Traveling Inkwell

[betweenthelens]

That is a gorgeous piece, thanks for sharing with us.

Thank you for appreciating!

[stevesurf]

Wonderful find! Looks like a 19th Century leather clad style with silver or pewter. Now you'll need to find a writing slope to match

[Bo Bo Olson]

On my list to get, a fine Stagecoach proof ink well.

Yours is finer than many I've admired.

Edited September 2, 2014 by Bo Bo Olson

[betweenthelens]

Wonderful find! Looks like a 19th Century leather clad style with silver or pewter. Now you'll need to find a writing slope to match

Thanks, Steve. Maybe. If one appears, I'll know it's meant to be.

 

On my list to get, a fine Stagecoach proof ink well.

Yours is finer than many I've admired.

Thanks so much, Bo Bo. Much appreciated.

[stevesurf]

Thanks, Steve. Maybe. If one appears, I'll know it's meant to be.

 

Thanks so much, Bo Bo. Much appreciated.

poof!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Brass-Bound-Walnut-Writing-Slope-c1880-for-Restoration-/191299792162?pt=UK_Antiques_Woodenware_RL&hash=item2c8a5b2d22

[betweenthelens]

poof!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Brass-Bound-Walnut-Writing-Slope-c1880-for-Restoration-/191299792162?pt=UK_Antiques_Woodenware_RL&hash=item2c8a5b2d22

Nice one! I particularly like the inscription. I wonder what happened to Stanley....

[Brian Anderson]

One thing I'm surprised nobody has mentioned: Go buy a lottery ticket now.

[betweenthelens]

One thing I'm surprised nobody has mentioned: Go buy a lottery ticket now.

Right? Maybe I should although that would probably negate any luck I've had finding pens and inkwells.

[Lyander0012]

I'm completely ignorant in the subject of inkwells, but I think that you indeed got it at an amazing price! Heck, I travel with actual bottles in my daily carry bag since I practice with my dip pens at work from time to time, and I'd jump at the chance to own one of those!

Haha, so this will be one of the less helpful posts, I think. But congrats anyway on your awesome find, and hope you get a lot of use out of it! One question though: are inkwells such as these ink-tight? That is to say, in the event that I lock it up and it suddenly gets tipped over in a backpack, will I end up with a lot of soaked paper, and an ink-stained blazer besides?


Cheers!

Kevin

[betweenthelens]

I'm completely ignorant in the subject of inkwells, but I think that you indeed got it at an amazing price! Heck, I travel with actual bottles in my daily carry bag since I practice with my dip pens at work from time to time, and I'd jump at the chance to own one of those!

 

Haha, so this will be one of the less helpful posts, I think. But congrats anyway on your awesome find, and hope you get a lot of use out of it! One question though: are inkwells such as these ink-tight? That is to say, in the event that I lock it up and it suddenly gets tipped over in a backpack, will I end up with a lot of soaked paper, and an ink-stained blazer besides?

 

 

Cheers!

 

Kevin

Hi Kevin! Thanks so much for your kind words. This inkwell in particular is by no means ink-tight. As David Nishimura said above: As usual with these, the original closure inside the cap has disintegrated, leaving the backing spring visible. Originally there would have been a disk of stiff rubber that the spring would hold firmly against the glass inkwell's mouth.

 

So, there would be no way that I would carry this with ink in it unless I'm able to repair it or find someone to repair it.

[Lyander0012]

Haha, I've actually seen one of these up for sale on Nishimura-san's excellent website, and I recall that it was in a similar condition. Shame about that, asI feel that it'd make for a very versatile and useful object for itinerant calligraphers such as myself. Well, itinerant amateur calligraphers I should say, as even my very best can hardly compare to the practice flourishes of many a talented member of this forum

 

(Hoping to catch up eventually, though!)

 

Hmm, I'm going to be looking people who restore such objects up on the 'net after work, methinks. Currently procrastinating but I don't want to lag behind, haha!

 

 

Cheers,

 

Kevin

 

Hi Kevin! Thanks so much for your kind words. This inkwell in particular is by no means ink-tight. As David Nishimura said above: As usual with these, the original closure inside the cap has disintegrated, leaving the backing spring visible. Originally there would have been a disk of stiff rubber that the spring would hold firmly against the glass inkwell's mouth.

 

So, there would be no way that I would carry this with ink in it unless I'm able to repair it or find someone to repair it.

[betweenthelens]

Versatile, useful and unique! Your calligraphy is absolutely beautiful. Don't sell yourself short. If you find a restorer of such traveling inkwells, please share the info!

Haha, I've actually seen one of these up for sale on Nishimura-san's excellent website, and I recall that it was in a similar condition. Shame about that, asI feel that it'd make for a very versatile and useful object for itinerant calligraphers such as myself. Well, itinerant amateur calligraphers I should say, as even my very best can hardly compare to the practice flourishes of many a talented member of this forum

 

(Hoping to catch up eventually, though!)

