Vintage Ink and Ink Bottles


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Ink Accessories Vintage Ink Ink Facts & Reviews


This page last updated on 5/16/13




Carter's Ink Cubes



This is the place to be for old ink bottles from the early 1800s up to the 1960s. Many of the bottles we have listed are strictly for the ink bottle collector. We also have a number of older ink bottles that still contain useable fountain pen inks which many fountain pen aficionados prefer over modern day inks.

In addition to our selection of vintage ink bottles on this page, you'll also find related items such as ink eraser fluids, rubber stamp inks and travelling ink bottle containers.


Old Inks in Your Pens

Many people ask us if they should use old ink and we believe this is another one of those common sense issues! We use 50+ year old ink frequently in new fountain pens and vintage fountain pens with excellent results. Before using old inks, you need to take a few precautions.

Vintage Ink Precautions:

1. Check to make sure there is no sediment, mold or other non-ink substance floating around or in the bottom of the bottle. Solids don't flow well, keep them in the bottle and out of your pens.

2. Look at the color of the ink, if it has taken on an odd hue that just doesn't look right - keep the ink in the bottle.

3. Unscrew the lid and take a little sniff, if you notice any unusual odor, screw the lid back on and refrain from using the ink.

Vintage Blue and Blue-Black inks
seem to have survived the years better than other colors of inks and are a pretty good place to start if you're looking to try vintage inks. Older Sheaffer Skrip, Parker Quink and Carter's Inks are generally pretty stable inks and we've had good results using these.

Never, never, ever use Drafting, Drawing or India Inks
in a fountain pen - these contain shellac which can gum up the insides of a fountain pen quickly. Early iron gall based inks can also be very corrosive to a fountain pen and I urge that you try them out with a dip pen or glass pen instead of a fountain pen.






The National Postal Museum website has some great information about V-Mail and how it worked during the Second World War. Many of the major ink manuafacturers made special V-Mail inks during WWII including Parker, Sheaffer, Staffords and others.





Vintage & Collectible Inks

I877
Sanford's Double Action - I877
SANFORD's Double Action Ink Eraser No. 298 - New old stock bright orange and brown tin with 2 amber bottles filled with the two solution ink eradicator. Tins and bottles are in pristine condition. I doubt that the ink eradicator would still be potent. Tin measures 2.5 wide x 1.25 deep x 2.75 inches tall.
$10
I985
Sanford No. 274 Blue Black Fountain Pen Ink - clear 1.5 ounce cylindrical bottle with light blue, dark blue, red and yellow label. Embossed Sanfords on bottom. This bottle would have originally had a cork stopper, but the stopper is missing. Ink dust in bottle. Measures 1.75 inches diameter and is 2 3/8 inches tall. Label in very good condition.
$25
I1008 Sheaffer SkripSheaffers Skrip Safeguard Ink No. OS, ca. 1950s. New old stock Sheaffers Automatic Safeguard Ink was used to refill Safeguard desk sets, the bottle was inverted and ink flowed to a reservoir which fed a fountain pen. 55cc clear bottles are full of red ink. We’ve spot checked the ink and it some of it has bits floating around inside the bottle, so I would suggest you not use this ink. Yellow and blue boxes. Note that condition varies on the boxes, all are in very good shape, but show varying signs of wear. $10
I1028 Visco Ink Bottle - I1028Visco Ink, Visco Chemical Products Co, Cleveland, OH - clear 4 oz ink bottle with cork stopper (no adornment on top, just a cork). Yellow, red and blue label with fountain pen illustrated. The label has several creases in the center area, bottom right label corner is missing. Bottle measures 2.5 inches square and is 2.75 inches tall. Ink dust in bottle. Unusual label, have not seen Visco Ink before. $25
I1034 Osmiroid Ink Bottle - I1034Osmiroid Red Calligraphic Ink, ca. 1980s, made by Hunt Speedball in Statesville, NC under license from ES Perry in England. Cone shaped 2 oz clear bottle. Plastic screw on lid is embossed on top with the Speedball "S", small amount of ink in bottle. Base of bottle is embossed: Hunt Mfgr Co, Statesville North Carolina, Speedball USA, Measures 2.25 dia and is 2.25 inches tall. $10
I1054 Bottle - I1054F. Werer Co Waterproof Drawing Ink, clear oz dropper bottle with black and white elaborate label. Embossed on bottom: F Werer Co Phila and in the center a quite detailed embossing of a Sphinx. Very dried up ink inside bottle. Cork style lid with dropper is loose. Some specks of ink on the label, but overall not too bad and quite unusual. $25
I1180
Parker Superchrome ink, ca. early 1950s, clear glass rectangular bottle with ribbed sides, black metal screw on lid with Parker imprint in silver. 3 ounce bottle. Blue Black, no ink, Illustration of Parker 51 fountain pen on label. Very good bottle and cap, light wear to label at top right edge.
$10
I1202
Sanford - I1202

