Inkwell and stand used at the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre in Kew.Wrought iron inkstand consisting of two heavy glass ink wells with china inserts and one iron lid. Base:Rd.No. 519422. Lid:Rd.No.512422. inkwell, inkstand, writing equipment, denmark street baby health centre - kew (vic)

Gold and Redgum Inkstand made by Ernest Leviny, c1855-1858. Presented to Mr J.V.A. Bruce, contractor for the Melbourne and Murray Railway by the workmen, at Woodend on Monday 8th July 1861. This gold inkstand was Leviny's first major masterpiece commenced around 1855 and made from gold found on the Victorian fields. It featured four gold nuggets representing the Southern Cross from the goldfields of Ballarat, Bendigo Maryborough and Castlemaine. It was exhibited in Melbourne in 1858, and again in 1861 where it was awarded a 1st Class Certificate at the Victorian Exhibition in Melbourne. In 1862 it was exhibited at the London International Exhibition where it attracted a great deal of attention and was published in The Art Journal Illustrated Catalogue accompanying the exhibition. The whereabouts of the Inkstand is currently unknown.Matt, albumen print, mounted on lightweight card backing. Albumen photograph of a gold and redgum inkstand. Elaborate inkstand highly decorated with cast figures. Mounted on a redgum base.Stamp embossed on upper left corner. Crown in a circle with the words Bristol Paper. Handwritten in ink under image. "Gold inkstand presented at the opening of the Railway, designed by the late Ernest Leviny Esq. October 13th 1862. Made of almost pure gold and cost £700".inkstand, ornament, gold, goldsmithing, london exhibition 1862, melbourne and murray railway, photograph, woodend, 8 july 1861, mr j. v. a. bruce

The desk set does not have a maker’s mark so it is unclear where or by whom it was made. The employees of the Public Parks and Gardens presented the desk set to Bosisto in 1882 as a token of gratitude. This is most probably because Bosisto successfully campaigned for gardeners employed at public parks and gardens to receive retirement allowances in the years immediately prior, which all other public servants were entitled to (Geelong Advertiser 1880:3). In addition to his lifetime interest in plants and their medicinal uses, Joseph Bosisto was committed to public service and represented Richmond in the Legislative Assembly from 1874 till 1889. Bosisto was the mayor of Richmond 1865-1867 and Commissioner of the Melbourne International Exhibition 1880-1881. This is the only known presentation swan desk set of its type. The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences in Sydney has a collection of presentation inkstands. These range from rare gold inkstands to small silver and plated sets; the most similar to this example is noted to be part of a collection of national standing. Related to this item, the Emerald Museum collection also includes vintage Bosisto oil bottles, as well as Camden wollybutt (Eucaplytus macarthuri) live plantings, which are remnants of Bosisto’s eucalyptus distillery industry that operated approximately 500 metres from the former nursery. Both Butterfield Park (past Bosisto eucalyptus oil distillery) in Emerald and the Bosisto factory/depot in Oakleigh are interested in these collection items. The desk set belonged to Melville Lober and originally came from the family's engraving / engineering business, Max Lober P/L, in Bridge Road Richmond, not far from Bosisto Street. Melville's daughter, Mirren Alenson, is not sure if it was given to her father or grandfather