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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
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.

 
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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.

 
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Price: £30.00


Brown Stoneware Ink Bottle with labels BJ180



Squirrel Tail Filing Board CP1
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.

 
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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".

 
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Price: £115.00


Leather Covered Filing Tray FC6



Cast Iron Letter Clip LC61
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.

 
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Price: £56.00


Small Brass Hand Letter Clip LC59
Original, quality circa 1900, very small brass letter clip in the form of a Lady's hand. This tiny example is mounted on a honey-coloured oak backboard with a hanging hole to the top and all is complete and in good and working order with a good spring. Polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost.

Backboard 4.5" x 2 5/8" x 0.25".

Total 1.75" front to back.

 
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Price: £115.00


Small Brass Hand Letter Clip LC59



Hand Letter Clip LC58
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.

 
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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.

 
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Price: £125.00


J. Ratcliff Brass Letter Clip LC57



Brass Letter Clip LC52
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.

 
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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.

 
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Price: £115.00


Brass Letter Clip LC51



Perry Brass Letter Clip LC48
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.

 
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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".

 
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Price: £185.00


Horseshoe Letter Clip LC41



Cast Iron Letter Embosser LE17
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.

 
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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.

 
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Price: £45.00


Freelance Geological Society Rubber Stamp, 2 available LE14



Cowhorn Letter Opener LO29
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".

 
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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.

 
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Price: £115.00


Brass Letter Opener LO26



Castle Laundry Letter Opener LO25
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".

 
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Price: £38.00


Lucas Letter Opener LO24
Original, quality 1930's / 40's chrome plated letter opener, in the form of a medieval sword with a circular medallion to the top of the 'Lucas' trade mark "a lion within a motorcycle wheel with a flaming torch above". Lucas were huge manufacturer of motor, motorcycle and cycle accessories and probably still are. These letter openers were promotional give aways perhaps. Complete and in good order.

6.75" x 1.75".

 
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Price: £125.00


Lucas Letter Opener LO24



Brass Letter Opener LO16
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".

 
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Price: £145.00


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".

 
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Price: £85.00


Wall Mounted Letter Rack LR56



Pair of Brass Letter Racks LR55
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.

 
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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.

 
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Price: £135.00


Brass Letter Rack LR47



Inkstand With Relics from St Johns Westminter Built 1709 IW112
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.

 
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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".

 
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Price: £300.00


Arts & Crafts Inkwell with Brush Wipe IW111



Dowlers Patent Glass Inkwell IW108
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.

 
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Price: £135.00


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".

 
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Price: £125.00


Brass Dairy Can / Inkwell IW107



Glass Travelling Inkwell IW106
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.

 
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Price: £38.00


Doulton Isobath Patent Inkwell IW101
Original, quality late 19th century stoneware "Isobath Patent" resevoir inkstand, manufactured by Doulton for The De La Rue Company and Introduced in 1888". This most unusual example has a lift off lid to reveal the floating valve and when a pen is dipped in the hopper to the front, the floating valve will allow an equal amount of ink to feed back into the hopper. Sadly there is a chip under the lid but otherwise all is complete and in good order. It is not marked for Doulton but the lid has several symbols representing the artist or potter.

5.75" tall x 3.75" wide.

5" front to back including hopper.

 
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Price: £200.00


Doulton Isobath Patent Inkwell IW101



Moulded Glass Inkwell IW95
Moulded Glass Inkwell IW95
Original, quality 1920's moulded clear glass inkwell with a brass collar and hinge to the lid and a pen rest moulded in the front glass section. This hexagonal shaped inkwell is perfect with the brass polished and lacquered, although the lacquer may be removed at no extra cost and all is complete and in good and working order.

4" tall.

4 1/8" base diam.

 
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Price: £45.00


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.

 
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Price: £250.00


Arts and Crafts Copper Inkwell IW92



Advertising Ceramic Inkwell IW90
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.

 
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Price: £56.00


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.

 
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Price: £65.00


Cut Glass Inkwell IW82



Cut Glass Inkwell IW72
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.

 
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Price: £56.00


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.

 
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Price: £115.00


Satin Glass Inkwell IW62



Brass and Glass Inkstand IW43
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.

 
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Price: £85.00


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.

 
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Price: £68.00


Terry's Steel Clip Lamp Bracket M134



Trench Art Brass Letter Opener M107
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".

 
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Price: £56.00


Trench Art Brass Letter Opener, 5 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.

 
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Price: £45.00


Trench Art Brass Letter Opener, 5 matching available M103



Brass Travelling Calipers N27
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".

 
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Price: £85.00


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.

 
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Price: £65.00


Glass Rolling Ruler, 2 available R51



Cedar Rolling ruler with Pencil and Eraser R36
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.

 
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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.

 
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Price: £85.00


2 Piece Ceramic Stamp or Envelope Lick SB8



Trench Art Letter Opener SC250
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".

 
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Price: £56.00


Watson & Co Triple Slate Chalk Board SS6
Original, quality late 19th century three-leaf slate writing tablet with the original pine frames and covers. The back and front covers both have fielded panels, the original brass hinges and the original stained and polished finish. The frames are each impressed for the manufacturer "Watson & Co Manchester" and the covers are held closed by the original brass hook and eye. A super example and the first we have seen, in fact, this may well be older than stated. Complete and in good and working order.

9" x 7" x 1.75".

 
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Price: £135.00


Watson & Co Triple Slate Chalk Board SS6



Olivewood Page Turner T34
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".

 
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Price: £45.00

Online Catalogue > Inkwells & Writing