPPING CUP. Preparatory to filling with the accompanying tin funnel, unscrew the regulator until the follower touches the tin bottom; this expands the rubber fountain to full extent. This fount can be cleansed by removing the tin botton and follower; fill with water and manipulate the rubber, thus removing sediment. This inkstand can be duplicated by ordering from this number (1). MT. WASHINGTON GLASS CO., New Bedford, Mass., U.S.A. Headquarters in America for Rich Cut and Decorated Glassware. Sole Prop's & Mf'rs of Darling's Patent Ink Stands." I also have the inkstand illustrated (C-1431) in a waffle pattern which is in the center right of the advertisement. I also have one by the Pairpoint Mfg. Co. (C-1436). The glass inkstands are sometimes thought of as 'Art Deco" by uninformed dealers. Many could have been made but they are scarce. The one in the waffle pattern is rare. From the complexity of the inkstand they may not have been popular (Photo courtesy of Showcase Antique Center, Sturbridge, MA.)

LOCOMOTIVE-MILK GLASS-BARREL

(ebb) The locomotive ink (C-715) is embossed: PAT. OCT. 1874 and TRADE MARK. This is rare. The patentee was Charles L. Lochman of Carlisle, PA. The milk glass ink (similar to C-1075) is pontiled and possibly of European origin. The barrel (C-667) is embossed: TIPPECANOE EXTRACT and HARD CIDER. It is clear with a pontil. (Photo courtesy of Showcase Antique Center, Sturbridge, MA.)

POWDERED INK

(ebb) An original package of powdered ink made by the firm of Maynard and Noyes of Boston, MA. It is still tied with the original twine. Its dimenions are: 3 1/2"W x 4 1/2"H x 1 1/4"D. The Maynard and Noyes company began operations in Boston in 1816 and was a prominent ink maker during most of the nineteenth century. Powdered ink was used as needed. Ink in bottles during the early years would mould if the bottle was not kept tightly corked when not in use. (Photo courtesy of Showcase Antique Center, Sturbridge, MA.)

SANDERS

(ebb) The rosewood or lignum vitae sander on the left (similar to C-1699) is a common shape. The sander in the center is made of stoneware. Stoneware and pottery sanders are rare, not many having survived the ravages of time. The sander on the right (C-1711) is of rosewood or lignum vitae. It is in the shape of a barrel. Sanders were in common use from the early 17th century and most of the 19th. Blotting paper became popular in the 19th century and, by about 1870, sanders had just about become obsolete. The S. Silliman & Co. of Chester, CT. made many wooden sanders (as well as wooden inkwells). Many were custom made and many different examples exist today. They were made in a variety of materials. (Photo courtesy of Showcase Antique Center, Sturbridge,MA.)

(ebb) Three metal sanders. The center sander is brass. The two on the ends are tin with faceted sides.

EARLY INKWELLS

(ebb) The inkwell on the left (C-1415) is glass and pewter. The cover is stamped: DRAPER'S PATENT JAN 7TH 1851. The glass is dark violet and is rare in this color. It also has its pewter cap. Caps are easily lost and most wells of this type are without this part. Similar inkwells are known to exist in cobalt blue and clear. There is also one of overlay (emerald green cut to clear). The 1851 patent date is the earliest known for patented inkwells. The round inkwell in the center is black basalt and is large. It measures 2 1/2 H x 3 3/4 D. It is embossed with the numeral "9" on the base. The well on the right is a fountain inkwell (C-1316) in vaseline glass. It is embossed: PATENTED JULY 16, 1867. It is rare in this color. (Photo courtesy of Showcase Antique Center, Sturbridge, MA.)

(ebb) Two small ink bottles with pontils and a stoneware teakettle ink. The one on the left (similar to C-213) and the one on the right are olive green. The teakettle has a gold transfer which says: "Compliments of THE LETORT HOTEL James F. Grandone, Prop. Carlisle, Pa." These are not easily found today.

(ebb)A pottery inkwell (similar to C-1542) with dark brown glaze. Label says, "Keystone Unchangeable Jet Black Ink, J. C. Blair Co., Manfg. Stationer, Huntingdon, PA." These are not often found with a label.

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