to restore and then was not wanted, or if it was left in the Richmond property by the previous owner. he desk set is of historic, social and aesthetic significance. It is the only surviving presentation piece owned by Joseph Bosisto (1824-1898), a prominent chemist, inventor and public figure in Melbourne and nationally. His particular significance for the Emerald area is that he set up eucalyptus distilleries at Emerald, Menzies Creek, and Macclesfield in 1882. Made from silver and electroplated silver (base), this desk set features two cast figures of swans in blackened silver finish, each sitting on a stylised acanthus leaf. The swans support and elevate the central candle stand with their outstretched wings, while flanking a gilt inscription engraved in the center of a rectangular base with curved sides and an applied gadrooned rim. At front and back there is a recess to hold pens, and the sides have a circular recess for ink glass-bottles (missing). The whole rests on four cast acanthus feet and the two cast side handles feature a scroll-and-palmette motif. The inkwell is not marked, and the maker is not known; it was probably imported from England or assembled in Australia from imported components.On inkstand inscribed: ‘PRESENTED TO/ Joseph Bosisto Esq. MLA/ BY/ THE EMPLOYEES OF THE PUBLIC PARKS AND GARDENS/ 1882’.bosisto, eucalyptus distilleries

Glass inkwell and timber stand. The wooden inkstand has 2 small brass plaques attached to it.Plaque 1: "Presented to Mr A Cecil Osborne by the Trustees of Wesley's Chapel, City Road London on the occasion of the 150th anniversary November 1st 1928. Made from old oak given to John Wesley for his chapel from the government shipyards at Deptford 1777" Plaque 2: Presented by Mrs Osborne of Hammers Lane, Mill Hill, London, To the Mont Albert Methodist Church In appreciation of gifts received from the Mont Albert Congregation, November 1947.john wesley, inkwell, deptford shipyards, mont albert

The Charman family settled in the northern part of Emerald.Copper plated inkstand with two wells. (one of which is missing)|Carved wooden nib pen copper plateEagle Pencil Co New York USAemerald, victoria, australia, writing, equipment, pioneers, charman family, norman charman

Ballarat Clarendon College Annual Report 1990: Silver inkstand donated as a perpetual trophy for the most improved swimmer at College; donated by Mrs Doss Mooney (CPLC 1936) in memory of her father J W Clegg. Ornate silver candlestick stand; four claw legs, reindeer at centre of stand; two lidded candlestick holders (one with glass candle holder insert).Engraved on face of stand: B.S.C. / Won by / J.W.Clegg / 1904j w clegg, b.s.c., 1904

Double-sided A5 size advertisement for public auction under instructions from the owner on Monday, September 23, 1935 on the property - seven room brick residence with frontage 456 feet by approximately 280 feet and contentents of dwelling fully listed over 4 pages. Agent - J.B. McAlpin, Ringwood, opp. station. Phone Ringwood 7; after houres 236. Auctioneer - ED. Haughton & Co., 379 Collins Street, Melbourne. Phone Central 4101.Contents of Dwelling List - includes: DINING ROOM - Dining Room Suite - 6 pieces; Oval Blackwood Dining Table; Blackwood Sideboard; Axminster Carpet, Occasional Table hand carved; Oak Trays; Seascape, Landscape and other Pictures; 2 Marble Vases; Marble Monkey and 3 other Small Ornaments; Ash Tray and Poker; One Pair Stencilled Curtains. Two Large Vases, 1 with floral design; Salad Bowl and Servers; One Dozen Dessert Knives; Nine Stainless Teaspoons (new); Plated