Inkwells & Writing

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All our stock is old, original, in excellent order and ready for use. We carry no modern or reproductions. We welcome your telephone calls +44 (0)1488 682317 or by email to hofgartner@belowstairs.co.uk for further information on any of the catalogue items or your other requirements or if you have any difficulties ordering through our system.

Online Catalogue > Inkwells & Writing


	British & General Tube Desk Blotter A132 Original, quality pre-war brass mounted 'D' shaped desk blotter. This good example is engraved to the top for "The British & General Tube Co Ltd, Drayton House 30 Gordon Street London WCI". Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good and working order. 6.25" x 3.25" x 1.25" tall. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £95.00


	Brown Stoneware Ink Bottle with labels BJ180 Original, quality 1920's brown glazed stoneware ink bottle with a pouring lip and the original paper label, although a little tatty. This jar is impressed for the maker "Bourne of Denby" and the label details the original contents "Stephens Blue Black Writing Fluid". Complete and in good order. 7.5" tall. 3.25" diam. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £30.00


	Silver Inlaid Ink Blotter BL2 Original, quality late 19th century silver pin inlaid wooden ink blotter with a crescent shaped base, a removable top section to secure the blotting paper and a wooden threaded knob to secure the top after renewing the blotting paper. This super example is decorated overall with inlaid designs of silver wire and silver pins. A serious work of art. May be continental even Indian ? Nevertheless, complete and in good and working order. Total 7" x 2.75". 3" tall. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £185.00


	Squirrel Tail Filing Board CP1 Original, quality late 19th century unused patent file. This very, very clean example has all the original black japanned paint and backboard in unbelievable condition. The cast iron top mount is embossed "B. Lawrence Staty. Co. New York", "The Squirrel-Tail File", "Patented in France Germany & Austria" and the lower cast iron hole punch is embossed "Patented Sept 9 1890". All is complete and in good and working order. Backboard 12" x 7.25" x 0.25". Total 4" tall. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £115.00


	Leather Covered Filing Tray FC6 Original, quality pre-war light tan coloured leather covered desk top filing tray with inset cover. The upper surfaces have tooled gilt inlays and the undersides have the original marbled paper. General scuffs and rubs to the leather but no stains or damage and complete and in good and usable condition. The first we have seen in good order. 10.75" x 8.5" x 2.75". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £115.00


	Brass Straw Hat Inkstand IW116 Original, quality circa 1900 / 1920's cast brass inkstand in the realistic form of a straw hat in miniature. This super example has the straw-like and ribbon embossed detail, a replacement brass liner made to suit and is all in the original unpolished matt gilt finish. All is now complete and in good and working order and could be polished to shiny brass on request for no extra cost.. 1" tall . 4.5" diam. Liner 1.75" diam. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £85.00


	Brass Cauldron Inkstand IW115 Original, quality mid 19th century cast brass inkstand in the realistic form of a three-legged cauldron. This example has a swing-over handle, a hinged lid, a replacement brass liner and is mounted on a circular ebonised wooden plinth. This superb example has a registration lozenge mark for the year 1859. All has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and is now complete and in good and working order. 4.5" tall. Plinth 4.5" diam. Liner 1.25" diam. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £185.00


	Brass Inkwell IW114 Original, quality late 19th century cast brass inkwell with a replacement brass liner, four ball feet, an embossed design of entwining fish and a hinged lid to the top. Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good and working order. 4" tall including finial. Base 4.25" square. Liner 1 5/8" diam. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £68.00


	Pewter Inkstand IW113 Original, quality 1920's / 30's Pewter Inkstand with a white ceramic liner, a hinged cover and the base for a pen tray. Complete and in good and working order. Base 10" x 5" front to back. Total height 4" tall. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £56.00


	Inkstand With Relics from St Johns Westminter Built 1709 IW112 Original, quality inkstand fashioned using relics and timber from "St Johns of Westminster Church, built in 1709 and destroyed by enemy action May 10th 1941". The original blacksmith made wrought iron nail is engraved as such and the old brass and glass inkwell which fits well is an old replacement. All is complete and in good order. Plinth 13.5" x 6.25". Including inkwell 4.25" x tall. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £385.00


	Arts & Crafts Inkwell with Brush Wipe IW111 Original, quality circa 1880, boat shaped brass inkstand with a pierced design to the sides and back, a pen wipe inset brush section to the front and a lift-out square glass inkwell with a brass hinged ebony lid to the top and a hobnail cut design to the underside. The brass is in the original unpolished finish but can be polished and lacquered on request for no extra cost. All is complete and in good and working order. The pen is for display only. 3" tall x 5" x 2.5". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £230.00


