The "nib" pen was the preferred scribe method up until the "fountain" pen was produced (1940's), both could use specific inks that had longer life periods on paper surfaces. Ink wells such as those incorporated in this desk set allowed the user to select the colour and "type of ink" required. The nib pen was the only writing pen that could tolerate "Iron gall" ink. Legal documents were at the start of the mid 1980's required by law(in Australia) to be signed by "well" filled pens. The inks used were either "indian" or "iron/oak gall" because their infusion into paper could not be erased and they had a longer "paper" life and were harder to forge. Bottled ink was superior to that supplied in fountain pens or "biro pens" because the user's choice to a greater range of inks covered a variety of scenarios. Forging a nib signature is extremely hard compared to that of a "biro pen" because a nib settles in to the users particular style of pen movement and arm pressure.This desk writing set was typical of those used by administrators, businesses or quasi legal sectors within the Kiewa Valley, before the lifting of the ban on the use of biros "to sign" legal documents. Fountain pens were used extensively before cheaper biros (throw away) writing implements (1940's) came into the market place.This glass ink well desk set has two circular ink wells connected to their respective nib holders. The nib holders are smaller circular receptacles and feed off the larger ink reservoirs. Between the two larger ink wells is a shallow bottomed elongated "oval" sphere able to contain "slide on" clips, two pronged fasteners (require a hole to be punched in papers) or small "bulldog" clips. At the front edge is an elongated and grooved (two) place for writing nibs. The grooves keep each nib or fountain pen separated.The glass structure is made from clear glass and only the outside "boxed" walls of the desk set make contact with the desk surface. The ink wells can also securely accommodate small bottles of ink. This would have been the case for refillable fountain pens.stationery, fountain pens, nib pens, ink receptors, glass ink wells

This refillable ink bottle was extensively in use in the early 1900's, firstly with the nib pen and then with the fountain pen. Both these pens required to be refreshed with ink as they had no long term self storage capacity. The requirement, before the 1970's, for all legal documents, wills and heath certificates etc. forms had to be signed with penned ink and not biro(1950's onward). This caveat was to prevent forgeries (signatures) from ocurring. Hand writing experts can clearly distinguish forgeries because by using nibs, the "natural" and distinctive hand inflections whilst forming the signiture cannot be replicated by forgers.This item is significant to the Kiewa Valley because it details that even in the rural sector,(Kiewa Valley) the legal requirements of the day had to be adhered to. This was even at a time when in the rural areas a "man's word and handshake" was his bond", especially between neighbours or others in a small rural region. This however was not the case for Government Departments , banks and the hospital. To highlight certain words or paragraphs due to their importance, the red ink application was not only highly visible but also less likely to be tampered withThis is a clear thick glass bottle with shoulders tapering up to the neck. The red stain on the cork stopper indicates that the bottle contained red ink.On one side is embossed "ANGUS & C0" and on the base "J 32" and below this "M" (the manufacturer's mark)dip pen ink, ink bottle, writing methods, nib.

This refillable ink bottle was extensively in use in the early 1900's, firstly with the nib pen and then with the fountain pen. Both these pens required to be refreshed with ink as they had no long term self storage capacity. The requirement, before the 1970's, for all legal documents, wills and heath certificates etc. forms had to be signed with penned ink and not biro(1950's onward). This caveat was to prevent forgeries (signatures) from ocurring. Hand writing experts can clearly distinguish forgeries because by using nibs, the "natural" and distinctive hand inflections whilst forming the signiture cannot be replicated by forgers.This item is significant to the Kiewa Valley because it details that even in the rural sector,(Kiewa Valley) the legal requirements of the day had to be adhered to. This was even at a time when in the rural areas a "man's word and handshake" was his bond", especially between neighbours or others in a small rural region. This however was not the case for Government Departments , banks and the hospital. To highlight certain words or paragraphs due to their importance, the red ink application was not only highly visible but also less likely to be tampered withThis empty bottle is cylindrical with curved "shoulders" tapering to a neck the size of a 20c coin. It has a white screw on lid bearing the name SWAN triple filtered INK. There is a paper label on the side of the bottle.SWAN TRIPLE FILTERED INK. 'SWAN' INK PERMANENT BLUE BLACK MABIE TODD & CO (AUST) PTY LTD SYDNEY CONTENTS 1 1/2 FLUID OZS.dip pen ink, ink bottle, writing methods, nib.

