Thomas Forman (1819–1888), the enterprising founder of the Forman newspaper business, laid the foundations of his success in 1848 when he took over a small bookselling and printing shop on Long Row East. What began as a modest operation grew into one of Nottingham’s leading newspaper and printing firms, later known as Thomas Forman & Sons. By the 1870s, Forman was listed as a newspaper proprietor and general printer, employing more than 100 workers. The Forman business was more than a successful company, it was a multigenerational family enterprise closely connected to the life of the city.
One of his children, Arthur Forman (1848–1920), helped carry the business into its second generation along with his wife, Amy Lawson Forman (1874–1962). The present Cartier ring was a gift given from Arthur to Amy on the birth of their son, Thomas Vivian Forman. The ring was gifted by Thomas to the present owner upon his death.