Umbrella Inks in the News
17 April 2012 (R•091515)
Umbrella Inkwells have been in the news lately with the announcement of the FOHBC Reno Expo 2012 shoot-out including Drakes Plantation Bitters, Circle Cutter Whiskies and Umbrella Inks. Read Further: Shoot-out Update – FOHBC Reno Expo 2012. There has also been some great pictures posted on the Bottle Collectors facebook page by John April that have been simply stunning.
Always a crowd and collector favorite, Umbrella Inkwells are typically a “fluted-cone stand”, with eight connecting panels to form the sides. They were used from the 1820’s to 1880’s. The pontiled and smooth base Umbrella Inks come in many fantastic colors and are some of the most sought-after inks by collectors.
The Umbrella Inks come in a assortment of types. While most are eight sided, others can be twelve, sixteen, ten, or even six sided. These inks are rarely embossed. Most umbrella ink bottles are found in a light blue-green color called aqua. Assembling the many different colors can be quite a challenge. The available mineral (coloring agent) was limited. Bottles would only come in various shades of green, yellow, amber, clear, blue, and sometimes, but rarely amethyst. Finding all these different color variations can be quite a challenge. Some ink bottles even had the ink company name embossed on the side which would add to its rarity, as this would involve another step in the mold making process and not often done. Paper labels were applied instead, a much simpler and cheaper production process.
I have compiled some pictures from dealers, collectors and other sources for your enjoyment and comparison.
Nice color run of Umbrella Inks
Umbrella Ink collection – Southeast Bottle Club 2005 – Mike Newman
Cov #137, Giant Umbrella Inkwell, medium cobalt blue, deep tubular Open Pontil, 3 1/8″ high. Extremely rare with only a few known examples in a blue color, America, circa 1840 to 1850. Previously sold by GreatAntiqueBottles.com (Ed and Kathy Gray)
Left to Right – open pontil purple/wine type tone, pink 12 sided op, op puce ink and a smooth based lilac purple that looks like watered down welch’s grape juice – John April
Umbrella Ink in citron green – Antique Ink Bottle Hall of Fame
Umbrella Ink, medium to deep teal green, octagonal, pontil scar, 2 5/8″H, inwardly rolled mouth, mint. American, C. 1850 – photo Jeff & Holly Noordsy
Smooth based umbrella ink in a peacock / prussian blue type color – John April
Three Umbrella Inks – Meyer Collection
Open pontil puce umbrella – John April
Umbrella Ink, golden amber, octagonal, pontil scar, 2 ¼”H, inwardly rolled mouth, mint. New England, probably blown at a Stoddard Glass Works, Stoddard, NH, C. 1850 – photo Jeff & Holly Noordsy
Very rare, large Umbrella Ink with long neck in a rich, blue green color – GreatAntiqueBottles.com
Similar to Cov #143, deep emerald green, open tubular pontil – GreatAntiqueBottles.com
Cov #139 – Umbrella Inkwell with 8 concave sides – GreatAntiqueBottles.com
Eight sided Umbrella Ink in sapphire blue – GreatAntiqueBottles.com
Umbrella Inkwell in a deep amethyst – GreatAntiqueBottles.com
Green Umbrella Inks – John April
Very rare clear Umbrella Inkwell with an open pontil – GreatAntiqueBottles.com
Some fruity Umbrella Inks – John April
Lot: 6 “Blake & / Herring / N-Y.” Umbrella Inkwell, America, 1840-1860. Octagonal, medium blue green, inward rolled mouth – tubular pontil scar, ht. 2 7/8 inches, greatest dia. 2 3/4 inches. Similar in form and construction to C #137 Rare size and embossing. Beautiful bright color. Fine condition. Ex Robert Mebane collection. – Heckler Auction 128
Wow! What a wonderful “rainbow of color” to see on a dreary, overcast day! I, for one, feel happier already! Thanks Ferd.