Vases; Plated Jam Dishes; Plated Cream Bowl; Silver Plated Cake Dish; One Pair Plated Shell Butter Dishes; Lino Border. LOUNGE ROOM - 2 Pictures and 1 pair with Circular Frames; Floral Jardinere and Pot Plant; Cabinet Gramophone "Singola"; Records; Player Piano "Cable"; Piano Stool; 31 Rolls; Roll Cabinet; Quantity of Music; Music Case, Leather; Portable Gramophone "Decca"; Floral Design Jardinere; Wicker Occasional Table; 2 Wicker Chairs; Cane Lounge Settee; Blackwood Bookcase; 9 Volumes Universal Encyclopedia; 10 Vols Children's Encyclopedia; Floral Vase; Black and Gold Vase; One pair Plated Vases; Ash Pan; Lino Border (Lounge Room); One Carpet, green 13.6 x 10.6; One Cushion; Hall Stand; Pedestal; Floral Design Jardinere; Painting on Canvas (Landscape); Hall Runner Carpet 25 feet; Hall Lino 29ft 5 in.; Five Door Mats (small). FIRST BEDROOM - Arm Chair (Leather); English Oak Dressing Table; English Oak Wash Stand Marble Top; Toilet Set (Four pieces); Silk Fire Screen; Blackwood Occasional Table; Black and Gold Vase; Pair China Vases; Pair Glass Vases; Single Glass Vase; One Kewpie Lavender Bag; Bedroom Lino 15.6 x 13.6. SECOND BEDROOM - Arm Chair (Leather); Dressing Table; Wash Stand; 3 Piece Toilet Set; One Vase (Pink Cameo Design); Two Ornaments (one round); Bedroom Lino 13.5 x 12.10; 3 Pictures; 2 Pairs Curtains (applique, stenc'ld); Pair Curtain Poles. THIRD BEDROOM - Lino approx 14ft x 10ft; Two Green Mohair Mats; Pair Pictures (White frames); One Picture ("The Mourners"); Picture ("The Wanderer Found"); Small Picture; Wicker Chair. FOURTH BEDROOM - Duchess Chest 5 drawers; Corner Wardrobe and Curtains; One Single Bed & Wire Mattress; Single Bedding; Lino on floor 14ft x 6ft 6in.; Occasional Table; 3 Pictures; Two Door Mats; Hall Runner (Carpet) 21ft. BREAKFAST ROOM - Two Wicker Chairs; Cushion; Brown Cushion; Four Vienna Chairs; Jardinere; Kerb (Wooden). 3 Pictures; Oil Painting (Canvas); 2 Pictures; Lino 14ft x 14ft; Brown Table Cover; Fruit Set; Robur Tea Pot; Plaque; China Biscuit Barrel; Glass Fruit Bowl; Pair Pickle Jars and Stand; Wooden Inkstand; Pair Ash Trays; Two Marble Vases; Glass Vase; Electric Jug and Electric Toaster (practically new); Picture; Cushion; Pair Lace Curtains; Curtain Rod; Three Lace Curtains; Brass Curtain Rods (3); Lino in Vestibule 10ft x 8 ft; Lino in Kitchen 12.6 x8.6; Coal Scuttle; Two Small Tables (1 Baize Cover). STORE ROOM - Briquette Grate; Three Coir Mats (one new); Three Small Door Mats (new); Glass Fire Screen; 2 Alm Pot Stands; Steel Pot Stand; Lady's Bicycle; 2 Electric Radiators (one large); White Cabinet; Stretcher Bed; Large Cot with Wire Mattress; Kerb; Fender and Irons; Lino on floor 12ft x 12ft; Lino in Storeroom 6ft x 6ft; Three Large Window Blinds; Clothes Horse; Dressmaker's Fitting Stand; Dressmaker's Bust; Window Display Bust; Blouse Stand; Small Display Stand; Meat Cover (Metal); Leather Portmantau; Leather Kit Bag; Four Large Wooden Drawers; Picnic Basket; Mattress, Bolster and Pillow; Cot Quilt; One Long-handled Feather Duster; Feather Duster; Wicker Lounge; Cane Soiled Linen Basket; One New Washing Tub; Copper Preserving Pan; Lino in Laundry 8 x 6 approx; Carpet Sweeper; Small Jardinere; 2 Shopping Baskets; Kitchen Safe; Kitchen Table; Three Buckets; 1 Horse Rub patent (prac new); Wooden Pot Plant Stand; Bird Cage and Stand; Pair Steps; Pair Small Steps; Metal Meat Safe; Wooden Safe; Hand worked Table Cover; Pair Poplin Silk Curtains (new); Leather Table Centre. VERANDAH - 12ft Shelving with doors; 35ft Shelving; Wooden Stand; Axe Stand (wooden); Nine feet Wooden