Show Us Your...Inkwells

[jamespowers]

I'll have to get pictures of one I picked up at a garage sale for $3. The top is cracked but what do you expect from old plastics?

 

[Widebrim]

^^True...

 

[jamespowers]

^^True...

It is a shame though being that nice brownish marbled look. I bought it not long after I got back from the QM with your seminar fresh in my mind.
"Hmmm....this looks like something I should own rather than let it sit out in the weather here."

 

[Widebrim]

^^I know what you mean; it's sort of like being a rescuer of stray cats...

 

[jamespowers]

^^I know what you mean; it's sort of like being a rescuer of stray cats...

I suppose it would help if I had an ink pen for it.

 

[Auld Edwardian]

OK, I'll join in, these were all once owned by my father in laws father.

This has an onyx base. It's very heavy.

Unfortunately the base on the glass desk set broke some time ago & the clock hasn't worked for years. The inscription reads, "To Capt C P Leeds from the staff of The Mayfair Theatre, Xmas 1933".

May I make some helpful suggestions. As the base is plate glass, and have a new bevel one made, and no one would be the wiser. Also, you could locate a reputable clock repair shop and have the movement serviced. However if you decide to have the clock repaired "do not" allow them to put in a quartz movement in lieu of repairing the original. This only ruins an antique clock.

 

[Auld Edwardian]

They are very easy to find on the internet. But be warned. You need to have better paper to write on or they are very unforgiving and the ink bleeds. I t is also a good idea in invest in a good blotter. Besides being practical, they dress up a desk nicely.

 

[Widebrim]

^^Good points. I have often tried to use a dip pen (or fountain pen) on cheaper paper, and it can be challenging. And as you mentioned, an inkwell does dress up a desk...

 

[Auld Edwardian]

^^Good points. I have often tried to use a dip pen (or fountain pen) on cheaper paper, and it can be challenging. And as you mentioned, an inkwell does dress up a desk...

Another thing about cheap paper. It has a tendency to get caught in the nib, and with a finer point nib can actually cause damage to it. Whenever I decide to use one of my fountain pens I get out a good linen bond paper. The two then work together nicely and the pen glides across the paper. Just like Astaire & Rogers.

Eph. 2:8-9

 

[Widebrim]

Eph. 2:8-9

And a great quote; by grace alone.

 

[1930artdeco]

Can you still get ink for these?

 

[Widebrim]

^^Yes, you can, at stationery (the few that still exist), office supply, and art supply stores. The price of a bottle of ink has gone up quite a lot in the last 10 years, but you can still occasionally find bottles marked down.

Here's another one from the collection: A Morrisset model B inkwell, c.1940s. Morrisset inkwells were very popular, and this particular model also came in red, brown, and white. (My first inkwell, which I still possess, was a red model B.) A Morrisset ink bottle was needed to go inside the dome, which this particular is embossed with the seal of the state of California. An added advantage with Morrisset is that the pen points (nibs) could easily be removed and replaced with whatever width the used desired.

 

[jamespowers]

^^Yes, you can, at stationery (the few that still exist), office supply, and art supply stores. The price of a bottle of ink has gone up quite a lot in the last 10 years, but you can still occasionally find bottles marked down.

Here's another one from the collection: A Morrisset model B inkwell, c.1940s. Morrisset inkwells were very popular, and this particular model also came in red, brown, and white. (My first inkwell, which I still possess, was a red model B.) A Morrisset ink bottle was needed to go inside the dome, which this particular is embossed with the seal of the state of California. An added advantage with Morrisset is that the pen points (nibs) could easily be removed and replaced with whatever width the used desired.

That is the exact one I have but without the seal and without the pen. Interesting.

 

[Widebrim]

^^I may be able to get you a pen and holder for it...

 

[jamespowers]

^^I may be able to get you a pen and holder for it...

I thought the inkwell was the holder. hmmmm.... PM me with details.

 

[Auld Edwardian]

Can you still get ink for these?

