Deep Amber Carter’s “Shoulder Embossed” Cone Ink (c. 1880s)

Overview This is a rare example of a Carter’s Ink Company cone bottle from the late 19th century. While Carter’s cone inks are commonly found in clear or aqua glass, this example is blown in a deep amber color (appearing almost black or dark olive in low light) which is highly unusual for this specific mold.

Visual Description

• Form: Classic Victorian “cone” shape with a distinct, stepped shoulder ring.
• Color: A rich, deep amber. Under strong light, the glass reveals warm tobacco or olive-amber hues, distinguishing it from standard “black glass.”
• Embossing: The shoulder band features the bold, serifed lettering “CARTER’S”. The embossing is crisp and prominent, a desirable trait for collectors of “shoulder embossed” inks.
• Manufacturing:
  • Method: Hand-blown in a mold (BIM).
  • Lip: Features a hand-tooled ring lip (collar), characteristic of the 1880s production era.
  • Base: Plain, smooth base (post-bottom mold).

Condition Report Excellent Condition. The bottle is structurally perfect with no chips, cracks, or impact damage of any kind. As a “dug” bottle recovered from the ground, it exhibits a light interior haze and exterior patina consistent with burial.

Note Finding a Carter’s cone with such bold shoulder embossing is difficult in any color, but the deep amber hue makes this a standout piece. It likely represents a short-run production or a specific color code for a specialty ink (such as a copying ink or mucilage) that seldom survives today.

Summary of Specs:

• Height: approx. 2.5 inches (standard cone size)
• Color: Deep Amber / Dark Olive Amber
• Era: 1880s
• Embossing: Shoulder Only (“CARTER’S”)
• Finish: Tooled Ring
• Base: Plain