1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Inkstand

Description

• Base & Body: The inkstand is made from a grained hardwood with a stepped design consisting of a wide molded base and a smaller rectangular upper tier.
• The Inkwells: Positioned on the left and right sides of the upper tier are two inkwells. Their hinged metal lids are decorated with a swirling fluted relief pattern.
• Push-Button Mechanism: Located on the front vertical face of the wooden tier directly beneath each inkwell is a push-button release mechanism. Pressing these buttons disengages an internal latch, causing the spring-loaded fluted lids to pop open and expose the glass ink bottles inside.
• Central Compartment: In the middle sits an oval metal storage compartment lined with a soft cloth fabric, designed for storing stamps, nibs, or small desk items. The inner underside of this lid features the name “Columbus” engraved in cursive script. Directly beneath the script, stamped near the hinge, are the words “PAT APL FOR” (Patent Applied For).

The Embossed Scene on the Lid

The top exterior of the central oval lid features a detailed, low-relief embossed historical scene commemorating Christopher Columbus:

• Central Figure: Columbus stands tall near the center of a ship’s deck, pointing his arm outward toward the horizon, symbolizing the discovery of land.
• Crew Members: He is accompanied by three crew members: one figure sits hunched over a chest or crate on the left, another stands attentively just behind his shoulder, and a third kneels reverently before him on the right.
• Background Details: To the far right, the ship’s rigging and a wooden shroud ladder are clearly visible.
• Border: The entire central oval scene is framed by a decorative border composed of embossed stars.

Patent Analysis & History

Can the patent application be found?

Because the inkstand is stamped “Pat Apl for”, it indicates that the manufacturer went to market while the legal application was still pending. Many manufacturers of souvenir novelties hurried production to capitalize on the massive commercial market of the World’s Fair before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) could finalize administrative reviews.

Was the patent approved?

No definitive, finalized patent listing matching this exact mechanical arrangement under the trade name “Columbus” appears in the approved patent registries of 1892–1894. This means the patent application was likely never approved, remaining unissued, abandoned, or rejected after the fair concluded.

Was it a design or regular patent?

• Had it been successfully approved, the push-button mechanism and internal spring latch system would have fallen under a regular (utility) patent, as it describes a functional mechanical improvement for operating inkwell lids.
• A design patent would have instead covered only the specific ornamental silhouette of the wooden casing or the decorative relief on the lid.

Dating the Inkstand

This inkstand can be confidently dated to circa 1892–1893. It was manufactured in the United States specifically as a commemorative souvenir for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago, which celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus landing in the New World.