Pen and Ink

Writing this particular blog is giving me the distinct feeling of being OLD. Yes, I have actually lived in an era when my school work was written in ink! I seem to remember that it was a big moment when you were allowed to lay down your pencil and take up the fountain pen and I’d completely forgotten about needing blotting paper.

I’m considering going back to it. For convenience, a ballpoint is great, but you can’t beat an ink pen for precision.

Writing in Ink

I’d relish the chance to use an old ink stand. Admittedly it might only be for writing out birthday and Christmas cards, nevertheless, I can picture myself sat at my desk scribbling away. The problem is, I can also picture myself getting ink all over the place!

Sevres Style Desk Set

The first item on my hit list of being removed from my stock would be this iridescent inkwell and stand. As it’s so very beautiful, I fear there might be a dress code to follow before I can use it.

Loetz Iridescent Glass Ink Well

I love the below inkwell in particular because although Glassblowers throughout history have always made whimsies (friggers) in their breaks and spare time. These French inkwells called Revanche Encrier (Revenge Inkwell) go beyond a side hustle and was a vehicle for the glassblowers to show off their technical and artistic abilities….I like to think it may have been a two finger salute to the bosses.

Revanche Encrier Ink Well

In an era where letter writing was a daily task, you also couldn’t be without your writing slope. I’ve actually tried to write on a slope and found it a bit cumbersome. Writing slopes seem to have fallen out of favour with the collectors so if I acquire one that has gone to far, I usually end up repurposing them as memory boxes. I know it’s a shame but at least they live on.

The one below escaped being converted but did have to have all the stinky innards removed. Prior to being re-lined it really did pen and ink!

Antique Writing Slope

Tracy Skeates