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Imagine a writer sitting at his desk by candlelight or lantern during the early 1800's, using a quill pen and occasionally dipping it in ink. With the creation of writing fluids came the question of what to house it in. The origins of inkwells date back to cave dwellers, the early Egyptians and ancient Chinese. An inkwell is a small container often typically made from metal with glass inserts, used for holding ink. They were conveniently placed where the writer can easily access it. Sometimes inkwells served a duo purpose: holding ink and used as a paperweight. As the writer dipped his pen into the inkwell, he retracted what was needed to continue writing. Vintage inkwells are just as fascinating as the contents they hold. When thinking about collecting inkwells, be sure to thoroughly research an inkwell's period and material it is made from, to distinguish counterfeits and reproductions. Most inkwells produced prior to the 1800's may be found in museums. Usually, an inkwell has a hinged or screwed-on lid to prevent contamination, evaporation, accidental spillage, and excessive exposure to air. Many inkwell motifs were made in the shape of people, animals, geometric shapes, shoes and boats. You will find that inkwells were produced in a variety of materials like shells, pottery, wood, sandstone, porcelain, cast iron, bronze and brass. Many vintage pieces are heavily ornate with intricate details. Inkwells came in assorted categories: o Travel inkwells o Brush inkwells o Colored glass inkwells o Art Deco o Figural inkwells o Architectural o Tiffany o Pump inkwells Several companies sporting their names on the labels of ink bottles during the fame of the fountain pen were Quink, Carter's Ink, Sanford's Pen It, Hall's Ink, Pelikan, Visco Ink and Palmer's Ink. Ink wells, were sometimes used in advertising as a gift with purchase. With the design of pens carrying their own supply of ink, by the 1930's the need for inkwells declined. Here are some resources to refer to as you either begin or add to your vintage inkwell collection: o The Collector's Guide to Inkwells: Identification & Values (Paperback) by Veldon Badders o The Collector's World of Inkwells (Hardcover) by Jean and Franklin Hunting o The Write Stuff: Collector's Guide To Inkwells, Fountain Pens, and Desk Accessories by Ray and Bevy Jaegers You can find many vintage inkwells in antique shops, antique shows or gain information from SOIC. The Society of Inkwell Collectors (SOIC) was founded in 1981. It is dedicated to the establishment and enhancement of collecting inkwells and writing accessories as a hobby, and to the scholarly study of the role of inkwells and writing accessories in history. The SOIC provides its members with an opportunity to meet, communicate, and share information with inkwell collectors worldwide. The more we study the progression of writing, the more we continue to discover many elements that contributed to the success of writing. Inkwells clearly defined their importance as a necessary writing accoutrement. Functionality, along with rare beauty and design characteristics give inkwell collecting an incredible place in writing history. order essay
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