Master ink bottles were the “refill” size of the day manufactured to hold bulk writing fluid that would subsequently be poured into smaller bottles more appropriate for a desk. The J. Bourne & Son Master Ink is an exceptional example made from a course, heat resistant clay that was discovered by William Bourne during some road construction in Derbyshire, England.
 
After confirming the special properties of the clay William Bourne acquired a bit of land in the area and launched production in 1809 with his son Joseph at the helm. They fired the stoneware bottles at high temperatures making them very dense and non-absorbent- the perfect vessel to hold ink. While in the hot kiln the clay was finished by “salt glazing”, a process wherein common salt is added and the vapor produces a non-absorbent shiny brown coating.
 
The embossing features the “J. Bourne & Son” company name as well as the mark of the London ink company P & J Arnold of London whose product once filled the handsome bottles.
 
Whereas every effort has been made to choose the best examples of shipwreck artifacts for our collectors, some blemishes and imperfections will be evident due to the harsh conditions the pieces have been subjected to during their years in the deep ocean.