Shop Fittings; Small Filing Cabinet; Three Window Frames & Glass; 38 Pot Plants Fernery; 9 Hanging Baskets Fernery; Electric Shop Sgn Storeroom; 2 Small Electric Shop Signs Storeroom; 2 Garden Sprays; Doll's Pram and Doll; Two Boxes Paint and Slate; Crystal Radio Set; New Canvas Blind & Roller 6ft.; Electric Light Reflectors (two); Two pieces of Painted Baize; Small Vice; Sprinkler; One Gallon Tin of Spray Oil; 2 Packets of "Aresto"; Two Hurricane Lamps; One Pair Spring Balance Scales; Small Pair Spring Balance Scales. WASH HOUSE - Pair Heavy Tracers (2); Pair Reins; Back Band; One Tug; Pair Hames; One Pair Neck Bands (2); Four Manger Balls; Pair Knee Pads; Kicking Strap complete; Leather Head Stall; Collar Pad; Knife Board and Tin Polish; Fork Cleaner; Foot Spray Pump. TOOL SHED - One Stewart Horse Clipper; Approx 120ft Ribbed Hose; 100ft ½in Hose; Child's Scooter; Tin Box; Ferret Box; One Tool Box; Tomato Hoe; Sprinkler; Two Large Augers; Large Watering Can; Medium Watering Can; Small Watering Can; Wooden Tool Chest; Rope, Tackle and two Pulleys; Six pieces of Lino; Three Small Canvas Blinds; Lawn Mower 14in.; Lawn Mower 12in.; Grass Catcher; 8 Pieces Garden Tools; Barrow; Quantity of Timber; Quantity of Flower Pots; Quantity of Wire; 4 Egg & 1 Fowl Crates Feed Room; 1 Gallon Demijohn Feed Room; Quantity of Shelving Feed Room; Quantity of Cement, Lime; Six Small Doors; Roll of Perforated Cardboard; Boot Rack; Coat Rack; 3 Automatic Sanitary Disinfectant; Pair Neck Straps and Rope; One Chimney Top & 3 Vent Bks.; Desk; Large Pump; Large Safe; Pair Sliding Door Rollers & Fittings; Two Wooden Doors; Box Sundries; Wooden Frame and Glass; 2 Vienna Chairs; Delivery Cart; Five Boxes Tiles; Quantity Agricultural Pipes; Wooden Bench; Wood Horse; Earthenware Drain Pipe; Wooden Tool Box; New Brass Spray "Rego"; Two Wood Planes. YARD - Pair Hedge Clippers; Box Containing 2 prs Secateurs & Punch; Box Tools seven pieces; Box Sundries; Lawn Weeder and Seed Sower; Box Tools 6 pieces; Two Saws; Bundle Files; Three Braces; Box of 13 pieces Gimlets etc.; Five Spanners; Box Tools 4 pieces; Four Coal Chisels; Box 7 pieces of Tools; Box of 5 pieces of Tools; Box of Docket Books; One Printing set; Large Figure Printing Set; Small Figure Printing set; Price Ticket Box; Air Brush Writing Set Complete; Six Shelves & Brackets, one Hat Rack, in store room; Box of Three Hammers; Two Boot Lasts; Tin of Polishing Oil; Box of Gardening Sundries; 2 Bicycle Pumps Saddle & Clips; One Covered Baking Dish; 200 c.p. Globe (Vestibule); Two "Dimolite" Fittings; Set of Five Canisters; Earthernware Jar; Two shopping Cases; Dinner Set 11 pieces; Box of Sundry Tins; Alm Fish Pan and Drainer; Two Ventilators; Knife Board & 3 Bread Saws; Soap Box and Jewel Case; Three Glass Articles. OFFICE FURNITURE - Steel Safe (Office Safe); Office Table five drawers; Cabinet 8 drawers; Cupboard three shelves; Selves 2ft3in x 1ft6in; Cheque Protector; Remington Typewriter; Typewriter Adjustable Table; Burroughs Bookkeeping Machine and Stand Complete; Small Office Table; Glass Show Case3ft9 x 2ft.; Four Sheets M. Glass; Five Sheets P. Glass; Gent's Overcoat new; Boy's Pullover New; Small Show Case; Duplicator (complete); Webster's Dictionary; Family doctor's Book. Two Dictionaries; Bundle of Three Books; Art Decorating Book; Bundle of Three Books; Bundle of Three Books; Two Books (Children's); (Multiple) Bundles each containing Three Books; Leather Riding Whip; Tort-shell Inkstand & Calendar; Tort-shell Folding Letter Rack; Water Filter; Thermos Flask and Case; Two Waste Paper Baskets.