Sanford's Penit White Ink in original box - clear - ounce diamond pressed glass bottle, white metal lid with black imprint: Sanford's White Ink Shake Well. Base measures 1.25 inches square and bottle is 1 7/8 inches tall. Dark blue box with white lettering and printing on all sides. Front: For Albums and Greeting Cards, Side: for Dark Colored Stationery, Back: The Smart Way & directions for use, Side: for scrapbooks. Big chunks of dried white ink inside bottle. Excellent condition.

$15
I1279 bottle

Parker 61 Instant Ink - ca. 1961. General consensus amongst the Parker gurus is that these are far more rare than the Parker 61 pens they're designed to be used with! Rarity does not always equate to expensive and these are much less than a Parker 61 fountain pen! Parker Instant Ink is a Super Quink Ink concentrate for use with the Parker 61. The idea was to plug the Instant Ink cartridge onto the end of the capillary filler, dunk in water, let it mix with the ink and feed into the pen. Ink cartridge is still sealed in the package. I doubt the ink concentrate is still usable, but I'll leave that for you to try if you decide to do so! Very good condition.

$12
I1280 bottle

Parker 61 Instant Ink - ca. 1961. General consensus amongst the Parker gurus is that these are far more rare than the Parker 61 pens they're designed to be used with! Rarity does not always equate to expensive and these are much less than a Parker 61 fountain pen! Parker Instant Ink is a Super Quink Ink concentrate for use with the Parker 61. The idea was to plug the Instant Ink cartridge onto the end of the capillary filler, dunk in water, let it mix with the ink and feed into the pen. Ink cartridge is still sealed in the package. I doubt the ink concentrate is still usable, but I'll leave that for you to try if you decide to do so! Most of package is missing, ink cartridge intact.

$10
I1355-VT
bottle

Thomas clear glass cone shaped ink bottle, embossed Thomas on bottom, 2 3/8 inches dia at base, 2 5/8 inches tall. Photo looks a little darker than it really is, there is some cloudy whitish discoloration inside the bottle.

$10
I1359-VT
bottle

Clear glass cone shaped ink bottle, no markings, 2 3/8 inches dia at base, 2 7/8 inches tall.

$8
I1375 bottle

Sanford’s PenIt Ink, Washable Blue - New Old Stock from the 1950s, 2 ounce glass bottles - pressed diamond pattern. Printed black metal screw on lid, original box. Unimpeachable Quality! The warranty printed on box reads: This ink is made of the finest ingredients obtainable; that fact and the experience of the Sanford organization is your warranty of unimpeachable quality. Bottle holds some ink dust. Beautiful bottle makes a great inkwell.

$15
I1376 bottle

Sanford’s PenIt Ink, Purple - New Old Stock from the 1950s, 2 ounce glass bottles - pressed diamond pattern. Printed black metal screw on lid, original box. Unimpeachable Quality! The warranty printed on box reads: This ink is made of the finest ingredients obtainable; that fact and the experience of the Sanford organization is your warranty of unimpeachable quality. Bottle holds some ink dust. Beautiful bottle makes a great inkwell.

$15
I1382 bottle

Figural Shoe Ink Bottle - ca. 1850s blown clear glass ink bottle is in the shape of a shoe. Measures 4 inches long, 1 1/8 inches wide and 1.5 inches tall. Figural inkwells such as these are rarely seen. This one is in excellent condition.

$100
I1385-VT bottlebottle

Sanford's No. 272 Pint Ink Bottle, amber bottl, pour spout lid is missing, partial label in original box. Measures 3 inches diameter x 7.25 inches tall. Illustrated inside of box flap are Ink Eraser in tin, Utopian Library Paste in Water Well Jar and Liqui-Stick. Just a hint of Permanent Blue-Black Fountain Pen Ink DUST in the bottom of bottle.

