A small collection of draftsman's nibs used by Cliff Lowerson (dec.).Collection of miscellaneous draftsman's pen nibs, in "Strepsils" tin.Feb 86 (tin)pen nibs

Sands & McDougall was a printing and publishing business based in Melbourne, Australia, operating from 1853 to 1973Pen Nibs (box of ) 72 nibs / Dark red cardboard box labelled - 'Sands & Mc Dougall Pty Ltd , Aerial Pen nibs marked the same.'Sands & Mc Dougall Pty Ltddomestic equipment, writing equipment, 'sands & mc dougall pty ltd , / - aerial pen nibs

The two cards of nibs are retail display cards of the dip pen nibs that William Mitchell Calligraphy produced, dating back to around the 1920’s, which was the time of the Great Exhibition in the UK. At that time dip pens with steel nibs were the main writing instruments. British Pens Ltd. had recently formed as a company and its subsidiaries included the the company William Mitchell, which is why British Pens Ltd. is named on the cards as well. One card (1) has the Round Hand nib, which is widely used today for calligraphy scripts. The other card (2) has the Script nib that has round upturned points for monocline or unshaded lettering that is also used for calligraphy. The nibs also have a detachable reservoir. The pen nibs are shaped to fit into a slot in the base of a wooden or Bakelite pen holder. The hole at the front of the nib is for collecting ink from a well, which is then stored in a reservoir at the back of the nib. The nibsare stamped with their nib size and Pedigree (what type of nib it is) and maker’s details. William Mitchell Calligraphy still makes these nibs today with a slightly difference finish. (ref: Sales and Marketing Director of William Mitchell Calligraphy in 2016). HISTORY of the Ink Pen Quills and ink were common writing tools until the early 19th century when the pen trade began mass producing steel nibs and pens. The steel nibs each have a hole in the middle that acts like a well for the ink. When the nib is dipped into the ink well the writer needs to ensure that it is dipped to only just past that well. India Ink was one of the most popular inks used with the nib pens, notable for its satin-like smooth flow. This ink is composed of a particularly fine carbon mixed with water; it can also be obtained as a dry stick that is then crushed and mixed with water as required. The Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham had the largest concentration of independent jewellers in Europe. Birmingham became the centre of the world’s pen trade for many years -, during the 1800’s over 100 factories, employing 1000s of skilled workers, manufactured the ‘Birmingham Pen’. ABOUT WILLIAM MITCHELL CALLIGRAPHY LTD.* (*The following text is quoted from the William Mitchell Calligraphy website) British based William Mitchell Calligraphy has been designing and manufacturing exceptional pens for almost 200 years. The William Mitchell heritage in making pen nibs began whilst working with his brother John Mitchell in the early 1820s. William Mitchell established his own business in 1825 to become one of the leading nib manufacturers and famous for lettering pens. Almost 100 years later William Mitchell merged with Hinks, Wells & Co, another pen manufacturer, to form British Pens, employing around 1000 people in the Bearwood Road area of Birmingham. During the early 1960s British Pens acquired the pen business of other