Back in the day when fountain pens were the dominant writing instrument, ink was commonly referred to as "writing fluid", rather than ink.
'Stephens' Ink' was invented by the British physician, Dr Henry Stephens (1796-1864), who in 1832 first developed his indelible "blue-black writing fluid" that became the basis of a successful manufacturing enterprise lasting over 130 years. Stephens' ink revolutionised office life in the latter half of the 19th century saving clerical workers much time previously spent mixing powdered inks and cleaning nibs. Being indelible and non-fading, Stephens' ink was made mandatory by the British government for all for legal documents and ships' log books.
Between the 1900s and the 1960s, school-aged children would learn to write with pencil before being allowed to graduate to using pen and ink to complete their school and homework. Each child's desk would have an inkpot set into a special carved hole, and would be filled up by an ink monitor. Children would use dipping pens to write, and the standard issue colour of school ink was the shade 'blue black’ such was the influence of Stephens.
We offer for sale an ‘as found’ antique stoneware bottle incorporating pourer with cork bung and untested contents. The bottle has its original label (including age related loses to the label).
15cm tall, 6cm diameter 
At the time of listing we have two 15cm examples being sold separately and a smaller 11cm bottle also being sold separately.
£20.00 each plus £7.00 postage = £27.00 including postage to mainland UK zone 1 addresses.
For overseas postage and postage costs to UK addresses outside UK zone 1 please enquire.