Bakelite ink well for Singer cabinet
 

I am curious about the ink well in a #42 Singer cabinet .... it's the deco one. I have the glass bottom part and it has a number 4 on it. I was looking for the bakelite top but I am confused about all the ones that are out there with many different numbers such as 59, 60, etc. Is the #4 on mine related in any way to the #42 cabinet I have? Will any of the desk type inkwells fit the hole in the drawer of the #42 cabinet? Should there be a number on the bakelite top to match the glass bottom or doesn't it matter? I am hoping someone has one of these and can enlighten me about what I should be looking for. Thanks if you can!

Just check mine the glass bottom says 14 and there is nothing on the black Bakelite top. Sorry

Judy in Phx, AZ

Here is a photo of the inkwell that is in my Deco 42 cabinet; it has "14" embossed in the inside bottom of the glass. The inkwell has a ball bearing in the top to keep the ink sealed.

There are no markings or numbers on the black top. It fits perfectly flush in the hole near the pen tray.

The cabinet came with a lovely Pfaff 130-6 in it, complete with all the original accessories and paperwork.


I keep a set of '40s-'50s USPS mailing labels and a book of ration coupons in the "writing drawer." I'm still looking for a dip-pen to keep in the tray, and a 1940s vintage bottle of ink.

Thanks Judy for the info on your ink well. And Caroline, thanks for the info and photos! Interesting that you both have #14 ink wells and I have a #4. Maybe the numbers have to do with when (or even where) they were made? And maybe I should go check my number again! ..... Right, I did just that and it does have the #4 with a line across the top of the number. So maybe all the bakelite tops fit all the glass bottoms and maybe not. My cabinet came with a Singer 15-91 and drawers full of attachments. In fact, it was the cabinet and attachments that first drew me to the machine. My dh ended up buying it for me as a gift because, as many have said, I did not have room for it so left it behind.

Thanks again to you both for the response.

I ended up with a #42 cabinet over the weekend, I had no intention of keeping it but it's in amazing shape.
I have the glass ink well with the #14 on it, no top. I have plans on making a pin cushion out of it.

Mine came with a 201 Singer, 1938. When I look in the drawer, I smile and say, "you've come a long way baby". I just leave it there, happy that it is still complete. Someday, the next owner will hopefully smile too. A 201 can wear out 4 ladies, at least.

Our book store sells the dip pens and nibs. We have a one room school, and use them there when the children do the penmanship class. They love writing with the dip pens and ink.

Mine glass bottom says 59. The top has BakeLite No 60. Interesting, if nothing else.

I pulled mine out and flipped it over and looked "Oh, it's got a 4"

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psl6afjvcg.jpg

Then I took off the cap - "opps, it's a 14"

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psusoolfrk.jpg

How interesting that any sewing machine would have an ink well. That is NEW to me.