How many here use Rocker Blotters - or have them on the desk?

[horolographer]

I was trolling through my storage boxes and rediscovered my two rocker blotters (will photograph and share them later). Acquired them about 20 years ago. The brass one from UK in 1993 and the wooded one in late 80s. I used to use them in the office when I had to sign a whole lot of letters and documents while in practice. Since then, my signature is not that much in demand .

 

Anyway, I would love to see photos of the rocker blotters that people use here. Hope to see some! :-)

 

Cheers

[Shangas]

My rocker blotter is a wooden one with faux red leather on top. It was made in the 1940s according to the shopkeeper I bought it from. It is pictured in this photograph, with the watch-chain wrapped around it:

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/DSC05789.jpg

 

Everything in that photo, from the watch, the blotter and the fountain pens are all in daily use. The inkwell at the back is the same one in my avatar.

Edited June 10, 2009 by Shangas

[pariate]

I use one... but can't figure out how to upload an image! :embarrassed_smile:

 

I keep a journal and get tired of blowing on the ink to dry it before turning the page, so decided to hunt out a blotter. It also adds a little more ceremony to journalling.

 

ETA: Yay! I got a pic! I feel so clever...

Edited June 10, 2009 by pariate

[Gehaha]

Hello,

 

I'm using two of them,

a simple wooden one and an orange bakelite one from the twenties.

I also like to use plain blotter paper while writing long letters.

 

Best,

Anna

[peterowen]

Here's mine. It's in regular use.

 

[bardharlock]

Peter, are those leaves painted on or inlay work?

[Rena]

Nice topic!! And great examples so far! Here are my two rocker blotters (which yes, I use all the time).

 

I love the carving on this one, which I like to imagine was done by hand, and then painted, and then given to a sweetheart.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Cankapopa/6BulgarianBlotter.jpg

 

This one is also wood, but with inlay.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Cankapopa/RockerBlotter.jpg

[peterowen]

Peter, are those leaves painted on or inlay work?

They are metal (brass?) inlay.

[bardharlock]

Peter, are those leaves painted on or inlay work?

They are metal (brass?) inlay.

 

Stunning and understated beauty!

[Paddler]

I use a rocker blotter all the time when journaling. Sorry, no picture yet. It is cast pewter and silver plated. Much of the silver has worn off and it looks pretty disreputable because the pewter has a black patina. It has been in the family probably since the '30s. It is an old, groaty-looking heirloom. But, it is MY old, groaty-looking heirloom and I wouldn't trade it for another.

 

Paddler

 

[horolographer]

I must say that the rockers here are very unique and interesting. Some even are beautiful. Mine clearly is the run of the mill type and had seen better days. Wish I could say that I use them more today but with fast drying inks I am not sure when I will use them again. They are nonetheless nice items for the pen writer's desk.

 

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s132/horolographer/IMG_0653_web.jpg

Edited June 11, 2009 by horolographer

[Izzy]

I have a small J Herbin one on my desk that I use. I also have several sheet of plain blotting paper too.

[chartoune]

Well you guys will have to enlighten me since I have no idea what that thing could do. First of all, being a frenchie, I don't really understand what blotter is, and having never even seen one of these in my life...

 

so, what is it !

[horolographer]

Well you guys will have to enlighten me since I have no idea what that thing could do. First of all, being a frenchie, I don't really understand what blotter is, and having never even seen one of these in my life...

 

so, what is it !

 

OK will try (but I am sure wiser ones than me on this will correct me :-))

Historically inks takes a while to dry. In the days when pens were dipped, the solution was to throw some kind of dust or powder (no idea what it is) to help speed the process of drying the ink on paper. Then came along blotting paper which essentially a soft thick paper (again I am sure there is a scientific or technical term for what paper it is) that when applied to ink on paper, it will absorb the excess ink thus helping the ink to dry much faster. The rocker blotter came along to help those who use blotters. The idea is to place the blotter along side of the part to dry and simply roll it or rock it back and forth over the ink on the paper to let the blotting paper do its magic.

 

Now - the problem with blotting paper and rockers is that if its used before the ink on the blotter dries, there is a real danger of the ink being transfered onto the next sheet of paper. Literally printing smudges!

 

But with the advent of fast drying inks or even less 'wet' inks, the days of rocker blotters were numbered. I think its lost favour amongst many FP users. This is probably why these things are so rare these days. They are IMO quite collectable. Can be very historic e.g. used at various important treaties or surrender documents.

 

Cheers

[horolographer]

Nice topic!! And great examples so far! Here are my two rocker blotters (which yes, I use all the time).

 

I love the carving on this one, which I like to imagine was done by hand, and then painted, and then given to a sweetheart.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Cankapopa/6BulgarianBlotter.jpg

 

This one is also wood, but with inlay.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k313/Cankapopa/RockerBlotter.jpg

 

 

Rena - these are exquisite. They will be wonderful family heirlooms.

[Rena]

Thank you, Horolographer. I did not intend to have two rocker blotters. First I searched for over a year for a large rocker that would also be special to me. I stumbled across the inlay one and was smitten, but there were problems with e-mails getting through... for nearly two weeks I did not hear back... and then I stumbled across the carved and painted one at a remarkably low price (around $45) and snatched it up — it is from Bulgaria. But then I heard from the seller of the inlay one, who had been trying to contact me after all the e-mails I had sent. He went above and beyond to find me and I was thrilled to be able to get the one I had first fallen in love with — from his personal collection, it is from Israel (note the Star of David inlays). So now I have two, and think sometimes how cool it would be to collect rocker blotters, although I cannot also accumulate pens, and pens win out!

 

Seeing all these beauties in this thread just warms my heart. I don't know why I'm so attracted to these desk tools. Beautiful photography too — I love that red leather one of Shangas'! I imagine it has wonderful tactile properties, and look at all the other wonderful items in the photo — inkpot, pocket watch, sweet, wooden box, beautiful pens.... Pariate, I am so happy you mastered the photo uploading procedure to share your gorgeous rocker — the blue and the silver together are just stunning! Gehaha, I wish I could see photos of yours too. Peterowin, the wood grain is beautiful on yours, and the shape of the knob, and the beautiful inlaid leaves — I love it. Paddler's pewter and silver one sounds marvelous, and it has been in the family for over 70 years, thus added specialness! Horolographer, another beautifully composed photo with dreamy and interesting items in the background... yours too, are just really gorgeous — the smooth lines and gleaming brass of the smaller one, the dark wood and ornately carved knob on the large one... I wouldn't mind having all of these!!! I hope more people will contribute.

 

 

[montblancdude]

Sorry, but I have never heard of a rocker blotter. What is it? Do you just dab the nib of the pen onto it to get off the excess ink?

[Richard]

At my workbench I have (and use) a beautiful handmade oak rocker blotter made by Guy Edson, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. No pix, sorry, because I'm at the Raleigh Pen Show this weekend.

[bardharlock]

Well you guys will have to enlighten me since I have no idea what that thing could do. First of all, being a frenchie, I don't really understand what blotter is, and having never even seen one of these in my life...

 

so, what is it !

 

A rocker blotter uses papier buvard underneath it to blot up wet ink so you do not mess up pages when you turn a page. It is for people too impatient to let the ink dry naturally. Does that help?

[hookem11]

I have the small Herbin. Probably the same one as Nigel

 

Regards,

Al