pen manufacturers Perry & Co and John Mitchell, once again reuniting the two brothers. Joseph Gillott, who were famous for their artist drawing and mapping nibs, amalgamated with British pens in 1969. William Mitchell and Joseph Gillott established in Birmingham during the early part of the nineteenth century and [their products] are still proudly made here. British Pens were subsequently purchased by its current owner Byron Head, the owner of William Mitchell (Sinkers) in 1982, and was subsequently renamed William Mitchell (calligraphy) Ltd. Established in 1827 Joseph Gillott was one of the pioneers of mass steel pen nib manufacturing. The company was particularly strong in the American market, prompting Elihu Burrit, the American consul, to write “In ten thousand school houses across the American continent between two oceans, a million children are as familiarly acquainted with Joseph Gillott as with Noah Webster” (The compiler of the famous American dictionary). The company consequently received visits from many notable Americans, including president Ulysses S Grant. The early 19th century invention and mass production of pen nibs such these in our collection had a large impact on education and literacy because the nibs could be produced in great numbers and affordable prices.Pen nibs; 2 cards of steel dip pen nibs from the 1920’s. The steel nibs are attached to cards by 2 rows of entwined cotton cord. Reverse sides of cards have some hand written marks. Manufacturer; William Mitchell, Birmingham, England. Card issued by British Pens Ltd. Nibs have shaped ends, a hole in the centre with a well on the underside, and the tops are shaped approximately quarter circle. Inscriptions are pressed into each nib. The script pens have detachable reservoirs made of a metal different to the nib. (Card 1) Round Hand Pens, 11 nibs remain from card of 12. Printed on card “Round Hand Pens for Beautiful Writing, Twelve degrees of point, Square points. William Mitchell, Birmingham, England. This card is issued by British Pens Ltd. MADE IN ENGLAND” Also printed on top left of card is a pen drawing of a person writing at a desk, background of decorative 3-paned window in brick wall. (Card 2) Script Pens; 11 nibs remain from card of 12. “Script pens fitted with detachable reservoir. William Mitchell, Birmingham, England. This card is issued by British Pens Ltd. MADE IN ENGLAND” Also printed on top right of card is a pen drawing of a person writing at a desk, background of decorative 3-paned window in brick wall. On Card 1, - each nib is stamped with its size, and “Wm MITCHELLS / PEDIGREE / ROUND HAND / ENGLAND” - hand written on front bottom of card in ball point pen “Lettering 5 times size of nib” - hand drawn on back of card in red and blue ball point pen are scribbled lines On Card 2 - each nib is stamped with its size, and “WILLIAM / MITCHELLS / SCRIPT PEN / ENGLAND” - a black circle corresponding to the nib is printed on the card above each nib. - hand written on back of card in black felt tip pen are numerals - hand drawn on back, 4 parallel lines in red ball point pen with the numbers “10” between 2 of the lines flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, william mitchell calligraphy ltd, british pens ltd., pen nib, writing implement, dip pen, round hand nib, script nib, birmingham manufacturer, communication in writing, mass produced pen nibs

