Baseball Inkwell

This inkwell is a full-scale, realistic representation of a baseball, cast in metal and finished with an “ormolu gold” coating, giving it a bright and satin appearance.

• Baseball Component: The spherical top portion accurately replicates the look of a baseball, complete with raised “stitching” lines that simulate the seams of a real ball. This top section is hinged, allowing it to open at the “seam” to reveal the inkwell reservoir inside.
• Base: The baseball rests on a square, stepped display base. This base is also finished in the same “ormolu gold.” Notably, each corner of the base features a raised, square element, representing a baseball base (first, second, third, and home plate). This detail clearly reinforces the baseball theme.
• Finish: An advertisement from the N. Shure Company describes the finish as “ormolu gold finish”.

About the “N. Shure Company” of Chicago:

The N. Shure Company was a well-known wholesale novelty and general merchandise company based in Chicago, Illinois. They were active for several decades, primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

• Business Model: N. Shure Company operated as a wholesaler, meaning they purchased goods in bulk from various manufacturers and then resold them to retailers (like department stores, gift shops, novelty stores, and five-and-dime stores) across the United States.
• Catalogs: They were famous for their extensive and profusely illustrated mail-order catalogs. These catalogs were essential for retailers who wished to stock a wide variety of goods, from toys, stationery, and household items to jewelry, novelties, and seasonal merchandise. An image advertising this inkwell is shown here.
• Product Range: Their catalogs offered an incredibly diverse range of products, often focusing on affordable, popular, and sometimes quirky items that would appeal to a broad consumer base. The baseball inkwell fits perfectly within their typical offerings of desk accessories and novelties.
• Role in Distribution: Companies like N. Shure played a crucial role in the distribution network of the time, connecting manufacturers (who might not have had extensive sales forces) with thousands of small and large retailers nationwide.

• Patent Information: The inkwell is stamped “PAT’D SEPT 2^ND 1913”. The patent number (U.S. Patent #1,072,102 dated 9/2/13 for “an improvement in seams for securing together two pieces of material abutting upon each other edge to edge”) relates specifically to the hinged seam mechanism of the baseball’s cover, not necessarily to the overall design of the inkwell or the manufacturer of the entire piece.