$20
I1386-VT bottle

Sanford's No. 272 Pint Sanford's Pint Ink Bottle, amber bottle, no pour spout lid, no label, embossed Sanford's Inks And Library Paste on side. Measures 3 inches diameter x 7.25 inches tall. Bottle is clean.

$15
I1387-VT bottle

Sanford's Half-Pint Ink Bottle, amber bottle, no pour spout lid, no label, embossed Sanford's Inks at lower edge of bottle. Measures 2.5 inches diameter x 5 7/8 inches tall. Unusual size. Bottle is clean.

$15
I1388-VT bottle

Levinson's Inks Bottle, quart master bottle, clear bottle, no lid, no label, embossed Levinson's Inks on shoulder. Measures 3 5/8 inches diameter x 9.5 inches tall. Bottle is clean.

$22
I1389-VT bottle

Cooper's Perpetual Writing Ink, no lid, most of the label still on bottle and nicely illustrated with an early fountain pen and the Rock of Gibraltar. Clear glass quart master bottle. Measures 3.5 inches diameter x 9 inches tall. Perpetual Blue ink residue in bottle.

$20
I1395 bottle

Early Pelikan clear glass bottle with rubber stopper. Stopper is embossed with the famous Pelikan logo - the Pelikan is in her nest with two baby birds. Label reads: Pelikan Cola Semi-Liquida Cont. Neto 16cc. Industria Argentina. One of my Argentinian friends kindly translated that Cola Semi-Liquida is similar to what we in the US know as rubber cement. Indeed there is some non-liquid brownish substance in the bottle that resembles rubber cement. The label also has a light coat of the same substance, but no interference with clearly being able to read the label. Bottle measures 1 3/8 inches diameter, height is 1 7/8 inches. Very unusual.

$20
I1412 bottle

Carter’s Rytoff Bottle - Rytoff was one of many names Carter's used over the years for their vast line of Ink Erasers and Ink Removers. This small concave sided amber glass bottle would have once been part of a kit inside a Carter's tin. Black faceted bakelite lid. There is liquid inside the bottle, but this stuff was taken off the market many decades ago, I don't think I'd try it. Bottle measures about 1.75 in side at base and is 2.75 inches tall. Very good condition with a great label.

$10
I1420 bottle

Parker Superchrome Ink Bottle, rectangular clear bottle with ribbing on two sides, black metal screw on cap is printed Parker in silver. Black and white label shows the Parker 51 fountain pen. Jet Black. 3 fluid ounces. Dried ink in bottle. Very good condition.

$15
I1421 bottle

Parker Superchrome Ink Bottle, rectangular clear bottle with ribbing on two sides, black metal screw on cap is printed Parker in silver. Black and white label shows the Parker 51 fountain pen. Jet Black. 3 fluid ounces. Dried ink in bottle. Little ink smudge on label, otherwise very good condition.

$12
I1424 bottle

T.M. Freund White Ink - Small approximately 1 ounce clear glass bottle with white metal screw on lid. Basic black and white label reads: White Ink Shake Well Do Not Blot, Thin With Water, Manufactured for and Distributed by T.M. Freund Co NYC NY. There is a small amount of solidified white ink in the bottom of the bottle. Very good condition.

$10
I1431 bottle

Carter’s Two Solution Ink Eradicator No. 492 - READ FIRST: This is a vintage collectible item, I am certain the chemicals in the solutions have broken down over time and it is not going to eradicate anything. Ink Eradicator was taken off the market many years ago. I tell you this because someone always asks!

Bright blue and white tin is marked: Carter's Two Solution Ink Eradicator No. 492. Dual Purpose. Takes out ink completely. Re-surfaces the paper. Inside the tin are two bottles, one amber and one clear, both have faceted bakelite lids. A small piece of cork separates the two bottles and instructions for use are included. Tin measures 2 1/8 in diameter, height is 3 1/8 inches. Nice, clean tin with great graphics in excellent condition.

$10
I1435 bottle

Carter's No. 495 Rytoff Ink Eradicator, ca. 1970s, amber cone shaped bottle with black plastic screw on cap. Red, white and black box. Measures 2 in dia and 2 1/8 in high. Bottle is empty.

$10
I1438 bottle

Caws clear glass ink bottle, front is embossed: Caws Ink & Pen Company New York. Base measures 2 1/8 in dia, height is 3.25 in. One small chip on applied lip. Very nice condition and a hard to find ink bottle.

