Stoneware Ink Bottle with Label

Description of the Ink Bottle:

• Material: The bottle is made of stoneware, a type of ceramic fired at high temperatures, making it non-porous and very durable. It has a distinctive, rustic appearance, in a brown shade with a slightly speckled or textured finish.
• Shape: It has a classic ink bottle shape, cylindrical or slightly tapered, with a relatively narrow neck.
• Label: A significant feature is the presence of its original paper label, which is still largely intact. The label clearly states: “Cox & Brandt’s American Writing Fluid, Chicago”. The label has stylized lettering and decorative borders, typical of late 19th or early 20th-century commercial packaging.

Manufacturer, History, and Age:

The label “Cox & Brandt’s American Writing Fluid, Chicago” is the key to understanding this bottle’s history.

• Manufacturer: Cox & Brandt was a company based in Chicago that produced writing fluids (inks).
• Historical Context: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, before the widespread adoption of fountain pens and other modern writing instruments, ink was a staple item for homes, businesses, and schools. Many local and regional companies produced their own formulations of “writing fluid,” often advertising special qualities like quick-drying, non-fading, or specific colors.
• Stoneware vs. Glass: While most ink bottles from the later 19th century onward were made of glass (which allowed for visibility of the ink color and could be mass-produced cheaply), stoneware ink bottles were more common in earlier periods, particularly mid-19th century and before, as glass manufacturing was less advanced or more costly for certain applications. Stoneware also provided good insulation against temperature changes and light, which could affect ink quality. However, some companies continued to use stoneware for certain products or sizes even later.
• Specifics of Cox & Brandt: Companies like Cox & Brandt were smaller, regional producers that have not left extensive national records compared to larger, more enduring brands. However, the use of “American Writing Fluid” suggests a marketing strategy emphasizing domestic production.

How old is this ink bottle?

Based on the use of stoneware for an ink bottle and the likely period for such regional “writing fluid” manufacturers in the U.S.:

• The style of the stoneware bottle and the nature of the label (a proprietary “writing fluid”) strongly suggest a date range. While some stoneware continued later, the peak for common stoneware ink bottles was generally mid to late 19th century.
• Companies like Cox & Brandt would have been most active in the era when ink was universally used for all writing, leading up to the typewriter’s dominance and then ballpoint pens.

Therefore, this ink bottle most likely dates to the late 19th century, roughly 1870s to 1890s.