Curtis B. Patterson (1908-2001) worked as an engineer at the DuPont Company in the Survey and Engineering Sections of the Safety and Fire Protection Division and later as a consultant for the Engineering Section. He was an avid collector of various materials and a supporter of archival institutions. An advertising blotter is a small sheet of absorbent paper, printed with advertisement and created as a giveaway for promoting the business. The collection consists of advertising blotters from a variety of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware businesses including a tailor, insurance companies, the Chicago and Northwestern Railway Company, stationery stores, and food suppliers.