A steal for $42, but what was this used for?

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03-27-2011, 09:20 PM

#111

GrannieAnnie

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Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: S. W. Indiana

Posts: 7,484

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbin along

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheryl rearick

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

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!

I don't think the cartridge pens got to my neck of the woods until some time after 1954. I learned to use a fountain pen in 3rd grade 1955 and we got the cartridge pens some time later.

03-28-2011, 04:52 AM

#112

kaykwilts

Senior Member

Join Date: Feb 2011

Location: North Central Texas

Posts: 378

Quote:

Originally Posted by martha jo

When I was in grade school every school desk had one built in. You are right we mostly had braids and it was just too tempting for the boys to dip them. I loved writing with a pen staff. Heard recently that some schools are considering not teaching the children cursive at all anymore as they can use computer. What a shame. What about when the power goes out?

If its any comfort...many of us that homeschool insist that our children learn cursive...and not only learn it, but be able to write legibly.....my kids practice theirs every day...only when one reaches their senior year do I let up....

And while some would argue that teaching children to write in cursive is a waste of time, I sort of think that my kids could get a job being a scribe someday :lol: :lol: :lol:

I mean...who wouldn't want to be a scribe???? :D

03-28-2011, 06:18 AM

#113

fabric_lover

Junior Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: in hiding

Posts: 144

Looks like an inkwell from a school desk in my day . We students used to take turns filling. What it's doing in the sewing machine, no idea unless an inventive woman used it for old needles.

03-28-2011, 06:25 AM

#114

goaf1968

Member

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Northern Delaware - USA

Posts: 73

Correct -- it is an ink well. You were lucky to find it with the cabinet. That particular cabinet was made to look like it was a desk. If I remember correctly there should be built into the same drawer as the well a curved shelf to hold a pen(s). Could be wrong about the pen shelf, though, as I am not looking at mine right now.

Terry -- in Northern Delaware.

03-28-2011, 06:29 AM

#115

lovingmama

Super Member

Join Date: Nov 2010

Posts: 3,751

Quote:

Originally Posted by great aunt jacqui

it looks like an old inkwell, we used o have in our scool desks. maybe the cabinet was a combo sewing and desk? Also the recessed part on the left would be for pens or quills. It maybe an add on because the woods seem different. Just grabbing at ideas.lol

My thought too an ink well. But then I thought usualy you do see those with ink stains on it.

03-28-2011, 06:52 AM

#116

kathyquilter34

Junior Member

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: Indiana

Posts: 112

[ My thought too an ink well. But then I thought usualy you do see those with ink stains on it.[/quote]

Mine has the ink stains..probably upset my Mom when I spilled it..lol

03-28-2011, 09:42 AM

#117

garysgal

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2009

Location: in the heart of the awl

Posts: 1,015

I googled images for vintage ink wells and the exact picture you posted came up. It is an ink well.

03-28-2011, 01:23 PM

#118

madamekelly

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Posts: 7,695

Quote:

Originally Posted by Debd

Went to the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store and found this beauty for $50. Then there was this 20% off discount because it was furniture. Needless to say I left a nice donation check as well.

My question is about this container I found in the top drawer of the cabinet. There is a place specifically for it, so I believe it is part of the original sewing package. The top is a double layer with a hole in the bottom layer that a ball bearing fits into. The machine is a 1945 Singer 15-90.

Anybody have a clue?

Dear, that is your ink well for 'marking your patterns'. I had one in my original industrial machine. It originally had a little cap that slid over the opening. You may also have a round 'dimple' in the wood for 'nibs' and a ling dimple for your fountain pen to sit in. Have fun with it.

03-28-2011, 01:31 PM

#119

Mitch's mom

Super Member

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: TN

Posts: 1,443

It is an Inkwell. Congratulations on finding it still in the desk! The cabinet was made to look like a writing desk. Singer included an inkwell in this cabinet and I believe one other. The wells are not as rare as hens teeth, but you'd wait a while to find one at a good price on Ebay. Great find!