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Preferred Citation:

R.A. Patterson to James Thomas, Jr. Letter, 1855, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Biographical / Historical

Administrative History:

Biographical Information:

Founder of R.A. Patterson & Sons Tobacco Company

Administrative History:

Dr. Richard Archibad Patterson is the founder of R. A. Patterson and Son's Tobacco Company and for the famous introduction of "Lucky Strike" cigarettes in 1871.

Scope and Contents

Three page letter from R.A. (Richard Archibald) Patterson to James Thomas, Jr. dated March 14, 1855.  Patterson is writing from Norfolk, Va. to Thomas is Richmond.  In the letter, he complains about the abundance of tobacco and the negative effects of the surplus on his ability to sell his tobacco for a decent price.  "there is tobacco enough in Norfolk for two places like it and besides the trade here possesses the same ammonia for bright Tobacco as almost everywhere else- They want nothing but bright colored Tobacco, "that is for pounds and half pounds."  He further goes on to discuss his competition, "Dr. Saunders Tobacco seems to have the sun here now."  Later he suggests that he will try to sell one more time and then perhaps head to Charleston in hopes of encountering a more profitable market.