This crate of bottles may have come from a wholesaler, business, stationer or school. The design of the bottles is sometimes called a ‘cottage’ or ‘boat’ shape. Each of the 70 Caldwell’s handmade glass ink bottles was mouth-blown into a two-piece mould, a method often used in the mid-to-late 19th century. The glass blower burst the bottle off the end of his blowpipe with a tool, leaving an uneven mouth and sharp edge on the bottle, which was usually filed. The bottle was then filled with ink and sealed with a cork. More expensive bottles would have a lip added, which was more time-consuming and costly to produce. The capacity for a bottle such as this was about 3 ½ oz (ounces) equal to about 100 ml. Pen and ink have been in use for handwriting since about the seventh century. A quill pen made from a bird’s feather was used up until around the mid-19th century. In the 1850s a steel point nib for the dip pen was invented and could be manufactured on machines in large quantities. The nis only held a small amount of ink so users had to frequently dip the nib into an ink well for more ink. Handwriting left wet ink on the paper, so the blotting paper was carefully used to absorb the excess ink and prevent smudging. Ink could be purchased as a ready-to-use liquid or in powdered form, which needed to be mixed with water. In the 1880s a successful, portable fountain pen gave smooth-flowing ink and was easy to use. In the mid-20th century, the modern ballpoint pen was readily available and inexpensive, so the fountain pen lost its popularity. However, artisans continue to use nib pens to create beautiful calligraphy. Caldwell’s Ink Co. – F.R. Caldwell established Caldwell’s Ink Company in Australia around 1902. In Victoria, he operated from a factory at Victoria Avenue, Albert Park, until about 1911, then from Yarra Bank Road in South Melbourne. Newspaper offices were appointed as agencies to sell his inks, for example, in 1904 the New Zealand Evening Star sold Caldwell’s Flo-Eesi blue black ink in various bottle sizes, and Murchison Advocate (Victoria) stocked Caldwell’s ink in crimson, green, blue black, violet, and blue. Caldwell’s ink was stated to be “non-corrosive and unaffected by steel pens”. A motto used in advertising in 1904-1908 reads ‘Makes Writing a Pleasure’. Stationers stocked Caldwell’s products and hawkers sold Caldwell’s ink stands from door to door in Sydney in the 1910s and 1920s. In 1911 Caldwell promised cash for returned ink bottles and warned of prosecution for anyone found refilling his bottles. Caldwell’s Ink Stands were given as gifts. The company encouraged all forms of writing with their Australian-made Flo-Eesi writing inks and bottles at their impressive booth in the ‘All Australian Exhibition’ in 1913. It advertised its other products, which included Caldwell’s Gum, Caldwell’s Stencil Ink (copy ink) and Caldwell’s Quicksticker as well as Caldwell’s ‘Zac’ Cough Mixture. Caldwell stated in a 1920 article that his inks were made from a formula that was over a century old, and were scientifically tested and quality controlled. The formula included gallic and tannic acids and high-quality dyes to ensure that they did not fade. They were “free from all injurious chemicals”. The permanent quality of the ink was important for legal reasons, particularly to banks, accountants, commerce, municipal councils and lawyers. The Caldwell’s Ink Company also exported crates of its ink bottles and ink stands overseas. Newspaper advertisements can be found for Caldwell’s Ink Company up until 1934 when the company said they were the Best in the business for 40 years.This large collection of similar ink bottles is of particular significance as the bottles have come from the same source, most have their original corks and some retain their original labels, which is rare. The method of manufacture of these bottles is also representative of a 19th-century handcraft industry that is now been largely replaced by mass production. The bottles and their contents are of state significance for being produced by an early Melbourne industry and exported overseas. This case of ink bottles is historically significant as it represents