Gleich’s Black Writing Ink Bottle

This is a remarkable survival of a large-format Gleich’s Black Writing Ink bottle, manufactured by The Commercial Paste Co. in Columbus, Ohio. While the glass is embossed with “Commercial Paste Co.,” the original label confirms that this specific vessel was used to distribute their line of writing fluids.

Label Summary

The main label is vibrant, featuring late Victorian-style typography in red, gold, and cream against a black background.

• Front Panel: Identifies the product as “Gleich’s Black Writing Ink” and notes it is “Non Corrosive”. It prominently lists the manufacturer as The Commercial Paste Co. of Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A..
• Side Panel (Utility): Describes “Gleich’s Blue Black Combination Writing and Copying Fluid,” noting it is ideal for bookkeeping and banks. It claims the ink “holds its own for ever” and will make a perfect copy after 6 hours.
• Side Panel (Adhesives): Advertises the company’s other products, including “Commercial Photo-Desk Paste,” described as a “snow white paste,” and “Commercial Peerless Mucilage,” made of pure gum Arabic.
• Side Panel (Specialty Ink): Mentions “Gleich’s Carmine Writing and Copying Fluid,” a free-flowing red ink that yields “clear cut copies” and does not affect steel pens.

Bottle Age and Manufacturing

• Estimated Era: This bottle likely dates to the early 20th century (c. 1910–1925).
• Construction: It is a large, cylindrical clear glass bottle with a cork closure. The shoulder is embossed with “COMMERCIAL PASTE CO. COLUMBUS, O. U.S.A.”.
• The “Paste” vs. “Ink” Confusion: The Commercial Paste Co. specialized in adhesives, hence the embossing on their custom-molded glass. However, like many stationary chemical companies of the era, they utilized their existing bottling infrastructure to sell a full range of desk supplies, including the Gleich’s line of inks.

The Commercial Paste Co. & Gleich’s Ink

The Commercial Paste Company was a major player in the American stationery market during the early 1900s.

• The Brand: Jacob Gleich was an Ohio-based chemist who patented several ink formulas in the late 19th century. The Commercial Paste Co. eventually acquired or licensed his name to market their premium writing fluids.
• The Company: Founded in Columbus, Ohio, the firm was well-known for its “Evans” brand of adhesives and its diverse line of office chemicals. They remained a staple of the Midwest industrial landscape for decades, and their large “master” bottles (like this one) were typically sold to schools, banks, and government offices to fill smaller individual desk inkwells.

Early advertising for The Commercial Paste Co. of Columbus, Ohio, appears frequently in trade journals from the early 20th century (c. 1910–1925), particularly in publications such as Office Appliances, The American Stationer, and Geyer’s Stationer.

Advertising Presence

While the company is most famous in historical records for its adhesives, they marketed a complete line of “stationary chemicals,” including the Gleich’s brand of inks and fluids.

• Trade Journal Ads: The company was a regular advertiser in Office Appliances throughout the 1910s and 1920s (specifically noted in issues from June 1917, July 1921, and October 1925).
• Marketing Copy: Their 1925 advertisements often featured the tagline “Makers of 65 Different Adhesives” and emphasized the high turnover for retailers with slogans like “You will find Gluey Paste sells and SELLS AND SELLS”.
• Publication Context: Beyond office supply journals, they advertised in Editor and Publisher (1925) and The American School Board Journal (1920), targeting schools and government offices that required bulk supplies for filling smaller desk inkwells.

Historical Details

• Company Headquarters: During the peak of its Gleich’s line production, the firm was located at 504–520 Buttles Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.
• The “Gleich’s” Name: Jacob Gleich was an Ohio-based chemist who formulated these products. The Commercial Paste Co. utilized his name across their premium lines, including “Gleich’s Velvet Paste” and “Gleich’s Gluey Paste,” as well as the black, blue-black, and carmine inks seen on this bottle’s label.
• Company Evolution: The Commercial Paste Co. was eventually succeeded by the Evans Adhesive Corporation, which continued to operate in the Columbus area for several decades.

Large “master” bottles of this type were typically not sold directly to the general public in stationery shops but were instead marketed to banks, bookkeeping offices, and schools. Advertisements directed at these institutions highlighted the ink’s durability, noting it “holds its own forever” and was “second to none for fountain pens”.