1 pen with wooden handle plus box of metal nibs, small cardboard box with red, green & yellow graphics, worded circular pointed pens scribbler pen No 147.C.Brandauer & Co Ltd Birminghamdomestic equipment, writing equipment, pen & nibs

Used by Mason Day Frecker (RAAF) during WWIIPen nibs used during 1939-1945a22.12

These nibs were used by children in school when they used pen and ink to learn to write.A small cardboard box containing approximately 60 pen nibs.schools, george evans collection

Dip pens emerged in the early 19th century, when they replaced quill pens. They were generally used prior to the development of fountain pens in the later 19th century, and are now mainly used in illustration, calligraphy, and comics. A nib pen usually consists of a metal nib with capillary channels like those of fountain pen nibs, mounted on a handle or holder, often made of wood. Other materials can be used for the holder, including bone, metal and plastic. Generally speaking, dip pens have no ink reservoir; therefore the user has to recharge the ink from an ink bowl or bottle in order to continue drawing or writing. Birmingham, England was home to many of the first dip pen manufacturers. John Mitchell pioneered mass production of steel pens in 1822; prior to that the quill pen had been the most common form of writing instrument. His brother William Mitchell later set up his own pen making business in St Paul's square. The Mitchell family is credited as being the first manufacturers to use machines to cut pen nibs, which greatly sped up the process. Germany 1842 began at the factory of Heintze & Blanckertz in Berlin By 1860 there were about 100 companies making steel nibs in Birmingham, but 12 large firms dominated the trade. Dip pens are rarely used now for regular writing, most commonly having been replaced by fountain pens, rollerball pens, or ballpoint pens. However, dip pens are still appreciated by artists, as they can make great differences between thick and thin lines, and generally write more smoothly than other types of pens. Dip pens are also preferred by calligraphers for fine writing. Richard Esterbrook was a Cornish Quaker from England who saw an opportunity in the United States to manufacture Steel Pens. In 1856 R.Esterbrook traveled to the US to set up shop as 'The Steel Pen Manufacturing Company' where Richard made these steel pens by hand using special tools and machines (mostly that Richard had to invent). In 1858 he was able to establish himself as the sole pen manufacturer in the USA and he changed the company name to 'The Esterbrook Steel Pen Mfg. Co.' The company settled down in Camden, New Jersey. Quality was a key factor in his success. His steel pens were versatile, long lasting, and came in many different styles to fit the varied writing styles of the public. Sadly, Richard Esterbrook didn't see the 'empire' his company was to become as he passed away in Atlanta on October 12th 1895 . in 1896 they started an Esterbrook branch in England to join the ranks of the other main pen manufactures in Birmingham . In 1912 the company had gotten so large that they erected a 5 story building, just to continue manufacturing pens. By 1920 the fountain pen was fast becoming more popular amongst people who were tired of 'dipping.' To meet this demand the company manufactured its first fountain pen. In 1930 the company sought less expensive means of manufacturing pens because gold and 'jewel' tips were too expensive and in this same year they began selling fountain pens in England . The Esterbrook Company began using the metal Iridium which they called 'Durachrome.' To meet the fountain pen demand the company reformed as 'The Esterbrook Hazel Pens Ltd.' In 1940 war had come to strike a blow at the Esterbrook company. On November 19th 1940 their England location was hit by an incendiary bomb destroying half of the location! To make matters worse, when putting out the fire using a human water bucket chain, someone accidentally grabbed a bucket of paraffin and set the place further ablaze. Oddly enough, the company was able to rebuild the structure during the war. However, the government had placed a stipulation that 50% of its capacity was to be used for government related purposes. In 1947 the company bought out John Mitchell and the American branch had already acquired Hazel Pen Co. The company re-formed again as 'The Esterbrook Pen Company.' This is the last company name the dip pen nibs were manufactured under. A box of Steel dipping nibs for writing pensOn Box; Photo of man / R. Esternbrook Co. / PENS / PROBATEsteel nibs, writing pens, education, schools, writing, caligraphy, artists, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, dip pens, inkwells, fountain pens, mitchell john, birmingham england, esternbrook richard, maple barbara

8716.1 - Glass ink well and pen holder. 8716.2 - Pen nib. 8716.3 - Pen nib. 8716.4 - Pen nib. 8716.5 - Pen nib. 8716.6 - Pen nib. 8716.7 - Seal wax chip. 8716.8 - Seal wax. 8716.9 - Seal wax. 8716.10 - Seal wax. 8716.11 - Seal wax. 8716.12 - Seal wax. 8716.13 - Seal wax.8715.2 - MACNIVEN & CAMERON - WAVERLEY - BIRMNGHAM 8716.3 - R - MACNIVEN & CAMERON - WAVERLEY - BIRMINGHAM 8716.4 - BASTFORD'S - AUSTRALIAN No9 - AUSTRALIA 8716.5 - CBRANDAUER & COMPANY - BIRMINGHAM - ENGLAND - MIDLAND 8716.6 - CBRANDAUER & COMPANY - BIRMINGHAM - ENGLAND - MIDLAND

