Evelyn L. Gentry Collection

1990s, undated
Manuscript Collection #888
Creator(s)
Gentry, Evelyn L.
Physical description
0.22 Cubic Feet, 1 container, 3 items
Preferred Citation
Evelyn L. Gentry Collection (#888), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
Access
No restrictions

Collection (ca. 1990's, undated) of tobacco products and containers, including a John B. Swisher and Son, Inc. King Edward the Seventh Imperial cigar box (empty); American Tobacco Company Half and Half Burley and Bright tobacco box in original plastic wrapper; R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Apple Sun Cured chewing tobacco in original plastic wrapper.


Biographical/historical information

John B. Swisher and Son, Inc. (now Swisher) is a tobacco company founded by David Swisher in 1861. Originally based in Newark, Ohio, the company sold cigars throughout the Midwest. In 1888, the company was bought by David's sons, John and Harry Swisher, and was renamed Swisher Brothers. It was again bought out by John in 1913 and renamed to John B. Swisher and Son, Inc. In approximately 1923, John chose Jacksonville, Florida, as the new location for the business and the company has been based in Jacksonville since.

The American Tobacco Company was formed out of Durham County in 1890 by J. B. Duke as a merger of several different tobacco manufacturers. The company was a major force in the tobacco industry due to the acquisition of the Lucky Strike Company and another 200 rival firms. It was split into several large companies following Federal Antitrust action in 1907. In 1969, the company restructured itself and became subsidiary to American Brands, Inc., a holding company created by the American Tobacco Company.

The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, the second-largest tobacco company in the United States, is based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The company was founded by R.J. Reynolds in 1875 and produces brands such as Camel, Newport, and Pall Mall.


Administrative information
Custodial History

September 17, 2002 (unprocessed), 1 container, 3 items, 0.22 cubic feet; Collection (ca. 1990's, undated) of tobacco products and containers, including a John B. Swisher & Son, Inc. King Edward the Seventh Imperial cigar box (empty); American Tobacco Company Half and Half Burley and Bright tobacco box in original plastic wrapper; R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Apple Sun Cured chewing tobacco in original plastic wrapper. Donor: Evelyn L. Gentry.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Evelyn L. Gentry

Processing information

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Copyright notice

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


Key terms
Topical
Advertising--Tobacco
Tobacco jars and boxes