These are the original early bottles that display the Patent date (January 6, 1914) stamped on bottom and with glazed colors with paint details not typical in latter production. Latter versions don’t have this Patent stamp and typically the colors appear to be applied paints and less precise and vibrant. Fun little display group; Pa sits with crossed legs with hands on knees, while Ma has arms folded with rolling pin in hand. Pa has a thin old crack evident along right check otherwise both appear in very good condition and present well. Both have what appear to be original corks (Pa’s cork has shrunk with age and is fits loosely in head hole). Measure 3 ¾ in. in height. These inkpots were used as part of an advertising campaign for Ma & Pa Carter Inx, and were originally advertised in the Saturday Evening Post of September 12, 1914. The ad read; “Mr. and Mrs. Carter Inx – the little porcelain inkstands that made such a hit last fall lead the Carter line and bring to your desk a personality that will be an inspiration”. There is some indication that these were only made for a period of two years when production in Germany was interrupted by World War I.