Stephens' Radiant Blue

[RobbW]

Upon leaving Stephens to start my own company I took with me the Registrars ink business. I am still selling Registrars ink ( Iron Gall Ink) theough my company ESS (Ecclesiastical Stationery Supplies.

 

Thanks for the background. You have a new customer!

 

I, too, would like to ask for photos of the ink-stained teak planks.

[Epr969]

I think it was Stephens Blue ink that had a lovely smell to it...seem to remember it from the 1980's, it and I think Parker ink was all you could get in Ireland at the time.

 

Eric.

[bobje]

Peter Ford of Mr. Pen in the UK offers a modified Diamine ink based on Radiant Blue. Here's a review.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/297290-radiant-blue-a-diamine-ink-from-mr-pen/

[stephenfountain]

I grew up with 'Stephens ink', and being a name sake, always had an affection for the brand. Can only remember having the choice between it, and the ubiquitous Parker ink at the time (it was the 70s!). Having recently rediscovered my love of proper writing instruments, I stumbled upon this thread via google search on looking for a bottle of it! Sorry for dragging up such an old post, but, surely worth it!

[lapis]

Thanks for draggig up an 'old post'! I've never forgotten the ink, occasionally just the post!

[EdwardSouthgate]

Just bought some early 20th century Stephens 35 Scarlet . Here is a test done by the seller . Mine is on the was so I have not tried it yet . The original ceramic bottle is pictured behind the decanted and filtered samples he had for sale . I bought the last 18 2ml size that he had .

 

Eddie

[TheDutchGuy]

This is a wonderful thread, very interesting. Thanks!

[SchaumburgSwan]

This is a wonderful thread, very interesting. Thanks!

 

Absolutely.

 

Very interesting posting about Stephens ink especially as I worked for Stephens ( and later DRG ) from 1962 until 1972. Apart from manufacturing writing inks Stephens also made a large variety of speciality inks for example, meat marking ink, ink to mark crustations to research their traveling habits, plasterboard marking ink, Stephens Registrars ink etc.

When the move was made from Gilespie Road, Highbury to the old Express Milk depot at 100 Drayton Park, by that time the volume of ink sales was declining and as a result Stephens gave up making ink in large circular teak vats holding thousands of gallons of ink, instead they opted to make smaller quantities in plastic barrels. I bought one of the old Teak vats from Stephens and I had the timber machined into usuable timber. As the lengths of teak was planned so the colours of the various inks which had been mixed in the vat were revealed. Incredible to see it's life history revealed in a rainbow of colours.

Upon leaving Stephens to start my own company I took with me the Registrars ink business. I am still selling Registrars ink ( Iron Gall Ink) theough my company ESS (Ecclesiastical Stationery Supplies..Though we do not promote this name any more favouring ESS )

Vic Stevenson.

 

Dear Vic,

 

I just want to thank you for providing this unique ink.

I like it a lot and so it was very interesting to read about it's history.

 

I hope you are fine.

 

Best wishes

Jens

Edited May 30, 2019 by SchaumburgSwan