In 1810 Waterlow and Sons was started by James Waterlow. The company sold copies of legal documents produced by lithography and printed stamps. James Waterlow's sons, Alfred, Walter, Sydney and Albert, joined the partnership; branches were opened at Westminster and London Wall. In 1876 the firm became a limited liability company. In 1877 a family dispute erupted and Aflred Waterlow and his sons formed Waterlow Bros. & Layton retaining the Birchin Lane premises. The other brothers, under the Managing Directorship of Sir Sydney, Lord Mayor of London continued Waterlow & Sons Limited operating from London Wall, Finsbury Market and other factories. In 1887, on the death of Alfred, Waterlow Bros & Layton became a company. In 1920 the two companies amalgamated. In 1961 assets of Waterlow & Sons Limited acquired by De La Rue & Co. Ltd.