Nock’s Patented Inkwell

This is a well preserved, mid-19th-century American inkwell, featuring the patented “curvilinear hinge” design by Joseph Nock of Philadelphia. What distinguishes this specimen is the nearly 100% complete original paper label affixed to the underside, a rarity for utilitarian objects of this era that were frequently exposed to water and ink.

Description

The Body

The inkwell features a heavy, pressed glass body with a paneled (faceted) design. The glass has a slight amethyst tint, a common characteristic of mid-19th-century glass containing manganese that has “solarized” or aged over time. The base is broad and circular to provide stability on a desk.

The Lid and Rim

The top is fitted with a brass rim and a domed, hinged lid. The lid is topped with a small, rounded brass finial for easy lifting. Stamped clearly into the metal of the lid is the maker’s mark:

1. NOCK PHILADA

Label Transcription

The underside of the inkwell retains its original circular paper label, featuring an intricate decorative border. Despite some minor damp staining, the text remains perfectly legible. Notably, a handwritten price of “$1.50” is visible on the left side of the label.

The label reads as follows:

JOSEPH NOCK’S NEW INK STAND AND INK WELL COVER, With a round Hinge of Brass. (Patent Right secured.) For use in Public Schools, Counting Houses &c. Also, Patent Locks & Bolts for Banks, Stores Dwellings, &c. Manufactured & Sold by J. NOCK, Agt 34 Walnut St 25 Granite St., Phila.

Patent Summary: No. 10,310 (Dec. 13, 1853)

The primary innovation of this inkwell lies in its hardware. Joseph Nock’s patent, titled “Hinge for Inkstand-Covers,” focused on improving the durability and cleanliness of the hinge mechanism.

Key Innovations:

• The Curvilinear Hinge: Nock’s design moved away from traditional, bulky box hinges. By creating a hinge that follows the curve of the lid, the inkwell presents a “round or smooth turned face” when closed.
• Ease of Cleaning: Because the hinge is flush with the surface, it prevents the accumulation of dried ink and dust in crevices. Nock specifically notes that this design gives an “opportunity of cleaning when soiled, inside as well as outside.”
• Durability for Public Use: The patent specifically mentions its utility for “public schools,” where equipment faced heavy, often careless use by students. The hinge was designed to be “most convenient in opening and shutting” while keeping the ink clean and preventing evaporation.
• Construction: The hinge is composed of two primary parts: a solid moving lid (marked “a” in the patent drawing) and a hollow part (marked “b”) cast from brass or sheet metal. These parts are joined by a pin that is soldered fast, creating a seamless, rounded joint.

Condition and Rarity

This example is a “time capsule” piece. While the glass exhibits the expected structural integrity of pressed glass from the 1850s, the original label is the standout feature. Most labels of this type were destroyed by “shelf wear” or moisture from cleaning the inkwell. The presence of the original $1.50 price – a significant sum in 1853 – provides a rare glimpse into the mid-19th-century stationery market. While $1.50 might seem like a small amount today, in 1853, it represented a significant expenditure. For comparison, a common laborer at that time might have earned between $0.75 and $1.25 per day, meaning this inkwell cost more than a full day’s wages for many workers.

Based on the label and historical records from 1853, the primary “manufacturer” of the finished product was Joseph Nock himself, though his role was that of a machinist and patentee rather than a glassblower.

Here is the breakdown of who actually made the different parts of this inkwell:

The Metalwork and Assembly: Joseph Nock

Joseph Nock was a well-known Philadelphia machinist and inventor located at 34 Walnut Street and 25 Granite Street. In the 1850s, he was highly regarded for his mechanical innovations. Historical records, including the Official Catalogue of the New York Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations (1853), list him as a manufacturer of:

• Patent Mail-Bag Padlocks: He held the contract for the U.S. Post Office.
• Fireproof Safes and “Improved Refrigerators”: He was a specialist in secure metal enclosures.
• Inkstands: His patented “curvilinear hinge” (Patent No. 10,310) was the mechanical heart of this item.

Nock would have manufactured the brass rim, the lid, and the hinge mechanism in his own shop, then assembled them onto the glass bodies.

The Glass Body: Regional Glassworks

While Nock’s name is on the label, he did not own a glasshouse. In the mid-19th century, Philadelphia was the epicenter of American glass production. It was standard practice for metal manufacturers to purchase glass vessels from regional factories. Given the location and the time period, the paneled glass body was almost certainly produced by one of the major Philadelphia-area glassworks:

1. Dyottville Glass Works (Kensington, PA): This is the most likely candidate. Dyottville was the most prolific manufacturer of ink bottles and utilitarian pressed glass in Philadelphia during the 1850s.
2. Union Glass Works: Another major Philadelphia firm that specialized in heavy, pressed glass for domestic and commercial use.
3. Whitall, Brother & Co. (later Whitall Tatum): Located just across the river in Millville, NJ, they were the primary suppliers of glassware to Philadelphia merchants and stationers.

Why the Label Says “Manufactured & Sold by J. Nock”

In 19th-century trade, the person who held the patent and performed the final assembly (attaching the metal to the glass) was considered the manufacturer of the “Ink Stand.” The glass was treated as raw material, much like the brass. The “Agt” on the label likely stands for Agent, indicating that Nock acted as the sole distributor for his patented inventions.