Davis Automatic Inkstand – Post 1900 Patents

Note: for examples of Davis Automatic Inkstands made before 1900, see this Inkipedia entry: Davis Automatic Inkstand – Pre 1900 Patents – The Society of Inkwell Collectors (SOIC)

Description of the Inkstand This Davis Automatic Inkstand is a blend of late 19th-century ingenuity and craftsmanship. It features a square cut-glass base with beveled edges, topped by a hard rubber reservoir assembly. The rubber cap is engraved with four patent dates:

• October 22, 1889 (Patent No. 413,390)
• February 14, 1893 (Patent No. 491,640)
• June 6, 1899 (Patent No. 626,218)
• April 11, 1905 (Patent No. 786,959)

The overall design reflects Emry Davis’s evolving attempts to create a self-regulating ink delivery system that minimized mess, evaporation, and waste.

⚙️ How It Works The Davis Automatic Inkstand uses a float-and-plunger mechanism housed inside a sleeve within the reservoir. Here’s the basic operation:

• A plunger sits inside a sleeve that extends into the ink reservoir.
• When a pen is pressed into the dipping cup, it depresses the plunger.
• This action forces ink up through a supply tube into the dipping cup, where the pen is inked.
• Once the pen is removed, the plunger rises, and the ink recedes, minimizing exposure to air and reducing evaporation.

The system relies on air pressure equilibrium and a clever arrangement of tubes and flanges to regulate ink flow and prevent leaks.

🔧 Improvements in the 1905 Patent (No. 786,959) This patent introduced several refinements to improve ink regulation and usability:

• Telescoping Adjustment Tube: A tubular device (shaped like an inverted “T”) was added inside the supply tube. It allowed fine-tuning of ink flow and air pressure by adjusting its position.
• Flange System: Interlocking flanges on the adjustment tube and supply tube prevented the inner tube from falling out or misaligning during use.
• Airflow Control: The cross-arm of the T-tube directed incoming air beyond the sleeve opening, preventing air bubbles from interfering with ink delivery.
• Ease of Cleaning: The entire sleeve, plunger, and adjustment device could be removed together, making the reservoir easy to clean—an important feature for inkstands used daily.
• Improved Fit and Movement: The design allowed the adjustment tube to rotate and move freely, reducing friction and accommodating wear over time.

These enhancements made the inkstand more reliable, easier to maintain, and better suited for steel pens.

📝 Pamphlet Summary: Davis Automatic Inkstand This vintage promotional pamphlet presents the Davis Automatic Inkstand as a technologically advanced and economically wise choice for writers and businesses. It blends marketing flair with detailed endorsements and even mathematical logic to convince potential buyers.

⭐ Key Selling Points

• Guarantees perfect pen inking every time.
• Uses pure ink without adulterants.
• Adjustable ink flow for individual preferences.
• Simple to clean and fill, reducing maintenance effort.
• Durable and long-lasting, contributing to cost savings over time.

👨‍💼 Endorsed by Major Users

Notable institutions—insurance companies, law offices, and railroads—are listed as satisfied users, emphasizing the inkstand’s reliability and widespread acceptance in professional settings.

💬 Testimonials

The pamphlet features glowing testimonials claiming:

• Significant savings in time, ink, and pen usage.
• Smooth and consistent operation even with long-term use.

💰 Bold Reward Offer

Davis challenges skeptics by offering $20 gold piece to anyone who can disprove any claims made in the pamphlet—a confident move to back the product’s reliability.

📈 Economic Argument

It compares ink cost returns against investment yields:

• An $18 investment in the inkstand yields more return in ink savings than $500+ in railroad stock.
• Various ink prices are used to illustrate monthly savings at an 8% annual return.

It’s a wonderfully direct piece of historical marketing—combining utility, endorsement, and economic appeal to sell not just an inkstand, but a philosophy of efficiency.