Ink blotters were a common desktop tool, and candidate Abe Ribicoff gave voters reason to keep this one nearby. He printed a three-month calendar on one side of his 1948 campaign giveaway, along with his many slogans and tips on which lever to pull in the voting booth. On the other side was absorbent paper used to blot wet writing ink. After his first successful run for Congress, Ribicoff went on to serve in the House and Senate through 1980, long after fountain pens and blotters had faded from popularity.
