Civil War Ink Writing Instruments

[BillTheEditor]

I'm pretty sure that Baystate Blue is a duplication of an ink from the 1940's, not from the Civil War period. Antietam is a reproduction of an ink from the 1860's, although it is more of a brick red than a bright red.

 

I'll go with the Baystate as a 1940's ink but for Antietam I will wait for Nathan to chime in on that one.

 

Kurt

See his comments in this post: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...ost&p=34171

 

It is based on the OLDEST ink in my vintage ink collection. By "oldest", I mean the oldest ink that could be viably rehydrated. As an ink color from the American Civil War era...the name was obvious to me.

 

I believe it was a type of ink made before the clear carmines, as it behaved like an 1890s carmine when rehydrated...yet obviously was a more complex color.

Edited August 28, 2008 by BillTheEditor

[Titivillus]

I'm pretty sure that Baystate Blue is a duplication of an ink from the 1940's, not from the Civil War period. Antietam is a reproduction of an ink from the 1860's, although it is more of a brick red than a bright red.

 

I'll go with the Baystate as a 1940's ink but for Antietam I will wait for Nathan to chime in on that one.

 

Kurt

See his comments in this post: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...ost&p=34171

 

It is based on the OLDEST ink in my vintage ink collection. By "oldest", I mean the oldest ink that could be viably rehydrated. As an ink color from the American Civil War era...the name was obvious to me.

 

I believe it was a type of ink made before the clear carmines, as it behaved like an 1890s carmine when rehydrated...yet obviously was a more complex color.

 

And I now stand corrected. Guess I remember all of the hand wringing about naming an ink about a battle.

 

 

 

[Johnny Appleseed]

Dear Bill The Editor,

 

Thank you for your response.

 

I appreciate the note on the color of red. So, brick red is more correct then. (More corrections to the myths and stories).

 

OK, wait. All I'm saying is that the Antietam ink is brick red, and that it is a reproduction of ONE ink from that period. I have no idea whether it is representative of red ink generally from that period. Don't read too much into my comment. Nathan Tardiff would be the one to tell you about that -- he is a historian as well as an expert on inks (I am neither).

 

I would also caution that Nathan claims it to be a re-creation of the oldest ink in his collection that could be reconsituted. There is no way to know if the color of the ink has changed from being dried out in the bottle since 1860.

 

John

[BillTheEditor]

I'm pretty sure that Baystate Blue is a duplication of an ink from the 1940's, not from the Civil War period. Antietam is a reproduction of an ink from the 1860's, although it is more of a brick red than a bright red.

 

I'll go with the Baystate as a 1940's ink but for Antietam I will wait for Nathan to chime in on that one.

 

Kurt

See his comments in this post: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...ost&p=34171

 

It is based on the OLDEST ink in my vintage ink collection. By "oldest", I mean the oldest ink that could be viably rehydrated. As an ink color from the American Civil War era...the name was obvious to me.

 

I believe it was a type of ink made before the clear carmines, as it behaved like an 1890s carmine when rehydrated...yet obviously was a more complex color.

 

And I now stand corrected. Guess I remember all of the hand wringing about naming an ink about a battle.

Oh, I do think you're right about why he named it Antietam. Whether someone calls the battle by that name or by Sharpsburg, it was a bloody horror. Things were different then. My great-grandfather was a Sgt. in one of the Confederate Tennessee units, and was wounded at Missionary Ridge. He managed to escape capture. It took him nearly a year to recover and return to his unit. He was lucky not to have lost his arm or his life. Family stories, passed down from generation to generation, tell how terrible it was for the infantry in those battles we only read about.

 

[BillTheEditor]

Dear Bill The Editor,

 

Thank you for your response.

 

I appreciate the note on the color of red. So, brick red is more correct then. (More corrections to the myths and stories).

 

OK, wait. All I'm saying is that the Antietam ink is brick red, and that it is a reproduction of ONE ink from that period. I have no idea whether it is representative of red ink generally from that period. Don't read too much into my comment. Nathan Tardiff would be the one to tell you about that -- he is a historian as well as an expert on inks (I am neither).

 

I would also caution that Nathan claims it to be a re-creation of the oldest ink in his collection that could be reconsituted. There is no way to know if the color of the ink has changed from being dried out in the bottle since 1860.

 

John

Yup.

 

[openionated]

Dear Openionated,

 

I have to agree with your post, and like a history buff--I'm all eyes and ears. I have limited space however, it is my understanding that the administrative desk that was portable was clever in every sense of the word. They had several books to tow around with them, filings, paper storage as well as ink and their instruments.

 

The portable writing desks they used were a marvel of space saving engineering. I think there are a couple of folks on here that vintage writing desks. You might try doing a search to see some pictures.

 

 

[Maria]

Dear Openionated;

 

Actually, I have my eyes on several writing desks, offered by a Civl War uniform supplier for reproduction uniforms.

 

Web site: www.ushist.com

 

On the right side in its own window there is a menu; just go to pens and writing supplies.

 

I have been very pleased by the business' response and fulfilling my orders. Very good people.

 

Respectfully,

Maria

 

Dear Openionated,

 

I have to agree with your post, and like a history buff--I'm all eyes and ears. I have limited space however, it is my understanding that the administrative desk that was portable was clever in every sense of the word. They had several books to tow around with them, filings, paper storage as well as ink and their instruments.

 

The portable writing desks they used were a marvel of space saving engineering. I think there are a couple of folks on here that vintage writing desks. You might try doing a search to see some pictures.

 

[Rob G]

I must have zigged when I should have zagged. One more time for the Early Office Museum:

 

http://www.officemuseum.com/

 

http://www.officemuseum.com/exhibits.htm

 

http://www.officemuseum.com/Pens.htm

 

 

Mott Media - Spencerian Penmanship (theory book and copybooks):

 

http://www.mottmedia.com/pages/publications.asp?Pub=spencer

[Maria]

Dear Rob G.,

 

Wonderful and informative links!

 

I know my mother has some of my father's parent's writing instruments hidden somewhere but, I seem to recall there are a few fancy engraved nibs and pens in wood boxes that would fit in the era of 1880's. Neat!

 

I also am seeing what I may need to see, as to look around on E-Bay or elsewhere; for authentic period nibs and stylists.

 

You are amazing Mr. Rob G.! Thank you. You are like the clues for a detective. Priceless!

 

Respectfully,

Maria

 

 

I must have zigged when I should have zagged. One more time for the Early Office Museum:

 

http://www.officemuseum.com/

 

http://www.officemuseum.com/exhibits.htm

 

http://www.officemuseum.com/Pens.htm

 

 

Mott Media - Spencerian Penmanship (theory book and copybooks):

 

http://www.mottmedia.com/pages/publications.asp?Pub=spencer