Diamine Inks Limited have been producing inks since 1864.^[1] They are one of the last surviving writing ink producers in Britain.

The company was founded in London in 1864 as T. Webster and Co. in London, and in Liverpool from 1868. Thomas Webster based production in Liverpool and initially was in partnership with John Dyas. By 1871 they were at 11a South Castle West and Vauxhall Works but the partnership was dissolved in 1874.^[2] Thomas Webster continued as T. Webster & Co. In 1880 the business launched its new ink, Diamine.^[3] By 1881 the business was based at 11 & 13 Henry Street, Liverpool.

Between 1901 and 1911 production moved to new premises in Tariff Street, Liverpool, and the ‘Diamine Works’ here were extended in 1925.^[4]

In 1924 the business acquired the assets of the Polygon Manufacturing Company Limited of Bonner Street, London.^[5] Production of Polygon products was continued and the business maintained an office in London at Diamine House, Middle Lane, Hornsey.

The company later became part of the M.B.F. Group. In 2005 the company changed its name from Diamine Inks Limited to Diamine-Speciality Inks Limited.

The founder of the company was born in 1839 in Bootle, Lancashire. Educated at Bruch Hall School, Warrington. He married Mary Alice Grace, daughter of John Grace of Liverpool, on 12 August 1875 at Christ Church, Bootle.^[6] They had the following children

• Hedley Webster (b. 1877)
• Reginald Webster (5 Jan 1878 - 25 Oct 1953)
• Grace Elizabeth Webster (1880–1886)
• Hannah Webster (b. 1885)

When his father stepped down from the business, his son Reginald Webster took control. Reginald was born on 5 Jan 1878 and married Salome Marsh (1884–1975) on 15 March 1915 in St John's Church, Waterloo, Lancashire.