Traveler with Roller Blotter

This round traveling inkwell was designed for travelers who needed portable, leak-proof inkwell in a compact form.

Description

• Materials & Form: The exterior is clad in fine-grained leather (likely morocco or pigskin) over a solid brass chassis. The round, cylindrical shape was favored because it fits easily into a coat pocket or a traveling bag without snagging. On the leather exterior, the word “Ink“ is rendered in gold-leaf stamping (also known as gold tooling).
• The Interior Components – Miniature Roller Blotter: This is a rare and highly sought-after feature. This inkwell contains a tiny brass cylinder wrapped in blotting paper. It was used to quickly “roll” over wet ink to dry it on a train or in a carriage.
  • Ink Reservoir: A small circular glass bottle (ink pot) is nested inside, protected by the brass casing and a spring-loaded lid.
• Mechanism of Operation:
  • Outer Lid (Push Button): To access the set, you press a small brass push-button on the side of the leather casing. This releases a spring latch, allowing the main leather-covered lid to flip open.
  • Inner Lids (Thumb Release): Once open, the glass inkwell is protected by its own secondary brass lid. You will see a small thumb-lever or sliding catch near the hinge. Pressing this releases the spring-loaded inner cap, which has a padded rubber or cork “bung” on the underside to create an airtight, leak-proof seal during transit.

Origin and Manufacturer

This specific design, particularly those containing the rare roller blotter, is almost exclusively associated with high-end British stationery makers.

Estimated Age

• Circa 1885–1910.
• The peak of this “all-in-one” traveling design occurred in the late Victorian and Edwardian periods. By the 1920s, the widespread adoption of the self-filling fountain pen made these portable inkwells less necessary.