Wednesday 18 April 2012

Pen and Ink




Peeling, battered and faded labels are beautiful to me; they whisper use and the passage of time in a way that newly-made-to-look-old bits and pieces never could. Scribbling is a part of my daily life - in letters, in countless notebooks, on lists, in birthday cards and as you'd guess I have my favourite pens - usually the sort that glide across a page and feel partially weighted in my hand but I'm still on the hunt for a keeper. I have quite a few very old ink bottles with uneven bottoms and green hued glass, they sit perfectly on a windowsill casting a gentle sea foam glow, but my newest addition is much younger and still has a little ink in the bottom. The shape of the jar was what bewitched me most of all but the label and lid also cast a spell. I'd like to imagine the rest of the ink was used by someone who loved to write.

15 comments :

  1. What an unusual shape! I can really relate to what you say about pens. It's nib thickness too, for me, not too scratchy but not so thick it conceals my flourishes!
    I can see you with a quill, wax seal and brass stamp!
    Lovely find.

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  2. Gosh Jem you really have stolen my heart with this. I’ve always had this wild fascination with paper and ink, nothing beats the art of a handwritten letter (as you know). This humle old jar could tell a thousand stories xxx

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  3. So loving the fact that there is ink left in the pretty bottle! lovely images! x

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  4. What a stunning shape that bottle has, that along is lovely. Yet all the torn labels, the markings and the dribbles of ink make it one gorgeous little piece. I prefer my vintage items a little worn and marked, shows they had a life [which I hope was loved] before they arrived in my hands.

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  5. I saw a bull in the tear in the label, not sure what that says about me, but I don't mind things a bit crumpled either. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for a quill, but I do like a 'wet ink' pen over a biro any day.

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  6. Wow. Seriously wow. I am obsessed too with all things pen, paper or ink also, as you know! The idea of having a quill and ink, scratching away on parchment or old paper on top of those Jane Austen style writing slopes - heaven! I definitely prefer anything un-biro-y myself, and something weighty in the hand is always nicer than anything else; I long for the days when I can write with my weighty fountain pen (yes, I still love them) in my Smythson diary whilst I leisurely lunch with my agent (in this particular stationery related fantasy, like all other, am best selling author hence the lunches, and hence the agent!)

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  7. Hi Jem....as you know, I love anything old, so really appreciate your blog post on this lovely old bottle. How is your Etsy coming along? It's a lot of work, heh? Mine is keeping me very busy and out of trouble! Ha
    Linda

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  8. This little bottle is so lovely, i love your description :o) Scarlett x

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  9. Lovely! Currently having a iphone case giveaway! There is case like fifi lapin and others :)

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  10. Wow, what a beautiful bottle. Imagine all the stories it could tell!
    Sophie x

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  11. Lovely post, I bet that bottle can tell a tale or two.

    Thank you for sharing.

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  12. beautiful photos and it reminds me of those historical drama of a victorian lady sat writing her letters, i just love this post!

    xx susan

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