Made of Glass Has some black powder in it - could be dry ink

Box of dip pen nibs made by William Mitchell Calligraphy dating back to late 19th or early 20th century when dip pens with steel nibs were the main writing instruments. The pen nibs are shaped to fit into a slot in the base of a wooden or Bakelite pen holder. The hole at the front of the nib is for collecting ink from a well, which is then stored in a reservoir at the back of the nib. The nibs are stamped with their nib size and Pedigree (what type of nib it is) and maker’s details. William Mitchell Calligraphy still makes these nibs today with a slightly difference finish. (ref: Sales and Marketing Director of William Mitchell Calligraphy in 2016). HISTORY of the Ink Pen Quills and ink were common writing tools until the early 19th century when the pen trade began mass producing steel nibs and pens. The steel nibs each have a hole in the middle that acts like a well for the ink. When the nib is dipped into the ink well the writer needs to ensure that it is dipped to only just past that well. India Ink was one of the most popular inks used with the nib pens, notable for its satin-like smooth flow. This ink is composed of a particularly fine carbon mixed with water; it can also be obtained as a dry stick that is then crushed and mixed with water as required. The Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham had the largest concentration of independent jewellers in Europe. Birmingham became the centre of the world’s pen trade for many years -, during the 1800’s over 100 factories, employing 1000s of skilled workers, manufactured the ‘Birmingham Pen’. ABOUT WILLIAM MITCHELL CALLIGRAPHY LTD.* (*The following text is quoted from the William Mitchell Calligraphy website) British based William Mitchell Calligraphy has been designing and manufacturing exceptional pens for almost 200 years. The William Mitchell heritage in making pen nibs began whilst working with his brother John Mitchell in the early 1820s. William Mitchell established his own business in 1825 to become one of the leading nib manufacturers and famous for lettering pens. Almost 100 years later William Mitchell merged with Hinks, Wells & Co, another pen manufacturer, to form British Pens, employing around 1000 people in the Bearwood Road area of Birmingham. During the early 1960s British Pens acquired the pen business of other pen manufacturers Perry & Co and John Mitchell, once again reuniting the two brothers. Joseph Gillott, who were famous for their artist drawing and mapping nibs, amalgamated with British pens in 1969. William Mitchell and Joseph Gillott established in Birmingham during the early part of the nineteenth century and [their products] are still proudly made here. British Pens were subsequently purchased by its current owner Byron Head, the owner of William Mitchell (Sinkers) in 1982, and was subsequently renamed William Mitchell (calligraphy) Ltd. Established in 1827 Joseph Gillott was one of the pioneers of mass steel pen nib manufacturing. The company was particularly strong in the American market, prompting Elihu Burrit, the American consul, to write “In ten thousand school houses across the American continent between two oceans, a million children are as familiarly acquainted with Joseph Gillott as with Noah Webster” (The compiler of the famous American dictionary). The company consequently received visits from many notable Americans, including president Ulysses S Grant. Email on file, from Mike Chappell, Sales and Marketing Manager, William Mitchell Calligraphy, “20161122 - William Mitchell re pen nibs” How to use a dip pen to create modern calligraphy, https://thepostmansknock.com/how-to-use-a-dip-pen-to-create-modern-calligraphy/ India Ink, Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India_ink birmingham Pen Trade, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_pen_trade The Pen Museum, http://penmuseum.org.uk/ The early 19th century invention and later mass production of pen nibs such these in our collection had a large impact on education and literacy because the nibs could be produced in great numbers and affordable prices.Box of patent Mitchell nibs containing 48 "Pedigree" nibs. Box depicts picture of William Mitchell on lid, and picture of nib pen on lid and side. Made in Birmingham, England. Nib “0505 Wm MITCHELLS PEDIGREE ENGLAND” Box “PEDIGREE / MAINFOLD SLIP”, “WILLIAM MITCHELL / BIRM - - - - - - LOND” flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, william mitchell calligraphy ltd, pen nib, writing implement, writing accessories, dip pen, birmingham manufacturer, communication in writing, mass produced pen nibs

Green/Cream box containing pen nibs. Astor Pen. fountain pens, writing equipment

Birds eye walnut wooden writing box with mother of pearl inlay, unusual sloping design with brass presentation plaque inset into lid. Brass key escutcheon and key, purple velvet lining and compartments for ink bottles, pens, etc. Contains pen nibs plus a full box of Esterbrook pen nibs. Plaque reads, presented to Miss Ada Hirst by the members S.M.I.A 1.1.91R Estebrook & Co Pens made in England 314 relief registered trade mark.domestic equipment, writing equipment, writing box, dr302

