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Inkwell for an Investment Banker -- early advertising, promotional items


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#1 jbb

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Posted 06 June 2015 - 11:39 PM

I found this old inkwell that proudly states "Consult Us in Regard to Your Investments." I wonder if this sort of item was given away to customers as a promotion, or was it for the employees? Would it have been considered a cheap item back then? It seems to be brass so it's nice by today's inkwell standards.

 

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#2 Norm

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Posted 07 June 2015 - 09:12 AM

That sounds like a capital investment type bank.  My guess is that it was something for bank officers to have on their desks.   It might have been out where the public could use it though. It was at a later time, but I recall when banks had (Esterbrook dipless) pens on chains for customers to use. 



#3 wekiva98

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Posted 08 June 2015 - 03:48 AM

If your business is signing deals wth rich people or their companies, I can see the merit of having a fancy inkwell on your desk so you can sign the paperwork. We're talking dip pens here. It would be interesting to know what happened to the company -- whether it just went out of business or merged with someone who is still around today.

 

Looks as though they had a nice address. Did a quick Google search and found that 239 would have been across the street from City Hall and just up the street from St. Paul's Chapel, the church that fed and comforted first responders after 9/11. I don't see a building numbered 239 today, however -- there's a famous old highrise at 233 (the Woolworth Building) but the next building over is a 1960s-era building numbered 250. The former 239 may have been demolished. There's a 239 W. Broadway (a different street) but it's not in the financial district.


Edited by wekiva98, 08 June 2015 - 04:27 AM.


#4 Pensee

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Posted 08 June 2015 - 03:20 PM

Unless I'm mistaken, (with antique phones & electric fans from around the turn of century) brass was considered "tacky" and was painted/blackened in a process called "Japaned."  (Heavy enamel paint & coats of varnish to imitate Asian lacquerwork according to the wiki.)

 

So if it was from a very upscale place-- wonder if it was originally glossy black & someone "brassed it out" along the way.

 

Nice piece though.  And since it's brass-- very good to know it hasn't been soldered to someone's steam-punk crafts.  Nothing against them... Except when they start dismantling antiques just to make a fashion statement.  Ack!

 

Anyway, congrads on it!  Imagine you have quite a collection of penstaffs & ink wells.

 

--Bruce

 

 



#5 jbb

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Posted 08 June 2015 - 04:11 PM

Looks as though they had a nice address. Did a quick Google search and found that 239 would have been across the street from City Hall and just up the street from St. Paul's Chapel, the church that fed and comforted first responders after 9/11. I don't see a building numbered 239 today, however -- there's a famous old highrise at 233 (the Woolworth Building) but the next building over is a 1960s-era building numbered 250. The former 239 may have been demolished. There's a 239 W. Broadway (a different street) but it's not in the financial district.

The address is 299 Broadway, not 239.


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#6 jbb

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Posted 08 June 2015 - 04:12 PM

Unless I'm mistaken, (with antique phones & electric fans from around the turn of century) brass was considered "tacky" and was painted/blackened in a process called "Japaned."  (Heavy enamel paint & coats of varnish to imitate Asian lacquerwork according to the wiki.)

 

So if it was from a very upscale place-- wonder if it was originally glossy black & someone "brassed it out" along the way.

 

Nice piece though.  And since it's brass-- very good to know it hasn't been soldered to someone's steam-punk crafts.  Nothing against them... Except when they start dismantling antiques just to make a fashion statement.  Ack!

 

Anyway, congrads on it!  Imagine you have quite a collection of penstaffs & ink wells.

 

--Bruce

Based on what you have said I would think this was a cheap give-away at the time.


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