Hathaway Writing Kit – Civil War

A writing kit comprised of twelve wooden slats secured on a tarred canvas backing, surrounding a tin cylinder. When opened, the pivoting slats lock the remaining slats into place with brass brackets to create a flat writing surface. A piece of oil cloth wraps around a tin cylinder designed to hold writing implements including an inkwell and pens, making the tin tube waterproof. The inkwell was patented on 4 February 1861. The inkwell uses a glass body with a pewter screw top that has a rotating cover to open a small hole for dipping one’s pen and closes it to prevent leaks. The writing kit is impressed “Pat’d Dec. 24.1861”. Writing kits were popular gifts to soldiers, partly to supply the latest convenience to make soldier life easier, and no less to encourage them to write home.