History Written in Ink

Most young people today have never actually used ink (or even know how to write by hand). But those of you who are “vintage” may actually remember one of these bottles, at least the one at far right. Photo courtesy of Fountain Pen Love.

Notes by Ralph Finch

While trying to research a particular antique glass ink bottle company I came across a website on “vintage” ink. It is very readable and with really great photos. If you want to learn more, go to: https:// fountainpenlove.com/fountain-pen-ink/ identifying-vintage-fountain-pen-ink-bottles-and-boxes. (Or, in short: “Fountain Pen Love.”)

I took the liberty of borrowing the introduction (and the photo of Sheaffer bottles). The site, compiled by John Bosley, explains: “Long before the incredibly diverse selection of fountain pen inks and manufacturers we currently know existed, there was a much smaller variety available. The number of manufacturers could be counted on two hands and colors were more or less limited to very subtle variations of blue, black, red, green, purple and brown. Still, there is a certain charm and satisfaction to using vintage fountain pen inks, especially if you also use vintage fountain pens. There’s something special about filling a pen that was made in the 1940s with ink that is from the same era.

“Collecting vintage fountain pen ink can be enjoyable and rewarding. It can also be overwhelming if you’re just getting started. There isn’t much information out there to help you identify or date the various bottles and boxes you’ll come across. In this post, I’d like to help you with identifying vintage fountain pen ink bottles and boxes. Years back, I actually wrote and self-published a book about vintage inks. In fact, most of the text in this article comes from that book. I spent almost a year sifting through old magazine advertisements, manufacturer catalogs and doing other research to come up with, what I believe to be, the most comprehensive vintage ink identification guide around.”

In one post he focused on “the ‘Big 3’ vintage American pen and ink manufacturers: Parker, Sheaffer and Waterman. While their inks may not be very exciting compared to modern inks, 70 years ago their inks made up the majority of what was on the market.”

I was particularly interested in Bosley’s section that warned his readers that: “Time has proven that this ink was dangerous for more reasons than its high velocity. Simply put, it eats pens. So, if you find a bottle of this ink and decide to use it (which is not recommended), make sure that you do not use it in pens of any value.” FYI: John Bosley explains: “I’ve been using and collecting fountain pens for over 20 years. I got my first one in college when I got bored taking notes with ballpoints and pencils. Since then I’ve bought and sold hundreds of pens.” Bosley’s collection includes inks ranging from the late 1800s to the 1960s. Years back, he even wrote a book about vintage inks, and added: “On any given day, you’ll find at least one of my pens filled up with an ink that’s more than 70 years old.”

Unfortunately, in response to a question about an early ink bottle, he replied: “Thanks for your note! Despite wanting to write everything by hand, sometimes email is just too convenient. :-)

“To be honest, I know next to nothing about ink bottles pre-1930s, especially by manufacturers that didn’t make fountain pens. I have acquired some random old bottles through the osmosis of collecting, but to me they are just pretty things on my shelf that are loosely connected to fountain pens. Sorry I can’t be of more help!”

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To contact Bosley, write john@fountainpenlove.com