Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
After 42 years in the rubber stamp business, 81-year-old Martha Osborne was ready to take a rest and sell Thomas Rubber Stamp in Warsaw.
She considered several offers over the years, but Osborne said she wouldn't sell to just anyone.
Not even the guy a few years back who offered the right price, but lacked the know-how to run the business.
The right buyer had to be somebody who could continue the tradition and provide the same kind of service the business has extended over five decades.
"He decided to take it and about got his money out, and I said, 'I can't do it. I can't sell it to you.'"
After careful consideration, Osborne put her stamp of approval on a close associate, Indiana Stamp, of Fort Wayne.
"A lot of them know about Indiana Stamp so I think they'll be well taken care of," she said.
Local customers can still dial the Thomas Rubber Stamp Company's phone number or fax number to order stamps or signs and will be connected to Indiana Stamp Customer Service in Fort Wayne.
Despite the home office being about 40 miles away, Indiana Stamp says they'll provide next day service.
"Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for Warsaw area customers to buy their stamps and signs," said John Peirce, vice president of sales for Indiana Stamp.
"They don't have to leave their office or make an out-of-town call," he said.
Indiana Stamp serves parts of Indiana, Michigan and Ohio and exports products to 30 countries.
Peirce said they picked up many of the Thomas customers because the businesses were already familiar with Indiana Stamp.
Thomas Rubber Stamp began quietly in 1956 in the basement of Lud and Martha Thomas' home near the post office after Lud read about the possibilities in a magazine called "Changing Times."
At the time, Lud was the purchasing agent for Dalton Foundries, but felt a desire to respond to the magazine advertisement.
"He got the whole thing, a book for $5, and I said, 'That's the craziest thing you've ever spent money on.' But it's paid off," she said.
Lud ran the business until he died in 1969 of a brain tumor, but was able to train Martha about the operation before he died.
After that, it was her business. When she remarried in 1977 her husband, Jim Osborne, became involved.
She decided to sell the business after Osborne, a former city councilman, died April 30.
The store transformed over the years, moving away from hand press using set type to a computerized process.
But the one thing that didn't change was the customer base.
The company enjoyed walk-in customers, but built a strong following of local corporate users, including banks and the orthopedic industry.
"Warsaw Coil is a huge, huge customer, because of the specialty stamps," said Candi Wiley, Martha's daughter.
Martha kept the books and oversaw most other responsibilities of the business. Jim ordered pre-ink stamps through Indiana Stamp, made signs and badges for some companies and made some deliveries.
Martha said she enjoyed the business, but at her age, there are other things she'd rather be doing.
"After so long of a time, it wasn't that difficult. I'm glad it's over."
