ANTIQUE SILVER BLOTTERS
Antique Silver blotters Description:
A desk accessory designed to blot/remove excess ink from a page of hand-writing.
Antique Silver blotters History:
The earliest desk blotters were made in the latter part of the Victorian period. They are very rare before 1880, but the vast majority were made in the early part of the 20th century, and they are still being made today.
Antique Silver blotters Design:
Most desk blotters were designed very similarly, based on a block of wood having a convex lower surface that holds a piece of blotting paper, which is in turn clamped down by a silver top and handle. This is called a traditional rocker blotter.
Antique Silver blotters Collectors Note:
The mechanism that holds the blotting paper in place must still be in good working order. There should be a full hallmark on the silver top, and a part mark on the handle. The wooden block, normally oak, should be in good condition. Many 20th century rocker blotters were engine-turned and if there is a dent in the surface it is very difficult to remove.