RICHARD A. FORD: FORD PAINT AND VARNISH COMPANY SCRAPBOOK, 1929-1962 (1970)

From 1929 to 1962, Gerald Ford, Sr., and his sons, Thomas G. Ford and Richard A. Ford compiled a scrapbook documenting the operation of their business firm, the Ford Paint and Varnish Company. Ford Sr. opened the factory in October 1929, three weeks prior to the stock market crash and the beginning of the Great Depression. The enterprise struggled, survived, and flourished until it was sold in 1970. The scrapbook primarily includes newspaper clippings, advertisements, and memoranda from the company to its customers, but also contains product brochures, correspondence, photos, and customer testimonials. The newspaper clippings especially provide much information about the development and scope of the company and its products.