	Dowlers Patent Glass Inkwell IW108 Original, quality mid 19th century moulded glass inkwell with an embossed lock on / off brass top mount and lid. The lid is detailed "George Dowlers Anti Corrosive, Regd December 28th 1857". The top mount in brass is polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and has a bayonet fitting to lock on with. One minor chip to the base otherwise complete and in good and working order. 3.25" tall x glass base 5" diam. 1.25" top aperture. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £100.00


	Brass Dairy Can / Inkwell IW107 Original, quality late 19th century miniature all brass dairy can with a brass swing handle and a hinged top lid revealing a white ceramic liner / inkwell. All has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and is complete and in good and working order. 2.25" tall with handle down + 2.5" x 1.75". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £125.00


	Glass Travelling Inkwell IW106 Original, quality circa 1900, square cut glass inkwell with a screw-on brass cap. This style of inkwell was most likely from a fitted writing slope. The brass has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and all is complete and in good order with no chips or blemishes. 1.75" x 1.75" x 1.5" tall. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £30.00


	Arts and Crafts Copper Inkwell IW92 Original, quality circa 1900, copper inkwell mounted on a pen tray, all in the Aesthetic Movement style with a hinged lid to the inkwell and three roseatte motifs in relief. The whole has a medieval feel and has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. The unpolished underside has the logo for the manufacturer "Jesson Burket & Co of Birmingham" and the copper Ink has a small white / ceramic inkwell with a tiny chip, otherwise all is complete and in good and working order. 3" tall. Width 8.25" x 6" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £185.00


	Advertising Ceramic Inkwell IW90 Original, quality 1920's white ceramic inkwell to fit into the top of a school desk, but the first we have seen with a printed advert to the top. This example details "Gee Walker & Slaters Ltd. Derby. Desk". In super condition. Complete and in good and working order. 1.5" tall. 1.75" top diam. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £38.00


	Cut Glass Inkwell IW82 Original, quality late 19th century large square clear glass inkwell with a hobnail cut design to the underside, a brass hinge and collar to the lid and a facet cut glass lid. The brass has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. One minor chip to one corner otherwise complete and in good order. 3" square. 4" tall. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £56.00


	Cut Glass Inkwell IW72 Original, quality, late 19th century, square cut glass inkwell with a good decoration and a hinged glass cap with brass mounts. The brass has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and all is complete and in good order. Base 2.25" x 2.25". 3.5" tall. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £45.00


	Satin Glass Inkwell IW62 Original, quality, late 19th century, square inkwell in diagonal ribbed, peach coloured satin glass, with the matching hinged lid and a clear glass lift out liner. The brass collar has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. All is complete and in good order, with not a chip or crack in sight. A most unusual inkwell ready to use. 3.5" x 3.5". 5" tall. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £85.00


	Brass and Glass Inkstand IW43 Original, quality, late 19th century, very decorative cast brass inkstand, with a screw on cut glass inkwell to the centre. The stand is of a clover leaf shape, with embossed decoration of leaves, stems and mythical beast heads and an acanthus leaf trim to the outer rim, all standing on three ball feet. The inkwell has a brass collar and hinge to the cut glass lid and apart from a few minor chips to the inside of the cap, all is complete and in good and working order. The underside has a maker's mark of "AFC" and all has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. A most unusual example. 8.5" widest x 4.75" tall including inkwell. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £68.00


	Whipple Tree Letter Clip LC63 Original, quality late 19th century superb letter clip with a well-proportioned miniature triple Whipple Tree in wood and brass, mounted on the original honey-coloured oak plinth. Fully overhauled, with a good sprung action. The brass is polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra and all is complete and in good and working order. Plinth 9.5" x 5" x 0.75". Total tall 2". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £450.00


	Brass Letter Clip LC62 Original, quality late 19th century pressed brass and tin letter clip with a hanging ring to the top, an embossed design to the brass front to include "AI" and a very tiny registration lozenge mark too small to read clearly but confirming this item is late 19th century. Cleaned and polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good and working order. 5.5" x 3" x 1.25" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £68.00


	Cast Iron Letter Clip LC61 Original, quality late 19th century cast iron letter clip in the original bronzed finish with an embossed design to the upper surface and a checkered backplate for grip. The backplate has a circular hole for wall hanging and a good strong spring action. Complete and in good and working order. 4.75" x 3". 1" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £56.00


	Hand Letter Clip LC58 Original, quality 1920's pressed nickel plated on brass letter clip in the form of a hand with a fancy cuff holding a letter. This clip has a pressed tin backplate with a rear loop for hanging on a hook. Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. This example has a good strong spring and is complete and in good and working order. 5.75" tall x 2.75" widest. 1.75" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £85.00


	J. Ratcliff Brass Letter Clip LC57 Original, quality late 19th century all brass letter clip in the form of a Lady's hand with a fancy cuff. The reverse is embossed "J. Ratcliff Patentee Birmingham" and all has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. With a good strong spring and complete and in good and working order. Backplate 5.25" x 2.5". Total 5.25" x 2.5". 1.5" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £125.00


