Like most fountain pen users I am interested in ink; not so much modern inks which multiply by the day, but vintage inks like Stephens, Swan, Webster’s Diamine and earlier Parker inks, all of which I use. There are others that I have accumulated that might need a little work before using. These include a large earthenware bottle of Stephens Blue/Black, another earthenware bottle of Hindoo Red (manufacturer’s name indecipherable) Collier’s Black Ink and a glass bottle of Stephens Black.
Beyond the actual ink itself it would be good to create a list of old ink makers. I’ve come across them in old paper advertisements and on bottles offered in eBay among other sources. I might make a start on that.
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Hindoo is the name of a Macniven and Cameron nib so I assume they were the makers of Hindoo ink.
Thanks for a great blog.
Kevin.
Hello Kevin,
I thought of that too and it may well be correct but others used that spelling too. There was a lot of trade with India, much of it to the Imperial administrators and such Indian references may have been thought helpful.
I’m glad you enjoy the blog.
Hi. I too like using different inks when the opportunity arises. I recently bought a job lot of about 30 inks. Each almost a 50ml bottle full. I got the lot for £1 per bottle. I’m slowly working my way through them but taking care to avoid putting any harmful ones in my better fountain pens. Some of the oak gall inks can block a pen disastrously if left to dry out. Gives me something to do with my time in retirement.
Are these new or old inks?
Nothing over about 20 years old. Mainly noodlers and oldish Quinks. I’ve checked for rarity and nothing stands out.
Noodlers are good value with those big bottles filled to the top.
Yes, most of the old inks I’ve bought have been perfectly usable and good.
I was gifted a can of Webster’s Diamine. I still have to mix it with some water and test it 🙂
Sounds good, Bob. I had some Stephens powdered ink a while back.
I didn’t know Stephens did powdered ink
My husband remembers it being made up in school.