Umbrella Ink Bottle – Providence, RI

This is a classic 8-sided “Umbrella” or “Pyramid” style ink bottle, a very popular form for writing inks during the mid-19th century.

The Label Identification

Based on the visible fragments and historical records of Providence manufacturers, the full text on the label would read:

A NEW

INDELIBLE ANTI-CORROSIVE

BLACK INK

MANUFACTURED BY

1. ADDEMAN,

PROVIDENCE, R. I.

Who Made This Bottle?

The “T. Addeman” on the label refers to Thomas Addeman, a merchant and manufacturer based in Providence, Rhode Island.

• Thomas Addeman (born 1803 in England) was an immigrant who eventually settled in Providence. While he is sometimes associated with “shoe blacking” (used to polish leather), this specific label confirms he also marketed a high-quality “indelible” writing ink.
• The Era: The presence of an open pontil (the scarred ring on the base) indicates that the bottle was hand-blown in a mold and dates to roughly 1845–1855. By the late 1850s, many bottle makers transitioned to using a “smooth base” (held by a snap-case tool), which eliminated the sharp pontil scar.
• The Design: The 8-sided, conical “umbrella” shape was designed specifically for stability; the wide base made it much harder to tip over while a quill or steel pen was being dipped, protecting the user’s desk and documents from spills.

Summary of Details