methods of handwritten communication that were still common up until the mid-20th century when fountain pens and modern ballpoint pens became popular and convenient and typewriters were becoming part of standard office equipment.Ink bottles in a wooden crate; 70 rectangular, hand-blown clear glass ink bottles. They have side seams, uneven thickness, especially at the bases, and rough, burst-off mouths. The shoulders on the long sides have horizontal grooves used for pen rests. The bottles vary; some have labels, some contain remnants of blue-black ink, and many have their original corks. The glass has bubbles and imperfections. The remnants of printed labels are on white paper with a swirly border and black text. The bottles contained Caldwell’s blend of blue black ‘Flo-Eesi’ ink.Printed on label; “CALDWELL FLO-EESI BLUE BLACK INK” “ - - - - “ Printed script signature “F.R. Caldwell”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, ink, nib pen, writing ink, writing, copying, banks, lawyers, commerce, student, permanent ink, flo-eesi, blue black ink, stationery, record keeping, handwriting, writing equipment, writing accessory, office supply, cottage bottle, boat bottle, mouth-blown bottle, two-part mould, sheer-lip bottle, burst-lip, cork seal, f r caldwell, caldwell’s ink company, albert park, south melbourne, inkstands, stencil ink, copy ink, quicksticker, zac cough mixture

This design of the bottle is sometimes called a ‘cottage’ or ‘boat’ shape. The Caldwell’s handmade glass ink bottle was mouth-blown into a three-piece mould, a method often used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the maker's name engraved into the mould section for the base. The glass blower would cut the bottle off the end of his blowpipe with a tool and join a mouth onto the top, rolling the lip. The bottle was then filled with ink and sealed with a cork. This method of manufacture was more time-consuming and costly to produce than those made in a simple two-piece mould and 'cracked' off the blowpipe. The capacity for a bottle such as this was about 3 ½ oz (ounces) equal to about 100 ml. This particular bottle is unusual as it has four sloping indents at the corners of the shoulder, most likely for resting a pen with its nib upwards and the handle resting on a flat surface. Most of the bottles made during this era had horizontal pen rests that were indented into both of the long sides of the shoulder. Pen and ink have been in use for handwriting since about the seventh century. A quill pen made from a bird’s feather was used up until around the mid-19th century. In the 1850s a steel point nib for the dip pen was invented and could be manufactured on machines in large quantities. This only held a small amount of ink so users had to frequently dip the nib into an ink well for more ink. Handwriting left wet ink on the paper, so the blotting paper was carefully used to absorb the excess ink and prevent smudging. Ink could be purchased as a ready-to-use liquid or in powdered form, which needed to be mixed with water. In the 1880s a successful, portable fountain pen gave smooth-flowing ink and was easy to use. In the mid-20th century, the modern ballpoint pen was readily available and inexpensive, so the fountain pen lost its popularity. However, artisans continue to use nib pens to create beautiful calligraphy. Caldwell’s Ink Co. – F.R. Caldwell established Caldwell’s Ink Company in Australia around 1902. In Victoria, he operated from a factory at Victoria Avenue, Albert Park, until about 1911, then from Yarra Bank Road in South Melbourne. Newspaper offices were appointed as agencies to sell his inks, for example, in 1904 the New Zealand Evening Star sold Caldwell’s Flo-Eesi blue black ink in various bottle sizes, and Murchison Advocate (Victoria) stocked Caldwell’s ink in crimson, green, blue black, violet, and blue. Caldwell’s ink was stated to be “non-corrosive and unaffected by steel pens”. A motto used in advertising in 1904-1908 reads ‘Makes Writing a Pleasure’. Stationers stocked Caldwell’s products and hawkers sold Caldwell’s ink stands from door to door in Sydney in the 1910s and 1920s. In 1911 Caldwell promised