Stoneware ink bottle with a two tone light brown salt-glaze, pouring lip and cork. The bottle previously held Stephens' blue black writing ink manufactured by Henry C Stephens Limited at their factory in Finchley. A printed label attached to the bottle bears the manufacturer's details and a description of the contents.
Blue black writing ink was invented by Henry Charles's father in 1832. As the first indelible ready mixed ink to be manufactured it transformed office work and quickly adopted by the British government for all legal documents and ships' log books.