	Brass Letter Clip LC52 Original, quality late 19th century brass letter clip mounted on the original honey coloured oak backboard. The brass clip is embossed with roses and leaves and is in the old unpolished finish. Complete and in good and working order. Backboard 4.75" x 3" x 0.5". Total 1.5" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £115.00


	Brass Letter Clip LC51 Original, quality 19th century brass letter clip in the old unpolished finish. This example has a ring to the top for hanging, a backplate decorated with acanthus leaves, a steel spring and a front clip section embossed with the Royal Coat of Arms and the maker's details "Merry Phipson & Parker", "Reg. Oct 3rd 1843" and "No 24". All is complete and in good and working order. 5" x 2". 1.75" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £115.00


	Perry Brass Letter Clip LC48 Original, quality circa 1900, pressed brass letter clip with a hanging ring to the backplate and an embossed design of a horseshoe with a jockey's hat on top to the front. Detailed for the maker "Perry & Co London". Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good and working order. 4" tall, 2.25" widest. 1" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £115.00


	Horseshoe Letter Clip LC41 Original, quality, late 19th century letter clip in the form of a brass horseshoe, sprung mounted on a super rectangular shaped oak backboard. The tip of the horseshoe is impressed "FW & S" for the manufacturer. A good strong spring. The brass has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. Complete and in good and working order. Backboard 7" x 5.75". Total 1.25". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £185.00


	Cast Iron Letter Embosser LE18 Original, quality late 19th century cast iron letter embosser with the original paintwork to the press and fitted with an unknown two piece letter embossing plates. The maker or wholesaler of this press is detailed to the rear end for "H.T. Woodrow & Co Ltd Liverpool". Some chips to the paintwork, otherwise all is complete and in good and working order. Base 6.75" x 3.25". Total 6.5" tall. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £85.00


	Cast Iron Letter Embosser LE17 Original, quality circa 1900 / 1920's cast iron letter embosser with the original paintwork and decoration. This example was used for business documents and is fitted with two brass padlocks in a brass locking bar ( with two keys for each ). The two padlocks obviously have different keys and are fitted to ensure it needs two independent key holders to be present before the embosser can be used on legal documents etc. The brass has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and all is complete and in good and working order. The stamp reads "Bartrums Ltd". 5.5" tall x 8" long plus 3" wide. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £230.00


	Freelance Geological Society Rubber Stamp, 2 available LE14 Original, quality pre-war Rubber Letter Stamp with mahogany handle and back mount. The rubber details "Freelance Geological Society". Complete and in good order. Total 3" x 1". 2.75" letters. Price is for each. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £45.00


	Cowhorn Letter Opener LO29 Original, quality pre-war letter opener fashioned in cow horn and originally purchased in Scotland. Complete and in good and working order. 8.5" x 1" x 1". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £34.00


	Brass Letter Opener LO26 Original, quality 1920's brass letter opener in the oriental style with embossed detail of fans and mirrors with faces to the handle / grip. All has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and is complete and in good and working order. 12" x 1" x 0.25" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £115.00


	Castle Laundry Letter Opener LO25 Original, quality 1930's chromed letter opener impressed to the grip "Castle Laundry Ltd Bournemouth" and to the other both side a patent number and a registration number for the year 1933. Complete and in super condition. 9.25" x 0.75". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £38.00


	Brass Letter Opener LO16 Original, quality 1920's brass letter opener in the oriental style, with engraved detail to the blade and embossed to the handle to both sides, with the mark of a god, with antlers on its head and with floral detail above. All has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and is complete and in good and working order. 12" x 1.25" x 0.5". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £145.00


	Brass and Walnut Letter Rack LR67 Original, quality late 19th century brass wire letter rack mounted on a walnut rectangular base on brass ball feet. Each panel of brass has a brass mesh and all has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost. All is complete and in good and working order. 6" tall. 6.75" x 3.25". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £125.00


	Wall Mounted Letter Rack LR56 Original, quality 1920's wall hanging brass on oak letter rack with three pierced brass panels with a shield device to each and a shaped honey coloured oak backboard with a hole to the top. The brass has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and all is complete and in good and working order. Backboard 12" x 5.5". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £85.00


	Pair of Brass Letter Racks LR55 Original, quality pair of mid 19th century brass three tier letter racks in the original unpolished green patinated finish. This superb pair has very detailed embossed designs of fuchsia flower and leaves to each tier and are mounted on rectangular bases with acanthus leaf borders. Some old repairs, some stamens missing from the lower flowers on rack and both the bases have been refilled with plaster of Paris as original. All is complete and in good order otherwise but no signs of a maker's details. Base 3.5" x 2.5". Total 7" tall. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £300.00