cash for returned ink bottles and warned of prosecution for anyone found refilling his bottles. Caldwell’s Ink Stands were given as gifts. The company encouraged all forms of writing with their Australian-made Flo-Eesi writing inks and bottles at their impressive booth in the ‘All Australian Exhibition’ in 1913. It advertised its other products, which included Caldwell’s Gum, Caldwell’s Stencil Ink (copy ink) and Caldwell’s Quicksticker as well as Caldwell’s ‘Zac’ Cough Mixture. Caldwell stated in a 1920 article that his inks were made from a formula that was over a century old, and were scientifically tested and quality controlled. The formula included gallic and tannic acids and high-quality dyes to ensure that they did not fade. They were “free from all injurious chemicals”. The permanent quality of the ink was important for legal reasons, particularly to banks, accountants, commerce, municipal councils and lawyers. The Caldwell’s Ink Company also exported crates of its ink bottles and ink stands overseas. Newspaper advertisements can be found for Caldwell’s Ink Company up until 1934 when the company said they were the Best in the business for 40 years.This hand-blown bottle is significant for being the only bottle in our collection with the unusual sloping pen rests on its shoulder. It is also significant for being made in a less common three-piece mould. The method of manufacture is representative of a 19th-century handcraft industry that is now been largely replaced by mass production. The bottle is of state significance for being produced by an early Melbourne industry and exported overseas. This ink bottle is historically significant as it represents methods of handwritten communication that were still common up until the mid-20th century when fountain pens and modern ballpoint pens became popular and convenient and typewriters were becoming part of standard office equipment.Ink bottle; rectangular base, hand-blown clear glass bottle with its own cork. The bottle has side seams from the base to the mouth, an indented base and an applied lip. The corners of the shoulder sides have unusual diagonal grooves that slope down and outwards that may have been used as pen rests. Inside the bottle are remnants of dried blue-black ink. The glass has imperfections and some ripples on the surface. The bottle has an attached oval black label label with gold-brown printed text and border. The base has an embossed inscription. The bottles once contained Caldwell’s blend of blue black ink.Printed on label; “CALDWELL's BLUE BLACK INK” Embossed on the base "CALDWELLS"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, ink, nib pen, writing ink, writing, copying, banks, lawyers, commerce, student, permanent ink, blue black ink, stationery, record keeping, handwriting, writing equipment, writing accessory, office supply, cottage bottle, boat bottle, mouth-blown bottle, cork seal, f r caldwell, caldwell’s ink company, albert park, south melbourne, inkstands, stencil ink, copy ink, quicksticker, zac cough mixture, three part mould, cauldwells, cauldwell's

This shaped ink bottle made by Caldwell's is called a 'boat ink bottle'. It was shaped especially to hold a nib pen when the pen was not in use. The design of the bottle is sometimes called a ‘cottage’ or ‘boat’ shape. The Caldwell’s handmade glass ink bottle was mouth-blown into a two-piece mould, a method often used in the mid-to-late 19th century. The glass blower burst the bottle off the end of his blowpipe with a tool, leaving an uneven mouth and sharp edge on the bottle, which was usually filed. The bottle was then filled with ink and sealed with a cork. More expensive bottles would have a lip added, which was more time-consuming and costly to produce. The capacity for a bottle such as this was about 3 ½ oz (ounces) equal to about 100 ml. Pen and ink have been in use for handwriting since about the seventh century. A quill pen made from a bird’s feather was used up until around the mid-19th century. In the 1850s a steel point nib for the dip pen was invented and could be manufactured on machines in large quantities. The nis only held a small amount of ink so users had to