$35
I1442 bottle

Carter's Two Solution Ink Eradicator, ca. 1950s, white, blue & black tin, two bottles inside, one clear, one amber with instruction pamphlet. Measures 2 in dia, height is 3 1/8 inches. Very crisp and clean tin!

$10
I1444 bottle

Carter's Rytoff Ink Eraser tin, red, black and white. Catchy graphics - Simple, Quick, Apply .. Then Blot. Single bottle inside. Measures 2 1/8 in dia, height is 3 1/8 in.

$10
I1445 bottle

Parker Quink VMail Microfilm Black, red, white, blue & black box. Vacumatic advertised on box flaps. Clear 2 oz art deco bottle with black metal screw on lid. Lid printed Parker Quink in silver. Ink dust in bottle.

$15
I1450 bottle

Parker Quink Micro-Film Black 2 ounce ink bottle, clear art deco ribbed styling, perfect black and white label, perfect metal screw on lid with silver metallic imprint. Just about full of ink, but be forewarned that Micro-Film black was pretty potent so use caution if you decide to use this ink. Includes red, white, blue and black box, one panel very faded, flaps advertise Parker Vacumatic pens.

$10
I1456 bottle

Early 1900s Sanford's printed linen pen wiper touting the virtues of Sanford's Drawing Ink. Printed in blue on white linen. ZigZag cut edges. It's been used a few times as is evident from the blue ink stains and has a few wrinkles and creases, but is definitely a neat old piece of Sanford Ink history. Measures 4 x 8 inches.

$10
I1457 bottle

Carter’s No. 481 Indelible Cloth Marking Ink Outfit - Complete boxed set includes wooden stretcher, red, white & blue labeled bottle of Indelible ink (ink dust inside), wood mini dip pen and Carter’s steel nib. Complete instruction pamphlet also included. Box measures 4.25 x 2 x 2.5 inches tall. Great graphics and a nice little kit from the late 1940s.

$10
I1467 bottle

Lovatt Pottery Ink Bottle - Small imprint on lower edge of this early stoneware master ink bottle with pour spout: Lovatt/Lovatt LT unevenly glazed in light and dark brown (remember that ink bottles in the 1860s were not works of art, but utilitarian vessels!). Measures 3.5 inches diameter, height is 7 1/8 inches. Very good condition.

$35
I1471 bottle

Parker Quink Permanent Red Ink Bottle, ca. 1940s, clear art deco styled 2 ounce bottle, black metal screw on cap is printed Parker Quink in silver. Just a little bit of red ink dust in the bottle. Crisp bright red and white label. Includes blue and white box with two remaining flaps advertising the Parker 51 and Vacumatic filling. Bottle is excellent, box shows shop wear on edges and is missing to top flaps.

$12
I1473 bottle

Parker Quink Permanent Royal Blue Ink, ca. 1940s, clear art deco styled 2 ounce bottle, black metal screw on cap is printed Parker Quink in silver. Just a little bit of royal blue ink dust in the bottle. Lower portion of label is worn. Includes blue and white box in very nice condition, Parker 51 illustrated on one flap.

$9
I1476 bottle

Parker Quink Permanent Red Ink, ca. 1940s, clear art deco styled 2 ounce bottle, black metal screw on cap is printed Parker Quink in silver. Full bottle of what appears to be useable permanent red Quink Ink. Bright label, excellent condition, box shows light shop wear.

$15
I1478 bottle

Parker Quink Microfilm Black V-Mail Ink bottle, ca. 1940s, World War II era, clear art deco styled 2 ounce bottle, black bakelite screw on cap. Dried Microfilm black ink inside the bottle. Very good label. Includes red, white, blue and black box, two flaps missing, two remaining flaps advertise Parker Vacumatic pens with Parker 51 illustrated. Bottle very good condition.

$12
I1479 bottle

Parker Superchrome Jet Black Ink, ca. 1950s, clear rectangular bottle with ribbing on the sides, Parker 51 fountain pen illustrated on the label. Black metal screw on cap printed Parker in silver. Very good label and bottle, rust on outer edges of the cap. Dried Jet Black ink inside bottle.

$6
I1480 bottle

Parker Superchrome Jet Black Ink, ca. 1950s, clear rectangular bottle with ribbing on the sides, Parker 51 fountain pen illustrated on the label. Black metal screw on cap printed Parker in silver. Very good label and bottle, rust on outer edges of the cap. Dried Jet Black ink inside bottle.