	Brass Letter Rack LR47 Original, quality, late 19th century, pressed brass wall mounted letter rack on the original shaped, honey coloured oak backboard, with a brass ring for hanging. This larger than average letter rack has a shell form flanked by a pair of opposing mythical fish. The brass has been polished and lacquered and all is complete and in good order. Backboard 7.75" x 5.5". Total 2" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £135.00


	Terry's Steel Clip Lamp Bracket M134 Original, quality 1920's strong wrought iron spring clip produced by Terry's of Redditch ( The inventor of the Angle Poise lamp ). This was manufacturer to enable a cycle lamp to be clipped to the basket on the front or rear of a cycle or motor cycle. The front is detailed "Terrys Clip Lamp Bracket Patented" and "Doctors say Terry's Saddle Protects the Spinal Nerves & Prevents Soreness". Cleaned and lacquered and complete and in good and working order. 3.5" tall x 2" wide. 1.25" front to back. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £68.00


	Trench Art Brass Letter Opener M107 Original, quality brass letter opener in the form of a scimitar sword, fashioned from First World War military scraps with a bullet case for the handle with a crown plaque applied and a fretted out curved blade, punch engraved "Alsace". Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good and working order. 8.25" x 1.25" x 0.5". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £56.00


	Trench Art Brass Letter Opener, 4 matching available M103 Original, quality First World War "trench art" decorated letter openers, fashioned using 3mm bullets and scrap brass to fashion the scimitar shaped blade. The blade is punch engraved "Souvenir" to one side and some initials to the other and all are mounted with a Royal Engineers brass button to the end of the grip. Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good order. 7.5" x 1" 0.5". Price is for each. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £45.00


	Brass Travelling Calipers N27 Original, quality pair of late 19th century brass and steel mapping calipers in a tapered tubular brass cover with a suspension eye. All has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and is complete and in good and working order. Could this be nautical for chart work or mapping etc ? It's certainly of super quality and the first we have seen. Complete and in good and working order. 6" x 0.5" x 0.5". Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £85.00


	WT&S Brass Desk Tidy PT2 Original, quality 1920's cast brass desk tidy in the detailed form of a "Boar" Pig. The underside is impressed with the sun logo and "WT&S" for the manufacturer 'William Tonks & Son of Birmingham', has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and is complete and in good order. 2.75" wide x 4.75" long x 0.5" tall. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £68.00


	Pig Pen Wipe PW2 Original, quality 1920's pen wipe in the form of a pig in 'Metac' a softish metal alloy in the original grey finish. A lifelike form with Bristles to the top cavity and hair-like detail to the body, stylised and larger than the average pen wipe. A most unusual example. Complete and in good and working order. 5.5" long x 2" wide. 3" tall. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £115.00


	Glass Rolling Ruler, 2 available R51 Original, quality 1920's clear glass tube, acid etched to one side "Use Moncrieffs Inks". This 12" long tube was a rolling ruler used with dip pens to draw horizontal lines. This is the first we have seen and all is complete and in good order. 12" x 0.75" diam. Price is for each. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £65.00


	Cedar Rolling ruler with Pencil and Eraser R36 Original, quality, circa 1900, cedar rolling ruler, with a concealed pencil to one end and eraser to the other. Manufactered by 'Hogarth and Hayes, of Keswick' and engraved "Ellen Eaton", persumably for the previous owner. Complete and in good and working order. 12.25" long x 1.2" widest diameter. Pencil 7" long with ferrule. Eraser 2" long with ferrule. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £85.00


	2 Piece Ceramic Stamp or Envelope Lick SB8 Original, quality 1920's two piece white ceramic stamp / envelope lick of large proportions "office size". This clean example is transfer printed to the front to the maker "Terston Series" with a crown and "Made in England" and with the registration number for the year 1929. Complete and in good and working order. Water tray base 4.5" x 3". Total 5" long. 2.5" tall. Click on photo for larger and other views. Price: £85.00


	Trench Art Letter Opener SC250 Original, quality First World War brass bullet case, 'trench art' fashioned into a letter opener with a scimitar sword shaped brass blade. Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and complete and in good order. 7.5" x 2" x 0.5". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £56.00


	Olivewood Page Turner T34 Original, quality 1920's small sized, page turner in Olivewood with painted decoration with a swallow in flight and "San Remo" and "Ricorod". Complete and in good and working order. 11.25" x 1.75". Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £45.00


	Brass Pen Tray with Banded Agate WA24 Original, quality late 19th century cast brass pen tray of a rectangular form with rounded ends, feet to the underside and a pair of decorative cabochons in banded agate. All has been polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and is complete and in good order. 9.25" x 2.5". 0.75" tall. Click on photo for larger and other view. Price: £78.00

Online Catalogue > Inkwells & Writing