Watermans ink with top

[Mailman1960]

Not listed in Covill but few 1900’s inks are. It is unusual and definitely a keeper. Never seen one like it.

Thanks for checking on it. I was going to leave it, but didn't find much else that day and thought it was to new.

 

[Bohdan]

Are you sure it was an ink?
Not a mucilage or something else?
What is attached to the top - inside the bottle?

 

[Mailman1960]

Are you sure it was an ink?
Not a mucilage or something else?
What is attached to the top - inside the bottle?

I'll look again but I'm pretty sure it says Waterman ink on bottom, it looks like an eye dropper on the top.

 

[Bohdan]

An "outer metal cap" to cover/protect an inner 'eye dropper' with presumably a rubber squeeze bulb.
Makes sense - but why an eye dropper for ink?
Very interesting. There may be an answer in an old trade catalogue somewhere.

 

[Mailman1960]

An "outer metal cap" to cover/protect an inner 'eye dropper' with presumably a rubber squeeze bulb.
Makes sense - but why an eye dropper for ink?
Very interesting. There may be an answer in an old trade catalogue somewhere.

Not sure about the liquid it doesn't leak now, but has the consistency of water. What ever that means.

 

[Bohdan]

Not sure about the liquid it doesn't leak now, but has the consistency of water. What ever that means.
[/QUO

It's got me wondering now.
I'll try to find an period trade catalogue for office supplies.

 

[Mailman1960]

Much appreciated, someday I might be able help someone. Only been at this 1 year.

 

[Bohdan]

Much appreciated, someday I might be able help someone. Only been at this 1 year.

EUREKA! I found it.
It's called a "Desk Filler". I found it in a 1914-1918 catalogue. ( the bottle may be older than that.)
Probably fairly rare and definitely a nice find. The only thing nicer would be the "Travelers' Filler" described in the same article.
Welcome to our hobby Mailman.

 

[Mailman1960]

Mystery solved by another one of the best B.I's (bottle instigators) my hats off to you. If you're ever in Chicago there's a cocktail with your name on it.

 

[Dogo]

The Automatic bottle machine was invented about 1905, give or take a few years and that ring on the base says it was one of the early ones. Later versions don't have the ring. My guess would be between about 1906 to 1920