Quentin Gregory Papers, 1905-1913

(Manuscript Collection #200)

Title:	Quentin Gregory Papers
Creator:	Gregory, Quentin
Repository:	ECU Manuscript Collection
Languages:	English
Abstract:	Papers (1905-1913, undated) consisting of correspondence, a letter copy book, photographs, picture post cards, brands of tobacco, etc.
Extent:	0.43 Cubic feet, 257 items , consisting of correspondence, a letter copy book, photographs, and picture post cards.

Accessions Information

March 23, 1972, ca. 300 items; papers (1905-1913, undated) consisting of correspondence, a letter copy book, photographs, and picture post cards. Deposited by Mr. Quentin Gregory, Halifax, N. C.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions

Copyright Notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Preferred Citation

Quentin Gregory Papers (#200), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.

Acquisition Information

• Gift of Mr. Quentin Gregory

Processing Information

• Processed by J. Bouldin, June 1975

• Encoded by Apex Data Services

Quentin Gregory, a native of Halifax County, was born February 4, 1880. He attended Horner Military School in Oxford, N. C., and graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1902. Mr. Gregory was employed in China by the British-American Tobacco Company from 1905 to 1920. He was president of the Bank of Halifax from 1921 to about 1956 when he was made chairman of the board. In 1968, Mr. Gregory retired from active business.

Correspondence in the collection deals primarily with business of the British-American Tobacco Company. These letters are written by Quentin Gregory in Tientsin to the company office in Shanghai. The Tientsin Association of the British-American Tobacco Company held a monopoly in the tobacco trade for that area. The primary concern in most of these letters is the fierce competition between the Tientsin Association and the Dragon (assumed to be a Japanese brand of tobacco). Numerous letters in 1906 describe the efforts of the Association to eliminate Dragon from the market. The use of contracts with subdealers to reduce Dragon sales is discussed. The contract forbid subdealers to sell Dragon in their shops. The reluctance of subdealers to sign is attributed to the $10 to $100 fine for violators. The company dealt with those who would not stop selling Dragon by refusing to allow them any of the profits from shares if they continued to sell opposition goods. Some of the problems of the company such as difficulty with the custom houses and railroads, and the need of a man at customs to report on incoming cigarettes are discussed. Other problems include the misconduct of a night watchman (1908), classification of first and second class shops as to allotments (1908), and the scarcity of money (1906).

Different brands of tobacco such as Golden Bat, Antocar, Rooster, and Pinhead are analyzed by Gregory. A comparison of their prices and success on the market is made. Methods of advertising are also dealt with in some letters. Correspondence of 1906 gives lists of advertising matter and brands put on gratis to encourage sales.

Included in the collection is a Pass for Protection in China; map and book on Kyoto, Japan; and other miscellaneous items. A great number of photographs and postcards reflect life in China during this period. Nitrate negatives of some of the photographs have been placed in storage.