Bradley and Hubbard Inkwell

This Bradley and Hubbard inkwell has a bronze-colored finish. The base flares out into a clover-like shape with rounded edges and is trimmed with brass. The inkwell has a dome-like hinged lid.

The inkwell has the Bradley and Hubbard triangle & lantern mark on the bottom. It was devised sometime after the 1875 reorganization when the company was renamed The Bradley and Hubbard Manufacturing Company and possibly as late as circa 1902.

Bradley and Hubbard employed several documented marks to identify their products, many of which were in use throughout the company’s 88-year existence. Dating Bradley and Hubbard products based solely on the maker’s mark is therefore unreliable. It is unclear why so many different marks were used by the company concurrently and although their 1884 masthead referred to the lantern as their trademark, searches of United States Patent and Trademark Office records have yet to locate the company’s application for this mark.

Founded in 1852 in Meriden, Connecticut, Bradley & Hubbard was renowned for producing high-quality metalware, including lamps, clocks, and various decorative items. The company was known for its artistic merit and innovative designs, securing over 200 patents throughout its history. By the 1890s, Bradley & Hubbard had become synonymous with excellence in metalwork.

For a complete and comprehensive history of the company, visit the Smithsonian website: The Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Company (cloud.microsoft)