$10
I1488 bottle

Drafting Ink Bottle and Stand - Very, very heavy steel stand with old Higgins drafting ink bottle in the center. Common sense tells me that the ink bottle should come out of the stand to replace, but it doesn't, it's an ink bottle with steel cast around. So you would have to carefully refill it and it wouldn't have been unusual to refill a small bottle like this from a master ink anyway. Higgins bottle comes with stopper and glass dropper built in. Base measures 3 x 3.25 inches. Very unusual piece and I am pretty sure the metal stand was hand made just for this bottle.

$40
I1494 bottle

Sheaffer Skrip, Jet Black, 2 ounce bottle, flat metal cap with NO imprint (unusual), NO Skripwell and this bottle really should have one (very unusual), yellow and blue box printed in English and French. Bottle full of usable Skrip. This unusual bottle without a SkripWell is truly a collectible! Very good condition.

$20
I1495 bottle

Sheaffer Skrip, Jet Black, 2 ounce bottle, flat metal cap with NO imprint (unusual), NO Skripwell and this bottle really should have one (very unusual), yellow and blue box printed in English and French. Bottle full of usable Skrip. This unusual bottle without a SkripWell is truly a collectible, the bottle label is stained, but readable.

$15
I1497 bottle

Onward Writing Ink Bottle Clear, square ink bottle with a three sided red, black and white label: Amidst nice flourishes - Onward Writing Ink Red For Fountain and General Use Made in USA. Wood topped cork stopper style cap is painted red. There is still a little red ink in the bottom of the bottle. Measures 1.75 inches square, height is 2.5 inches. One tiny corner of the label on top left side is torn, otherwise very good condition. PLEASE NOTE: If you purchase and do not care for the ink which I would not recommend using, we would prefer to empty the ink out before shipping to avoid any leakage on the label.

$15
I1498 bottle

Thomas & Co. Ink Bottle with Portrait Lid Aqua Ink bottle has a very nice cork stopper lid of hard rubber with an embossed silhouette of Mr. Thomas. Ribbed edge on lid. Cork intact. Bottle is embossed on bottom: Thomas & Co 50. 1 5/8 inches square at base, height is 2 5/8 inches. No label, Very clean and very good condition with only a smooth nick to the shoulder rim. Not your everyday bottle!

$35
I1499 bottle

Fount-O-Ink Ink Bottle with Box No. 2S Fount-O-Ink Bottle with black and white box printed on every available side it could possibly be printed on! Catchy slogan on the box lid: Writes Every Time All The Time. This is an ink bottle that was intended to be inverted into a desk set and according to the box it would fix sets with round or hexagon base. Originally filled with Blue-Black ink but now empty. Beautiful Art Deco embossing on the sides of circular bottle, white metal lid is rusty, breather tube for ink still intact. Embossed Fount-O-Ink in star pattern on the base. Box very good with one flap loose, bottle very good aside from the rusty lid.

$15
I1503 bottles

Powdered Ink for Writing and Drawing - This would be fun for those of you who like to tinker with your ink or those who want the total historical writing experience. Recent production powdered ink, just add 2-3 ounces of warm water to the powdered ink and voila - liquid ink. I'm thinking I would use this with dip pens, quills or glass pens, but probably not fountain pens because it looks like it would have been sold in a historic gift shop that had a quill connection - think Colonial Williamsburg or Monticello or some place along those lines. In original sealed vintage look package.

$5
I1512 bottles

Higgins India Ink Bottle No. 4415, ca. 1970s, 1 ounce clear glass dropper style bottle with black and white label. Small amount of India Ink in the bottle. Includes black and white box, but it is well worn. Bottle in very good condition. This dropper style bottle makes a good bottle when cleaned up for ink mixing and storing your special colors.

$5
I1513 bottles

Higgins India Ink Bottle, No. 4415, ca. 1970s, 1 ounce clear glass dropper style bottle. No label, bottle is empty. Bottle in very good condition. This dropper style bottle makes a good bottle when cleaned up for ink mixing and storing your special colors.

$5
I1534 bottles

Blackwood & Co London Ink Bottle, ca. 1860s, aqua hexagonal hand blown glass bottle is embossed on two facets: Blackwood & Co London. Snap top bottle, this bottle was blown on a glass rod and snapped off from the rod which makes the opening edge a bit rough. Measures 1.75 inches at widest base points, height is 2.25 inches. Most of these small aqua English bottles are not marked with the maker. This bottle is very clean, no rusty inky residue that they sometimes acquire over the years. Excellent condition.

