Steamship Company Advertising

This is a promotional inkwell for Lykes Brothers, Inc., given to clients, shippers, or offices to advertise the company’s multi-port network.

The Manufacturer: The J.E. Mergott Co.

The circular stamp on the bottom of the base identifies the manufacturer as The J.E. Mergott Company of Newark, New Jersey.

Founded in the late 1880s, the J.E. Mergott Co. was one of the largest manufacturers of metal advertising specialties in the United States. They were famous for producing “brass-wash” or brass-plated sheet metal novelties, including desk sets, paper clips, and inkwells. The Greek key border (Grecian motif) seen on this inkwell was a signature design element for Mergott during the Art Deco and Neo-Classical revival periods of the early 20th century.

Dating the Inkwell: Circa 1918–1922

We can narrow down the age of this piece using the “Lykes Brothers Incorporated” name and the list of ports:

• 1910: The seven Lykes brothers formally merged their interests to form Lykes Brothers, Incorporated. Before this, they operated as various partnerships.
• The Ports: The list of cities includes New York. While Lykes was active in the Gulf and Cuba from 1900, they did not establish a formal office in New York until the World War I era (approx. 1917–1921) to handle the massive expansion of cargo shipping during and after the war.
• 1922: The company underwent a major reorganization, creating the Lykes Brothers Steamship Company. Promotional items produced after 1922 almost always feature “Steamship Co.” or the “Lykes Lines” branding rather than just “Lykes Brothers Incorporated.”

Estimated Age: This inkwell likely dates to between 1918 and 1922, a period when the company was transitioning from a regional cattle shipper into a global steamship powerhouse.

Historical Context & Advertisements

During this era, Lykes Brothers advertised heavily in maritime journals and newspapers like the New York Tribune and The Gulf Marine Register. Their ads from the early 1920s often used the exact same “Multi-Port” list found on this inkwell to emphasize their dominance in the Gulf of Mexico.