People didn't use ink wells in 1945 did they? I thought re: pens were out. hmmm :)

we used the ink wells in 1945..I was in the 5th grade and they were quite messy for a left hand person..if you want to see the picture and description of the desk/sewing machine look at what someone else posted..
http://www.ismacs.net/singer_sewing_...ny/42_cab.html very good picture and verified that it is an ink well..

Did you get the stool that goes with it..I have it also..

Yes, actually, they did, but Fountain pens were gaining in popularity. You bought a bottle of ink that had a little lip sticking out on the inside of the bottle, and filled your pen from that, and then you could just take the pen with you---hoping it didn't leak all over the front of your shirt! I recieved my first ball-point pen as a gift in about 1947--I was thrilled--I was about 5--and it leaked all over everything. one day I stuck the end of it in my mouth and ended up with a whole mouthful of really bad tasting ink! yuk. My dad then took it away from me and threw it away!
Along about 1954 the fountain pens with cartridges came along, and ohhh, what a treat they were to use. The refill cartridges were a bit expensive so most of us refilled them with an eye-dropper from the old-fashioned ink bottle. ----and that's my story, Morning Glory!

Alas the stool was not with it, but I will go back and see if they put it with some other furniture! Who knows, they obviously didn't know what they had!

Alas the stool was not with it, but I will go back and see if they put it with some other furniture! Who knows, they obviously didn't know what they had!


It will have solid wooden sides and a leather like dark brown seat..the seat comes off and has a storage area under it about 5" deep..

That ink well jar and top/lid are valuable, I would assume that came with the cabinet originally. There is also a mahogany square shaped stoop with a padded top. You take the seat part off and there is storage room for thread, bobbins, etc. There is a fabric covered tray with different sizes of 'boxes' to put items in.
Do you have a foot pedal or is that a knee type in the picture?

my guess would be for broken needles or pins

It is an old ink bottle. For when they used dip in ink.

We used to have ink wells in our school desks and they looked just about like that. So, I'd say it is an ink well jar.