Thomas Burch Ford (1818-1892) began producing blotting paper and filter papers for personal and industrial use, after taking over Slade's Original Handmade Blotting Company in 1881. John Letts produced the first commercially available diary in 1812. In 1835 the business was taken over by his son Thomas and grandson Charles John joined the company in 1870. In 1881, after a brief hiatus, Charles restarted the business as Charles Letts and Company, the name it retains today. The blotters were included in the diaries as a form of advertising both for Letts and for TB Ford.A Collection of Ford's Blotting Paper: Orange(1), blue(1), green(2), light green(1) yellow(1), light pink(1) and pink(1) coloured blotting paper with blue print. Advertising * Charles Letts's Diary Blotter. An Alliance of Quality Comfort and Economy. Fords Gold medal absorbent Blotting. Ford 428 Mill Made in 22 Colours and white. The very best obtainable Ford's Gold Medal Absorbent Blotting. Box 625T.B. Ford, Ltd. Snakeley Mill, Loudwater, High Wycombe, London Showroom 72 Piccadilly, W.1. Ch.L. - 2- F8064ephemera, mementoes, blotting paper