This ink-well was used in the Bacchus Marsh Court House, possibly for book-keeping and/or for court records. This type of ink-well and pen were in use everywhere in schools, businesses, courts, etc before the invention of the type-writer and the ball-point pen. Clerks were usually male and a good copperplate hand-writing was admired. Ink was often mixed by hand used a powdered ink mixed with water.Of local significance in the history of the town of Bacchus Marsh.Round pewter ink-well, with hinged lid and ceramic insert. Five round holes pierced in inner rim of metal to hold pens. Two ribbed bands around exterior of pot. Two bands indented around top of lid. Insert designed to hold ink. Pen with marbled blue handle, metal nib holder and metal nib.Indecipherable imprint on bottom of pot, possibly machine markings. Illegible written marks on side of pewter pot. Ceramic insert marked on side and bottom by red and black ink.ink, ink well, hand writing, record keeping, pens, nibs, clerical work, court records

Bottle clear glass with screw lid "Melanyl" Inventors and Manufacturers Cooper, Dennison and Walkden Ltd. English dye in. Also 2 nibs and wood pen body. Bottle etc all container in cardboard box with sliding sleeve. Small pen with nib corroded, plus spare nib - inscribed "Hinks.Wells & Co "Flexor Pen" England 1884F.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

The origins of the pen rack probably began when quill pens were being replaced by steel nib pens that were held at oblique angles for writing this method of writing started to gain popularity around 1820-1860. To understand the development of display racks to hold pens on a desk we need to understand the development of the pen itself. Before the early 19th-century steel pens were almost universally all barrel pens affixed to a holder pretty permanently. Pens were also not disposable. There were even steel pen repair services, just like the same services around at the time to repair you're fine quills. Individual slip nib pens which fit into a holder were originally pieces of a quill which came in a box of nibs and fit into a holder. These were disposable and meant to obviate the need to mend your quills. By 1831 you start to see more what they called “slip nib pens” or “portable pens” (easier to carry than a long barrel pen), but the idea of holding the nib at an oblique angle in the holder was an idea new enough that it warranted a patent. In 1831, an enterprising and very successful stationer and inventor, Sampson Mordan (inventor of the silver mechanical pencil) combined with one William Brockedon to patent the first oblique pen and oblique holder. In the patent application, they mention as the benefits that this would allow the writer to hold the pen more comfortably as well as it should allow the pen to last longer since both tines will be moving across the paper evenly. It appears at the time the idea of holding a pen obliquely was new. As a result of the popularity of the oblique pen many different designs of pen desk holders were being made, to keep pens suspended on a rack alleviated the possibility that the expensive new steel nibs with their holder could be damaged if left in a desk draw with other items.Double sided Pen Rack, decorative metal with four metal legsflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

Brass gift box, presented to serving military personnel in World War 1. Attributed as being the brainchild of Princess Mary, daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. On top of tin the head of the Princess is surrounded by a laurel wreath. Embossed on top 'Imperium Britannicum', on bottom 'Christmas 1914' This tin was found in a secretaire given to Graham Hookey, inside the tin is gold woven epaulette, nibs for a dip pen and a small lock 'Miller' embossed on front. Also enclosed are two medals - one metal 'volunteered for active service' printed around outside of medal, other two appear to be off a uniform, another 'corps of engineers' gold badge. Rising sun medal with 'Australian Commonwealth Military Force' embossed.australia, military, brass comfort tin

Small metal box containing 8 nibsPen points made in Japandomestic items, writing equipment