You most surely can! You can find it at better stationary stores, but even at places like Office Max and Staples and you can even find it on line. Some good fountain pen ink is made by Pelikan, Parker, Pilot-Namiki, and even Higgins. (Even though Higgins would hardly be my first choice if better ones were available) A word of warning, NEVER USE INDIA IN IN A FOUNTAIN PEN!!! IT WILL CLOG IT VERY BADLY!!! Also if you are not going to use your pen for a while, drain it out and flush it out with warm water on let it dry out. This will save you from a lot of heartache by having ink dry in the pen and fouling the parts and requiring the pen to cleaned, and possibly even having to be sent out for servicing. Pens requiring servicing can be sent to a place in New York City called "The Fountain Pen Hospital." They are a very reputable firm, and have been around since 1946. I have not used their services myself, however a good friend of mine has used their services several times and been very satisfied in the repair of several of his valuable fountain pens. Also for those considering desk type dip style pens, you basically treat them the same as your would a fountain pen. Use good ink. Clean them from time to time, don't let them dry out with ink in them, wash them out and let them dry when they are not going to be used for an extended period of time. Also remember to use good paper to write on. Fountain & dip pens are very unforgiving on cheap paper, and the ink will bleed terribly. An important piece of advice. These type of pens require only the lightest amount of touch on the paper to write, they write a light as a feather. Bearing down will only make a mess, possibly tear the paper, and might ruin the nib of the pen. I tell people this not to discourage people from considering purchasing this type of writing implement, as using one is a very graceful and pleasant way to write, but to "show people the ropes" so they are not frustrated by not knowing how to get acceptable results. If you are willing to give it an honest try, you will most likely find it a very pleasant and elegant way to write.

Fountain Pen Hospital Link: http://www.fountainpenhospital.com/?s=gaw&gclid=CJuTsIKah7MCFcSd4AodoDIACg

 

[Widebrim]

^^Good info. And if you live in the Los Angeles area, you can rely on The Fountain Pen Shop in Monrovia. It was established around 1922 in L.A., but moved to the present location about 15 years back. The owner, Fred Krinke (a USAAF vet), is the grandson of the founder, and an area icon.

 

[Widebrim]

I thought the inkwell was the holder. hmmmm.... PM me with details.

I was referring to the pen holder. Yeah, I'll send you a PM.

 

[2jakes]

You most surely can! You can find it at better stationary stores, but even at places like Office Max and Staples and you can even find it on line. Some good fountain pen ink is made by Pelikan, Parker, Pilot-Namiki, and even Higgins. (Even though Higgins would hardly be my first choice if better ones were available) A word of warning, NEVER USE INDIA IN IN A FOUNTAIN PEN!!! IT WILL CLOG IT VERY BADLY!!! Also if you are not going to use your pen for a while, drain it out and flush it out with warm water on let it dry out. This will save you from a lot of heartache by having ink dry in the pen and fouling the parts and requiring the pen to cleaned, and possibly even having to be sent out for servicing. Pens requiring servicing can be sent to a place in New York City called "The Fountain Pen Hospital." They are a very reputable firm, and have been around since 1946. I have not used their services myself, however a good friend of mine has used their services several times and been very satisfied in the repair of several of his valuable fountain pens. Also for those considering desk type dip style pens, you basically treat them the same as your would a fountain pen. Use good ink. Clean them from time to time, don't let them dry out with ink in them, wash them out and let them dry when they are not going to be used for an extended period of time. Also remember to use good paper to write on. Fountain & dip pens are very unforgiving on cheap paper, and the ink will bleed terribly. An important piece of advice. These type of pens require only the lightest amount of touch on the paper to write, they write a light as a feather. Bearing down will only make a mess, possibly tear the paper, and might ruin the nib of the pen. I tell people this not to discourage people from considering purchasing this type of writing implement, as using one is a very graceful and pleasant way to write, but to "show people the ropes" so they are not frustrated by not knowing how to get acceptable results. If you are willing to give it an honest try, you will most likely find it a very pleasant and elegant way to write.

This is great information for me. I just recently purchased my first "vintage" fountain pen.
Parker Duo-fold Sr. (1926) & was looking for correct methods of handling & cleaning.
Do you use warm water to clean the interior parts of all your fountain pens ?
Or do you use cold water on older pens ? This is with regards to the inside bladder and
I thought the warm water would distort the sac. I just got the pen & haven't had to clean
it yet.
Thanks !

.

 

[alanfgag]

Here is the inkwell I keep on my desk. I used to have quite a thing for pens and writing stuff - now I use pencils most of the time. I've never succeeded in finding a studio mark on this.