 

Hmm, I'm going to be looking people who restore such objects up on the 'net after work, methinks. Currently procrastinating but I don't want to lag behind, haha!

 

 

Cheers,

 

Kevin

 

[betweenthelens]

A friend in France mentioned that the double headed eagle is also a symbol on Albania's coat of arms, and sure enough, the odd shape above the double headed eagle looks to be Skanderbeg's helmet. I'm really excited to think that perhaps the mystery of the provenance of the inkwell is solved.

[GTVi]

Perhaps an item used during the Hoxha government of the time? Perhaps originally owned by someone well established and wealthy, i.e. a doctor or politician. You may have a one of a kind. The mind boggles.

[Lyander0012]

Versatile, useful and unique! Your calligraphy is absolutely beautiful. Don't sell yourself short. If you find a restorer of such traveling inkwells, please share the info!

 

Haha, if you say so. I'm still working on consistency/uniformity in my lettering, so I'm still a ways away from commission-worthy calligraphy

 

If you want, you can send it over if I find someone locally who can restore it! There are a few expert restorers here in the Philippines that work on all sorts of things, so I'm sure I can work something out once I get an inkwell of my own! XD

 

 

Perhaps an item used during the Hoxha government of the time? Perhaps originally owned by someone well established and wealthy, i.e. a doctor or politician. You may have a one of a kind. The mind boggles.

 

Fancy. Looking up info on Enver Hoxha at the moment, and it's really a fun read. Might keep me awake during slow moments at work. Anyway, makes me wonder whether I could commission a custom inkwell of my own. Hmm...

 

 

Cheers!

 

Kevin

[betweenthelens]

 

Haha, if you say so. I'm still working on consistency/uniformity in my lettering, so I'm still a ways away from commission-worthy calligraphy

 

If you want, you can send it over if I find someone locally who can restore it! There are a few expert restorers here in the Philippines that work on all sorts of things, so I'm sure I can work something out once I get an inkwell of my own! XD

 

 

 

Fancy. Looking up info on Enver Hoxha at the moment, and it's really a fun read. Might keep me awake during slow moments at work. Anyway, makes me wonder whether I could commission a custom inkwell of my own. Hmm...

 

 

Cheers!

 

Kevin

 

Keep calligraphing! (That is a word!)

 

Thank you on restoration offer. I will more than likely find someone in the city as we live in such proximity to it.

Perhaps an item used during the Hoxha government of the time? Perhaps originally owned by someone well established and wealthy, i.e. a doctor or politician. You may have a one of a kind. The mind boggles.

That's a thought. I'm thrilled to own such a unique and lovely piece of history.

[Lyander0012]

 

Keep calligraphing! (That is a word!)

 

Thank you on restoration offer. I will more than likely find someone in the city as we live in such proximity to it.

That's a thought. I'm thrilled to own such a unique and lovely piece of history.

 

Haha, well, I'll just set aside the old Oxford I have readied just in case of such events and take your word for it!

 

On a less flighty note, if you do manage to find someone capable of restoring said inkwell, might I impose upon your proximity to theoretical restorer and, should I find an inkwell of my own that needs restoring, have you refer me as a potential customer? Of course, I'll only really bother with that if I somehow come into the possession of an inkwell as beautifully made as the one in this thread, as anything else would be a waste of shipping money.

 

 

(Tomorrow's my day off— to the hunt!)

 

Kevin

[betweenthelens]

 

Haha, well, I'll just set aside the old Oxford I have readied just in case of such events and take your word for it!

 

On a less flighty note, if you do manage to find someone capable of restoring said inkwell, might I impose upon your proximity to theoretical restorer and, should I find an inkwell of my own that needs restoring, have you refer me as a potential customer? Of course, I'll only really bother with that if I somehow come into the possession of an inkwell as beautifully made as the one in this thread, as anything else would be a waste of shipping money.

 

 

(Tomorrow's my day off— to the hunt!)

 

Kevin

Kevin, absolutely. I know the shipping would be a killer but one must figure that into the equation that indicates the importance of owning such a piece. I'll let you know if/when I come across a capable restorer.

[RMN]

You mentioned there is no closing for the outer box, but there is.

 

It is a copper prong, that should have a spring behind it, or is a spring itself (most likely)

On the outside of the box you see a little dirty bump. That is the actuator for the lock of the lid. Apparently yours does not work any more, as does mine. (I have a round one)

 

 

D.ick

[betweenthelens]

You mentioned there is no closing for the outer box, but there is.

 

It is a copper prong, that should have a spring behind it, or is a spring itself (most likely)

On the outside of the box you see a little dirty bump. That is the actuator for the lock of the lid. Apparently yours does not work any more, as does mine. (I have a round one)

 

 

D.ick

I need to find a reputable repairperson in this area.