Inkipedia

Cobalt Blue Revolving (Snail) Inkstand

Categories Mechanical - Snail / Pivoting
Material Cast iron, Glass
Markings Unmarked
Manufacturer Landers Frary & Clark
Origin United States
Date or Era circa 1878
Measuring 4 ½” x 2 ¼” x 3 ½” high
Patent Patented May 14, 1878 – No. 203,757

A cast iron stand fitted with a cobalt blue inkwell. At the top is a pen rack that holds two pens. Manufactured by Landers, Frary, and Clark, New Britain, Connecticut.

The design for this revolving “snail” inkstand was patented on May 14, 1878 – No. 203,757. It changed the pivoting-points, which were directly on the glass and subject to breakage. This patent constructs the pivots with an intermediate disk to form the pivot bearings independent of the glass, and thereby preventing breakage.

Sold for $108 in October 2024

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