$40
I1535
bottles


bottles Renard Ink Powder with Package - Vintage French red ink powder with original outer package. Two small cardboard boxes filled with red ink powder, the small boxes are bright red with bright yellow printing and a great illustration of a fox. The red boxes have never been opened, I am sure they still contain ink powder, as to whether it is still stable, I'm not so sure. Makes one litre of ink. These two small boxes are inside the original outer wrapping paper, a sort of oilskin type heavy paper package with a Renard label on the front. The small red boxes are in absolutely pristine condition. The outer wrapper has been neatly opened on one end and overall is very good - label clearly readable and no tears in the package. Very interesting item from the early 1900s and in exceptional condition. This includes two red boxes of ink powder and the original outer paper packaging.
$60
New
I1536
bottles Sanford's Xit Ink Eraser, small amber glass bottle with brown rubber lid inside a tin printed in yellow, red, white and black. The Sanford's Xit logo and markings are on three sides, one side has lengthy and detailed instructions along with warnings for using on paper or cloth. No matter which brand of ink eraser or eradicator, it always came with a lot of warnings! I am certain that the liquid inside the bottle has degraded and is no longer useful. Tin shows just some light wear to edges, it is in very good condition. $40
New
I1538
bottles

Waterman's Ideal Permanent Blue-Black Ink, ca. 1940s, original yellow, blue, black and red box. Clear glass 2 ounce Tip-Fill bottle with black metal screw on lid, bottle is full of permanent blue black ink. No sediment and seems to be just like it should be. Definitely smells like old formula blue-black ink.
$30
New
I1539
bottles

Waterman's Ideal Permanent Blue-Black Ink, ca. 1940s, Clear glass 2 ounce Tip-Fill bottle with black metal screw on lid, bottle is just shy of being full of permanent blue black ink. No sediment and seems to be just like it should be. Definitely smells like old formula blue-black ink.
$25
New
I1540
bottles

Waterman's Ideal Permanent Black Ink, ca. 1940s, wonderful art deco skyline label marked Ideal for V-Mail. Clear glass 2 ounce Tip-Fill bottle with black metal screw on lid, bottle is full of permanent black ink. No sediment and seems to be just like it should be. Has that great old formula ink smell!
$20
New
I1541
bottles

Waterman's Ideal Permanent Black Ink, ca. 1940s, wonderful art deco skyline label marked Ideal for V-Mail. Clear glass 2 ounce Tip-Fill bottle with black metal screw on lid, bottle is full of permanent black ink. About half full of permanent black ink. Lower edge of label has small tear on left side.
$15
New
I1542
bottles

Waterman's Carnation Red Ink Bottle, ca. 1950s, slightly faded pinkish-red label with a red rose, Clear glass 2 ounce Tip-Fill bottle with bright red metal screw on lid, Carnation Red ink dust in the bottle.
$15
New
I1543
bottles

Waterman's Washable Blue Ink Bottle, ca. 1950s, slightly faded light and dark blue label with a white sea gull, Clear glass 2 ounce Tip-Fill bottle with black metal screw on lid, Washable Blue ink dust in the bottle.
$15
New
I1544
bottles

Waterman's Ideal Blue Black Ink Bottle, ca. 1920s, original yellow, blue, black and red box. Box shows shop wear and top flaps are missing, 2 ounce cylindrical clear glass bottle embossed black bakelite lid - Ideal Globe Waterman's Turn to Remove. Blue Black ink dust in bottle.
$25
New
I1549
bottles

Waterman's Ideal Green Ink Bottle, ca. 1920s, original yellow, green, black and red box. Box shows shop wear, 2 ounce cylindrical clear glass bottle embossed black bakelite lid - Ideal Globe Waterman's Turn to Remove. Just a hint of green ink dust in bottle.
$25
New
I1550
bottles

Waterman's Ideal Red Ink Bottle, ca. 1920s, 2 ounce cylindrical clear glass bottle embossed red hard rubber lid with cork attached - Ideal Globe Waterman's Ink. Ink stain on about half of the outer edge of the cap. Just a hint of red ink dust in bottle.
$20
New
I1551
bottles

