Sengbusch bakelite double inkwell

This is an absolutely amazing Sengbusch double inkwell desk set made entirely of bakelite except for the glass ink bottles. The bakelite colors are black and deep maroon, both flecked with green. Unit measures 12" long x 5-3/4" deep x 3-3/4" high, and is composed of a black base with center grooved maroon insert and two black domed caps with coordinating front grooves that fit atop two 2-1/8" diameter glass ink bottles with black screw-on lids. The lids are marked “Sengbusch, U.S. Pat. 2,390,667, Made in U.S.A.” and are quite ingenious. Each has a spout. After filling a bottle with ink, you screw on its lid and quickly (and carefully) turn the whole thing over, fitting the spout into an actual little “well” located in the interior bottom front of the bottle holder that’s right below where the pen would rest in the bottle holder’s exterior. Voila! Your pen nib is always resting in a small reservoir of ink! No wonder this mechanism was patented! And by the way, that patent was issued on December 11, 1945. The back of each bottle holder has the remnants of its original black sticker with “Sengbush” in gold script. Gustav J. Sengbusch founded the Sengbusch Self-Closing Inkstand Company in Milwaukee, WI in 1903. The story goes that he had been a bookkeeper in a Milwaukee wholesale house where one day he upset an inkstand on his ledger sheet, ruining hours of work. Yikes! Something had to be done to improve inkwells, and Mr. Sengbusch set about doing exactly that, changing careers in the process. He obviously loved the Art Deco style, and this gorgeous double inkwell desk set is an outstanding example of his work, both as a designer and an inventor. All pieces are in excellent vintage condition with no dings to the bakelite and no nicks, chips, or cracks to the glass ink bottles. There are a few scratches so common to these vintage bakelite pieces, but nothing that detracts from the overall beauty of this unique and substantial desk set that would be equally at home in either a man’s or woman’s executive office. (Click on picture for more images.) Tell a friend.

Price: $450.00 + s/h and insurance

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Glo-Hill chrome tray with golden browm bakelite handles

Here is a truly lovely Art Deco chrome tray with two-tone brown bakelite feet and handles. The shiny mirror-finish tray measures 10-1/4" x 5-5/8" and features a large shallow center well, but it’s the gorgeous bakelite end pieces that make this tray a work of art. No way can photos do justice to the deep golden brown color. Two joined geometric carvings on each handle reveal the lighter mottled golden hue of the bakelite’s interior. Original paper sticker on the tray’s bottom says this beauty is one of the Gourmates line styled by Glo-Hill of Canada. In 1946, Sol, Paul, and Leo Globus, together with their brother in-law Harry Hill, created the Glo-Hill Corporation in Montreal. The business originally manufactured beautiful carving sets and cutlery, but as it grew, Glo-Hill began diversifying their product line and offering chrome hollowware pieces used in home entertaining. They imported materials from factories located along the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S., such as bakelite and many glass components that were being manufactured by expert glass manufactures like McKee, Glasbake and Jeannette Glass. Paul Globus was considered the stylist for Glo-Hill and it was his ideas that became the exquisite designs and Art Deco styling for which Glo-Hill became famous. Their products were sold throughout Canada in high-end department stores. The company ceased doing business in the 1970s, and their pieces are eagerly sought after by collectors today. Our tray stands 1-3/4" tall with an overall length of 11". Original sticker on the underside that says “Gourmates styled by Glo-Hill Canada.” Excellent vintage condition, with no dings or dents to the chrome and only very light usage scratching. The bakelite is pristine. Be sure to see our other Glo-Hill trays listed on the Chrome page. (Click on picture for more images.) Tell a friend.

Price: $65.00 + s/h

Cambridge amber glass perfume bottle

This 5" tall Art Deco perfume bottle is made of clear deep amber depression glass. It was produced by the Cambridge Glass Co. during the 1930's and was known as #198. Looking very much like a Greek urn, the bottle features a 1-3/8" diameter wide-lipped mouth, four incised bands around its 1-1/2" diameter shoulder, and seven incised bands around its bottom where it attaches to the 1-3/4" diameter fully banded pedestal base. The faceted stopper is 1-1/2" in diameter at its top and features a ground bottom where it fits into the bottle. We have two of these lovely old perfume bottles and price is for each. Both are in great condition with no nicks, chips, or cracks, although the dauber has broken off of both stoppers. (Click on picture for more images.) Tell a friend.

Price: $100.00 each + s/h and insurance

Farberware electric coffee pot

Is this a gorgeous coffee pot or what? Produced by Farberware in the mid to late 1930s, this Art Deco electric coffee pot has a shiny chromium finish decorated with an elaborate but tasteful lacy laurel garland etched around the top of its midsection. Double bands encircle the mouth and both the top and bottom of the pedestal base. When lidded, the pot stands 11-1/4" tall from its 3 button feet to the top of its removable rounded octagonal glass knob. It measures 10" across from its gracefully curved spout to its equally graceful black plastic handle. The bottom carries an enormous amount of information, including  “Farberware, S.W. Farber, Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y.,” “Percolator No. 206," “120-volts,” “550 watts,” “”U.S. Pat. 1839329,” “Can. Pat. 325985,” “To avoid damage to heat unit do not set this article in water,” plus instructions on how to renew the fuse. Includes the original stem, coffee basket with lid, and cloth cord. Outstanding exterior condition. No dings or dents on either the pot or the lid, and only very slight surface scratching. The lid fits securely into the pot and the glass knob fits securely into the lid. The interior top of the knob has slight cloudiness, the interior surface of the pot shows coffee staining, and the basket has several small dimples at its bottom perimeter, none of which affects usage or display. No interior markings on either the pot or the basket to show how many cups of coffee this percolator makes, but I’d assume 8-10 based on its size. Whether you actually use this beautiful coffee pot or simply display it with pride, it adds more than merely a “touch” of class to any kitchen or dining room! (Click on picture for more images.) Tell a friend.

Price: $65.00 + s/h and insurance