The top photograph shows an advertising blotter  for the Tomkins Bros. Mason Supply Company.  A blotter, as discussed in a previous blog, was used to dab up excess ink from a fountain pen so it wouldn’t smear. This particular blotter was well used and I am surprised it survived.

As evidenced in the second photograph , by the 1920’s,  Tomkin Brothers had traded their horse teams for heavy duty trucks.  The expression that ” the only thing constant is change ” is in sharp focus here.

For those who might be curious the Tompkins’ business was located “foot of Third Ave. Newark N.J.”.