Pen-wipers or pen-cleaners were invented to prolong the usefulness of their pens by keeping them clean and dry between uses. This helped to prevent rusting of the nib from water-based inks. In the 1890s and 1900s, with the rise of the fountain pen, pen-cleaners remained a popular desktop accessory, since they could still be used to wipe away the excess ink from the nib and feed of a pen, once it had been refilled in an inkwell. Pen-cleaners died out in the second half of the 1900s when people started using ballpoint pens.This item is from Raper Collection donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mrs. Jean Raper. A blue/mauve glass bowl on 6 petal shaped metal feet. It contains a central black brush which was used to clean the ink from metal pen nibs.domestic items, writing implements, pen and ink

From Athol Ferguson - great grandson of Henry William Paul (1838-1911).Brass nib cleaner with brush on base. Removable top has open area to put pen nibs through to clean. Brass top has ornate engraving on top.nibs, writing equipment

Black wooden box with cream coloured embossing on lid and front section. Inside has dark crimson velvet panel (writing surface) which lifts up for storage. Has section for pens/nibs.

Leather pen case, containing writing equipment, possibly used by early surveyor or draftsmanCylindrical leather case containing bottles for ink and sand, holders for pens, nibs, etc. Red leather lining. Ruler, bone-spreader, ivory and brass seal, and pen-holder included. Brass external clasps.writing equipment, writing cases

Item relates to Hewston Collection WWI & WWII. The tin held some of the collection material.Tin, metal, hinged lid embossed with His Nib's & depictions of writing pen & ink nibs. Around tin is raised depictions of leaves & flowers.“204 Special Metal”containers, metalcraft - tin ware

The Keio University Hawks were one of the first two Aussie rules teams in Japan, along with the Waseda University Bombers. Those teams were formed to play a warm-up game at Yokohama baseball stadium before an exhibition match between VFL teams Essendon and Hawthorn. The first visit by the Keio Hawks to Australia was in September 1988, About 20 students from Keio and two or three from other universities made the trip. Their visit included training sessions at the Hawthorn and North Melbourne clubs. They then played Japan's first international match against the Sunbury Football Club's under-19 team.The following year they returned to Australia and during this visit played a match in Bacchus Marsh in September 1989. The Keio Hawks returned to Australia over subsequent years in the 1990s included some visits to Bacchus Marsh. During one of these visit a Keio Hawks pennant was presented to the Shire of Bacchus Marsh.Football club banner. Three vertical felt stripes in red and blue with the team name KEIO written in white felt block letters across the width of the banner. Along the top of the banner, a narrow strip of white felt with two metal eyelets to allow for display. Gold coloured textile fringe along the V-shaped bottom of the banner. In a whimsical reference to the university origin of the club, there are two gold felt crossed pen-nibs on the central red section. KEIOkeio university australian rules football club, australian rules football teams japan, australian rules football bacchus marsh

A small box of ball-pointed pen nibs (7 left). A yellow, red and black box containing metal no. 5 & 6M grey nibs. Named as balled-pointed pens, 2L Flewitt's Patent. On back: Suitable for writing in Every position, glide over. Any paper, never scratch nor stick in the paper. Manufactured by D. Leonards & Co. Birmingham. Solely for Ormiston & Glass Ltd. Contractors to H.M. Government 28 Newgate St., London ECcommerce, office equipment / stationery, domestic items, writing equipment

Taylor collection - Wooden writing box with mother of pearl inlay, purple velvet covered writing slope, compartments for pens, ink bottles, etc, brass lock & hinges.Contains 3 wooden pens with nibs of assorted sizes, a small cardboard box with sticks of coloured waxpersonal effects, containers, writing box

