Harrison Columbian Cobalt Blue Ink Bottle

Cylindrical, medium cobalt blue ink bottle with an inward rolled mouth and tubular pontil scar. Bold embossing – “Harrison’s Columbian Ink”.

Harrison’s Columbian Ink is probably the most well-known 19th-century ink, not only by ink collectors but by bottle collectors in general. A December 9, 1845, newspaper advertisement in the Public Ledger said that A. W. Harrison was selling Harrison’s Columbian Ink at 8-½ South Seventh Street in Philadelphia. The advertisement went on to say, “The President’s Message was written with Harrison’s Columbian Ink that can never fade. Mr. Polk says, too, that it writes most beautifully. It is in use by all the Departments and both Houses of Congress.” The company at that time was known as Apollos W. Harrison, Books, Maps, and Ink. Later Harrison would expand and move his operation to No. 10 South 7th. Street, Philadelphia. By the late 1850s, Harrison employed over 80 employees, including 25 traveling agents.

For more information, visit the Museum of Historical Bottles:

Harrison’s Columbian Ink – FOHBC Virtual Museum of Historical Bottles and Glass