"Historical" Red and Green Ink Question.

[PithyProlix]

On 8/2/2022 at 5:07 AM, Z man said:

By the way, there are a little more than a couple gallons of inks from the 1930s through the 1950s on my shelves with more up to the 1990s. There is no consistency because formations came and went. Also, as just one example, Sheaffer had a dozen color variations in the 1950s.

 

It would be very nice to see photos of your vintage ink bottles, please, if it wouldn't be too much trouble. 

[PithyProlix]

On 8/2/2022 at 12:19 AM, afishhunter said:

I think this is where I should post my question.

Concerning the red and green fountain pen inks commonly used in the 1920's/1930's to the 1960's/1970's:

Was the Red a "Fire Engine" bright red (similar to that of today's ballpoint red) or were there commonly available variations, such as maroon, "brick red" or a "red-black" commonly available? 

Was the Green a Grass/Bright Green (similar to that of today's ballpoint green) or were there commonly available darker shades of green commonly available?

 

Aside from Black, Blue-Black, Red, and Green, were other colors of fountain pen inks, such as (but not limited to) Browns and Purples, commonly available?

 

Thank you in advance

 

Thank you for posting this question. I'd love to see more discussion of vintage ink. Sometimes experienced folks and/or experts will chime in and it's useful to have a collection of information in one place. 

 

(And please don't hesitate to ask any fountain pen-related question. If it's a question someone isn't interested in or doesn't like then they always have the choice to ignore it.)

[Misfit]

4 hours ago, PithyProlix said:

And please don't hesitate to ask any fountain pen-related question. If it's a question someone isn't interested in or doesn't like then they always have the choice to ignore it.)

Exactly right. I hope the OP comes back to experience the truly helpful part of FPN. 

[PithyProlix]

@amberleadavis Here's an Inky T O D for you: "Show Us Yer Vintage Ink". I didn't find a similar topic. 

[amberleadavis]

1 hour ago, PithyProlix said:

@amberleadavis Here's an Inky T O D for you: "Show Us Yer Vintage Ink". I didn't find a similar topic. 

 

Absolutely, do you  have pictures to share. I'll have to hunt some down.  If you get a chance, start the topic, I'll be back at a real computer by Monday.

[PithyProlix]

10 minutes ago, amberleadavis said:

 

Absolutely, do you  have pictures to share. I'll have to hunt some down.  If you get a chance, start the topic, I'll be back at a real computer by Monday.

 

I'll need to take some photos but I can certainly get it started.

 

[InkyColors]

6 hours ago, Misfit said:

Exactly right. I hope the OP comes back to experience the truly helpful part of FPN. 

My thoughts also. 

[amberleadavis]

 

[Runnin_Ute]

Skrip Emerald Green (#72) is the only I have had to date.

[Muncle]

What an interesting question!

 

To build on it, I wonder how a pen or ink company today decided what type of red or green to make. If you were to make [YOURNAME] Red, how would it look?

[Sailor Kenshin]

On 8/4/2022 at 11:59 AM, inkstainedruth said:

No, the term is "being RUDE".  

There was NO reason for Z man to answer a newbie that way.  None whatsoever.

I'd like to apologize to the OP for Z man's behavior.  (Of course, it would be NICER if Z man did his OWN apologies in future....)

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

Amen.

[txomsy]

8 hours ago, Muncle said:

What an interesting question!

 

To build on it, I wonder how a pen or ink company today decided what type of red or green to make. If you were to make [YOURNAME] Red, how would it look?

 

IMMHO, Most likely, as Diamine, Montblanc, Pilot, Waterman, Sailor and most others do, it would be a range of red shades.

[Lithium466]

Here is a picture of my historical red and green inks:

 

 

I didn't dare using them yet, blue and green seem fine in hue, red became more like a maroon burgundy.

I'm guessing the bottles were used in a school, based on the scribblings!

 

 

Edit: in my school days blue was for normal writing (some teachers wanted black, non "erasable" like standard blue is), red for teachers only, and green for students to put their corrections or annotations. In my early years some of my teachers forbid us to even have a red pen, and I remember when the first quad colors ballpoints came out, the thrill to have a forbidden item in class!

 

I remember Pelikan red (was it already 4001?) being "the" flashy red, while Waterman red was a little less vibrant. Also Waterman black being lame and greyish.

Now Pelikan 4001 red looks washed out to me...