Textiles. Black leather writing satchell. Gold engraving R.M.D. on front flap, Trifold with front half flap fastened with suitcase clasp, includes pen with nibs (made in Germany). Blotting paper in leather frame, five leather pockets and inner section for paper. Leather carrying handle on top edge.''R.M.D.'' In Gold lettering on front flap.textiles, domestic, black leather writing satchell

From the Betty McPhee writing equipment collectionAn assortment of six steel nib pens - two with ordinary nibs, Three with different shapes, two brown, one maroon, one grey and two green.domestic items, writing equipment, school, equipment

The family of Miss Carol Pedersen-Green migrated to Australia from Norway c1900 and probably brought this desk set with them. A desk set comprising a wooden base with 2 cut outs for 2 clear glass ink wells with silver hinged lids. A ledge on either side to hold pens. and 4 rubber stops under base to maintain stability 5 wooden pens with steel nibs writig equipment, pens, glass inkwells, pederson-green carole, cheltenham, moorabbin, bentleigh, early settlers

This handmade, aqua glass ink bottle's design is sometimes called a ‘boat’ shape. The base was mouth-blown into a rectangular mould, evidenced by the lack of seams, the pontil, crease lies and the uneven thickness of the glass. The shoulder section was mouth-blown into a two-piece mould and then cut off from the blowpipe. The lip is sometimes referred to as a 'burst-lip, which was often filed to be smooth. This method of making bottles was often used in the mid-to-late 19th century. The bottle would then be filled with ink and sealed with a cork. More expensive bottles would have a lip added, which was more time-consuming and costly. The capacity for a bottle such as this was about 3 ½ oz (ounces) equal to about 100 ml. Pens are a common item for that period. Pen and ink have been used for handwriting since about the seventh century. A quill pen made from a bird’s feather was used until 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.The ink bottle is of interest, being made of aqua glass rather than the more common clear glass. This set of ink bottles and pens is significant because of the bottle's method of manufacture, which is representative of a 19th-century handcraft industry that has now been largely replaced by mass production. The bottle and pens are historically significant as tools used for handwritten communication until the mid-20th century when fountain pens and modern ballpoint pens became popular and convenient and mechanical typewriters became part of standard office equipment.Victorian 'Boat' ink bottle, small rectangular, aqua glass ink bottle with grooves along the long sides for pen rests. The base has a pontil, no seams, and the glass is uneven in thickness. The shoulder has two side seams and there is a ridge where it is joined onto the base; there are round indents on each of the shoulder, on the short sides, four in all. The mouth has rough edges. The neck leans to one side. The glass has impurities, crease lines and bubbles. There is dried ink in the bottle. Two pens with metal nibs are included with the ink bottle. 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, 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, copy ink, aqua glass

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 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.

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

An ink bottle was made of glass or ceramic and typically sat on a desk. The writer would dip the pen (or quill) into the bottle to put more ink on the pen. Because they sat on a desk, ink bottles were often decorative. 'Stephens' Ink' was invented by the British physician, Dr Henry Stephens (1796-1864), who in 1832 first developed his indelible "blue-black writing fluid" that became the basis of a successful manufacturing enterprise lasting over 130 years. Stephens' ink revolutionised office life in the latter half of the 19th century saving clerical workers much time previously spent mixing powdered inks and cleaning nibs. It was indelible and non-fading. After changes to the Australian import duties on inks, a local manufacturing works was established in the early 1930s by Stephens Inks (Australia) Ltd.We have mostly dispensed with ink bottles and quills. This item is an example of early stationery equipment commonly used in schools, households and commercial enterprises. A cylindrical brown glazed ceramic bottle with a pourer lip. This would have contained ink and had a cork seal. It would have had a paper label.Near base - This bottle is the property of Stephens' Inks Aust. Ltdcontainer ceramic stephens'-inks writing-equipment communication bottle stationery