Baff Inkwell and Pen Set

This desk set is a classic example of American “Five-and-Dime” era stationery, manufactured by the Baff Manufacturing Company of North Arlington, New Jersey.

The Baff Company and Its History

The company was founded in the early-to-mid 1930s by Abraham Baff. It specialized in colorful, budget-friendly stationery items that were sold in popular chains like Woolworth’s and Kresge’s.

Abraham Baff was a prolific designer, and his son, Maynard Bruce Baff, has noted that nearly all of the company’s products—numbering over a hundred—were designed by his father. The company was well-known for its “Baff Fountain Feed Pen,” marketed with the iconic trademark: “Write A Letter – With One Dip.” This referred to a special feed mechanism under the nib that held a larger reservoir of ink than a standard dip pen, allowing the user to write an entire letter without re-dipping.

Materials: Catalin and Bakelite

The “plastic” parts of this set include:

• Catalin: The bright orange/yellow pen handle, the orange knob on the inkwell, and the marbled dark brown/amber pen holder are made of Catalin. Catalin is a cast phenolic resin (similar to Bakelite but produced in a different way) that was famous for its vibrant, gem-like colors and swirling patterns. Over time, it develops a deep patina; the bright orange was likely a lighter yellow or butterscotch when it was first made.
• Bakelite: The fluted black cap on the inkwell is likely made of Bakelite, which was often used for the more functional, heat-resistant, or darker components of desk sets.
• The Base: A rectangular stained wood (likely walnut or oak).

Description of Parts

1. The Base: A simple, rectangular wooden block that serves as the foundation. It features the original foil label identifying it as “A Baff Product.”
2. The Pen Holder: A curved, “J-shaped” arm made of marbled Catalin. Its ergonomic curve holds the pen at a ready-to-use angle.
3. The Inkwell: A clear reservoir (glass) with a black fluted cap. The bright orange Catalin cylinder on top acts as a decorative and functional grip for opening the well.
4. The Pen: A long, tapered dip pen made of bright orange Catalin.
5. The Nib: Marked “ALLOY-POINT 14 KT. GOLD PLATE U.S.A.” These were standard, reliable nibs produced for the mass market during the 1930s and 40s.

Patent Information and Dating

The “PAT. APP. FOR” (Patent Applied For) on the label indicates the set was manufactured while Abraham Baff’s designs were still moving through the U.S. Patent Office.

Abraham Baff was granted several design patents for his pens and desk accessories in the early 1940s. Most notably, he was granted U.S. Design Patents D139,903, D139,904, and D139,905 on January 2, 1945, for “Fountain Pen or Similar Article.” Because this set still bears the “Applied For” label, it was likely manufactured between 1942 and 1944, during the height of the company’s production but just before the final patent grants.

While the company began in the 1930s, the specific styling of this set and the patent timeline point to the early-to-mid 1940s as its most likely production date.