Beer Barrel Inkwell

Shown in the pictures are two examples of this inkwell in the shape of a beer barrel. Made of base metal with either a bronze or gold finish, the design is the same – the lid, when opened, lays flat exposing a pen rest. Both are marked on the bottom “J B PAT. APPL’D FOR”.  and made by Jennings Brothers. Both have the same cobalt blue liner.

Both have an emblem of a building attached to the front, which indicates these may have been souvenirs – sold to raise funds. One has the insignia of “Shriners Hospital Crippled Children, Springfield Mass”. The other bears the crest of the “State House, Denver Colo”. The Colorado State House was built in the 1890’s, while the Shriners Hospital in Springfield wasn’t built until 1925.

Interestingly, both inkwells are marked on each side in the same lettering “WE WANT BEER”. Apparently, these inkwells were meant to protest the 18^th Amendment to the US Constitution which prohibited production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. One guesses one or more organizations commissioned these inkwells to promote their anti-Prohibition message. But which organization(s)? A Shriners Hospital or a State House with an anti-Prohibition message seems a strange juxtaposition. Perhaps, if available, the patent application could provide more insight into this inkwell.

A third example has no emblem attached. The bottom is marked with a number: “J B 3369 PAT APPLD FOR”.

Included here is a picture from what became known as the “We Want Beer” parade. In 1932 with Prohibition in full swing, Jimmy Walker (New York City’s Mayor) organized the “Beer for Taxation March” which quickly turned into the “We Want Beer Parade” after thousands turned out for an all-day event. Starting down Fifth Avenue from 80th St. in Manhattan, the marchers went west on 59th St. and back north on Central Park West parading into the night. It started as a fairly small protest, but quickly swelled to an estimated 100,000 marchers (and some accounts put that number closer to 150,000). One of the slogans they chanted was “Beer for Prosperity” and they also chanted the call and response “Who wants beer?” followed by “We Do!”