frequently dip the nib into an ink well for more ink. Handwriting left wet ink on the paper, so the blotting paper was carefully used to absorb the excess ink and prevent smudging. Ink could be purchased as a ready-to-use liquid or in powdered form, which needed to be mixed with water. In the 1880s a successful, portable fountain pen gave smooth-flowing ink and was easy to use. In the mid-20th century, the modern ballpoint pen was readily available and inexpensive, so the fountain pen lost its popularity. However, artisans continue to use nib pens to create beautiful calligraphy. Caldwell’s Ink Co. – F.R. Caldwell established Caldwell’s Ink Company in Australia around 1902. In Victoria, he operated from a factory at Victoria Avenue, Albert Park, until about 1911, then from Yarra Bank Road in South Melbourne. Newspaper offices were appointed as agencies to sell his inks, for example, in 1904 the New Zealand Evening Star sold Caldwell’s Flo-Eesi blue black ink in various bottle sizes, and Murchison Advocate (Victoria) stocked Caldwell’s ink in crimson, green, blue black, violet, and blue. Caldwell’s ink was stated to be “non-corrosive and unaffected by steel pens”. A motto used in advertising in 1904-1908 reads ‘Makes Writing a Pleasure’. Stationers stocked Caldwell’s products and hawkers sold Caldwell’s ink stands from door to door in Sydney in the 1910s and 1920s. In 1911 Caldwell promised cash for returned ink bottles and warned of prosecution for anyone found refilling his bottles. Caldwell’s Ink Stands were given as gifts. The company encouraged all forms of writing with their Australian-made Flo-Eesi writing inks and bottles at their impressive booth in the ‘All Australian Exhibition’ in 1913. It advertised its other products, which included Caldwell’s Gum, Caldwell’s Stencil Ink (copy ink) and Caldwell’s Quicksticker as well as Caldwell’s ‘Zac’ Cough Mixture. Caldwell stated in a 1920 article that his inks were made from a formula that was over a century old, and were scientifically tested and quality controlled. The formula included gallic and tannic acids and high-quality dyes to ensure that they did not fade. They were “free from all injurious chemicals”. The permanent quality of the ink was important for legal reasons, particularly to banks, accountants, commerce, municipal councils and lawyers. The Caldwell’s Ink Company also exported crates of its ink bottles and ink stands overseas. Newspaper advertisements can be found for Caldwell’s Ink Company up until 1934 when the company said they were the Best in the business for 40 years.This pen and ink bottle set is of significance as the bottle has its original cork and retains remnants of ink, which was made from a recipe that at the time was over 100 years old, according to Caldwell.. The handmade, mould blown method of manufacture is representative of a 19th-century handcraft industry that is now been largely replaced by mass production. The bottle and its contents are of state significance for being produced by an early Melbourne industry and exported overseas. The pen and ink set is historically significant as it represents methods of handwritten communication that were still common up until the mid-20th century when fountain pens and modern ballpoint pens became popular and convenient and typewriters were becoming part of standard office equipment.Victorian boat ink bottle; small rectangular clear glass ink bottle with horizontal grooves made in the glass for resting and holding the pen. The set includes one pen and nib with the bottle and cork. The bottle is made by Caldwell's and contains its Flo-Eesi Blue Black Ink brand."Caldwell's Flo-Eesi Blue Black Ink."flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, ink, nib pen, writing ink, writing, copying, banks, lawyers, commerce, student, permanent ink, flo-eesi, blue black ink, stationery, record keeping, handwriting, writing equipment, writing accessory, office supply, cottage bottle, boat bottle, mouth-blown bottle, two-part mould, sheer-lip bottle, burst-lip, cork seal, f r caldwell, caldwell’s ink company, albert park, south melbourne, inkstands, stencil ink, copy ink, quicksticker, zac cough mixture