Traveling Desks and Inkwells

The inkwells featured in the post of November 16 were meant for use in a home or office.  In the past, letters were the primary means of communications over a distance. But how could one write with pen and ink while traveling?   Traveling desks and inkwells designed for travel were the answer.

Inkwell, closed

Inkwell, open

This small rounded object is a portable inkwell, or travel well. Most, like this one, were made of metal with a hinged lid that latched to provide additional protection against leaking.

Travel wells were often used in conjunction with a travel desk- a hinged rectangular box which opened to provided a surface for writing and a space to store ink, pens, and paper.

Travel desk exterior, 1881

Travel desk interior, 1881

This particular travel desk from the Benton County Historical Museum's collection was given to the donor's mother by her fellow teachers in 1881 when she left her school in Cambridge, Massachusetts to be married.  When opened, the box had a flat surface (the pinkish area) for writing and spaces for pens at the top.  The portable inkwell would be fitted into one of the two spaces at the top corners. The other might be used to hold paper clips or spare nibs for the pen.

Portable black leather lap desk, circa 1910

Another travel desk from the collection dates from circa 1910.  It opens like a notebook to a writing surface and slots to store paper and blotters.  It also has a built-in inkwell at the lower right.

By Martha Fraundorf, Volunteer for Benton County Historical Society, Philomath, Oregon