Sterling Silver Commemorative Inkwell

This is a wonderful piece of jewelry industry history. This inkwell is a commemorative souvenir from one of the most exclusive social organizations in the American jewelry trade.

The Organization: The Jewelers 24-Karat Club of NYC

The Jewelers 24-Karat Club of New York City (founded in 1902) is a prestigious social club for the “movers and shakers” of the jewelry industry. Their annual banquet, typically held at the Waldorf Astoria, has been the premier event for the trade for over a century.

• The “Carrot” Pun: The logo on the lid—a literal carrot flanked by the numbers 2 and 4—is a playful visual pun on “24 Karat” gold.
• The Gift Tradition: It was a long-standing tradition for the club to give elaborate, high-quality “souvenirs” to the attendees of their annual banquets. These weren’t cheap trinkets; they were often commissioned from top-tier silversmiths like Redlich & Co. or Gorham. This inkwell was likely a gift from one of these dinners, likely dating between 1910 and 1930.

Decoding the Hallmarks

Construction & The “Uncle Johnny” Annotation

• Weighted Base: The base is “weighted.” In silver manufacturing, this is known as weighted sterling. To give a light, thin silver shell stability (so it doesn’t tip over when you dip a pen), the hollow base was filled with a “cement” or “pitch” mixture. This was usually a combination of plaster of Paris, resin, or lead.
• “Uncle Johnny”: The handwriting on the cement base is a personal touch from a previous owner. Since these inkwells were prestigious gifts, this inkwell was likely kept on a desk for decades. “Uncle Johnny” was probably the family member who originally attended the banquet or was gifted the piece later.

Antique Sterling Silver Commemorative Inkwell

• Maker: Redlich & Co., New York (marked with crown, shield ‘R’, and lion).
• Design: Octagonal pyramidal form with a hinged lid. The lid is engraved with the official emblem of The Jewelers 24-Karat Club of New York City, featuring the iconic “carrot” pun logo.
• Condition: Features a weighted base (cement/plaster filled) for stability. Pattern number 462.
• Historical Context: A souvenir gift from the prestigious annual banquet of the NYC Jewelers 24-Karat Club, dating to the early 20th century.