Carter's Midnight Black Ink Bottle, ca. 1940s, 2.5 ounce ribbed oval clear glass bottle with black metal screw on lid. Nice art deco black, white and grey label, matching art deco box. About half full of Carter's Midnight Black permanent ink which appears to be have more red tones than normal, but smells as it should. New old stock.
$20
New
I1553
bottles

Parker Quink - Microfilm Black, WWII era Parker Microfilm Black Quink Ink, New old stock in original red, white, blue and black box, clear 2 ounce art deco styled bottle with black and white label. Black plastic screw on cap is embossed on the top: Parker Quink, also embossed on the cap edge with little pen nibs - love these little pen nibs! Box flaps advertise the Parker Vacuamtic Fountain Pen. Full of Microfilm Black ink. Use in fountain pens at your own risk, I personally would use with dip or glass pens as Microfilm Black doesn't stay as stable over the decades as some other inks. Excellent condition. Several Available.
$15
New
I1554
bottles
bottles

Sanford's Tin Marking Set No. 440 - This marking set is in an early tin and cardboard cylindrical container, the lid pulls off to reveal a tin base with spaces cut out for the small bottle of black marking ink and a small black wooden dip pen which would have been used to mark your clothing. The front states that this is for marking on all fabrics and many other materials, it is waterproof, laundry proof and not affected by salt water. The small clear glass bottle with black metal screw on lid has some ink residue inside. Brown cardboard cylinder is in very good condition as is all of the tin with exception of the lid which shows a lot of patina. Overall very good condition and an unusual Sanford's Tin.
$40



Vintage & Collectible Ink Cartridges

Ink cartridges, in their most common forms, have now been in existence for over 50 years, since the mid-1950s and have become a collectible in their own right. Some of the cartridges for early cartridge filling pens were proprietary style cartridges and the only way to get your pen working is to find original cartridges and refill with bottled ink using a needle-less syringe or small pipette. Some of the packaging on these older cartridges is of wonderful graphic design and appeals to those collecting advertising and packaging items. Many pen collectors enjoy including same brand inks and cartridges to go with their pen collection.


I1268 I1268

Parker Super Quink Ink Cartridges, Permanent Green - Marked for Parker and Eversharp cartridges, so they would date to the 1960s at least. Each cartridge has a little bit of ink in it, but it's the neat early package that appeals to me most. Five cartridges in pack. Front of package:
I1268

$5
I1285 cartridge

Parker Super Quink Cartridges, Permanent Red, cartridges are about half full of ink. New old stock package in very good condition. 5 cartridges per pack

$3
I1286 cartridge

Parker Super Quink Cartridges, Washable Blue, cartridges are about half full of ink. New old stock package in very good condition. 5 cartridges per pack

$3
I1288 cartridge

Parker Super Quink Cartridges, Permanent Red, cartridges are about half full of ink. New old stock package in very good condition. 5 cartridges per pack

$3
I1293 bottle

Sheaffer Skrip Ink Cartridges, ca. late 1950s - small white envelope contains 2 Sheaffer Skrip Ink Cartridges (the ink in cartridges has evaporated), the envelope is printed with very detailed instructions for installing the cartridge. Remember, cartridges were a rather new-fangled item in the 1950s. These small envelopes were included with Skripsert cartridge filling pens. New old stock, the envelope is in very good condition, leftover dealer stock.

$5



Vintage Ink & Bottle Related Resources

  • Evan Lindquist's Gallotannate Ink Recipe
    Evan Lindquist, artist, printmaker, penman and retired Professor of Art at Arkansas State University has experimented extensively with Gallotannate and other old style inks. We invite you to visit Evan's website to see how inks of days gone by were made.

  • Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors
    This association site offers up all sorts of ink bottle information as well as info on glass in general. Click on the link above to visit this very informative website.

  • Thompson Conservation - Manuscript Inks
    Lots of information on very old inks that pre-date fountain pens.

  • Ink Bottle Patents
    An article by Ed and Lucy Faulkner, well researched text and many illustrations of early ink bottles.

  • The Carter Ink Company
    An article by Ed and Lucy Faulkner, history of Carters, many photographs of unusual early Carter's Ink bottles.

  • The Original Higgins Ink, A Nevada Invention
    An article by Fred Holabird, fascinating account of the first Higgins ink bottles (not the ones made in Brooklyn!)

  • Dating Older Ink Bottles
    Digger Odell has some excellent general antique bottle information on his website, in particular a good section on how to determine when your ink bottles were made based on bottle characteristics such as mold seams, embossing, type of lid, etc.



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