DIETZGEN No 2745 Handy Pen-Filling Ink Stand

The Dietzgen inkwell was used for drafting purposes. My best understanding as to how this worked:

• Secure an ink bottle in the base with the adjustable holder.
• Lower the spring dipper shaft into the bottle of ink.
• Then raising the dipper shaft brings up a “perfect” drop of ink.
• Touch the drafting pen to the shaft and transfer ink from the shaft to the pen. This would keep excessive ink from the tip of the pen than if you were to dip the pen directly into the ink bottle, especially considering the variety of shapes and sizes of drafting pens.

A Dietzgen catalog describes the devise this way:

“This Handy Pen-Filling Ink Stand is made to hold a ¾ oz. bottle of drawing ink. The arm which holds the dipper can be opened from any angle by a slight pressure of the finger upon the tipper bar. With the pen held as when ruling a line, the bar is depressed and the pen is brought directly under the dipper. The whole operation is easily performed with one hand. The automatic stopper fits closely over the mouth of the bottle and prevents evaporation. Handsomely enameled, strongly constructed and of sufficient weight to prevent tipping.”

Major Adolph Langsner, Chief Engineer for the Dietzgen Company, filed a patent on his invention in 1927 (pictured) which was granted August 12, 1930 (US1,772,610A). The inkwell came with screws if one wanted to bolt it to a drafting table.

For a complete history of the Dietzgen Company, established in 1885, follow this link: Eugene Dietzgen Co., est. 1885 – Made-in-Chicago Museum (madeinchicagomuseum.com)