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Joseph Hall
| Name | Joseph Hall |
| Ortssitz | New York City |
| Straße | Barclay Street 76 |
| Art des Unternehmens | Zigarrenfabrik |
| Anmerkungen | Bezeichnet als "Joseph Hall's Cigar Manufactory". |
| Quellenangaben | [Bishop: History of American manufacturers 3 (1868) 530] |
| Zeit |
Ereignis |
| 01.05.1836 |
J. Hall beginnt sein Geschäft in kleinem Umfange in der Second Street. |
| 04.05.1836 |
Das Geschäft wird völlig durch Feuer zerstört. |
| Produkt |
ab |
Bem. |
bis |
Bem. |
Kommentar |
| Zigarren |
1868 |
[Bishop: Hist. of Amer. manuf. I (1868)] |
1868 |
[Bishop: Hist. of Amer. manuf. I (1868)] |
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| ZEIT | 1868 |
| THEMA | Firmenbeschreibung |
| TEXT | May be fairly considered a representative establishment in the Cigar branch of the Tobacco Manufacture, its proprietor having contributed as much toward the development of the Cigar Trade in the United States as any one engaged in the pursuit. Mr. Hall commenced business, in a small way, May 1st, 1836, in Second street, and on the third day after, his place was totally destroyed by fire. For about nine months, subsequent to this event, he worked as a journeyman cigar-maker in various parts of the city, and then opened a small retail store at No. 80 Barclay street, a door or two west of his present location, the site of which is now occupied by a section of C. H. Lilienthal's Tobacco Manufactory. As in the former instance, he started here with exceedingly limited means, himself working constantly at the table, and neither the premises nor its unattractive surroundings indicating in any manner the favorable changes which a few years were destined to witness in their appearance and magnitude. He continued in this place several years, all the while improving and enlarging his field of operations, and finally purchased and moved into the large five-story building now occupied by him. At the period referred to, Cigar making in this country, though quite extensively prosecuted, and not without claims to recognition as a distinct and respectable manufacturing art, was far from having reached the high position to which it has since attained. There were a few manufacturers who seemed to possess a true appreciation of the requirements and capabilities of the trade, and who sought to elevate it to the rank it occupied abroad, and more especially in Havana, where it had reached its greatest perfection; but, for the most part, the efforts of manufacturers were confined to the production of the coarser'and cheaper varieties, and it was a rare thing to see in any establishment a specimen of really choice goods, or of finished workmanship. A superior workman himself, and endowed, moreover, with excellent judgment, discrimination, and taste, Mr. Hall early conceived the idea that it was possible not only to equal the best foreign productions, but 'in many respects to surpass them; and to this end he diligently applied himself - with what success, the history of the trade in this city and elsewhere, during the past quarter of a century, amply testifies. Through his influence, a higher standard of excellence was at once inaugurated. To accomplish the object in view, he conceived the essential requisites to be, the selection in all cases of good material - extra attention in its preparation for use - the employment of thoroughly-trained and skilful operatives - and the adoption of fixed rules for their observance and government. His system of manufacture has been extensively copied, and there are now few large manufactories in which will not be found some rule of practice or procedure that had its origin in his practical mind. Among his most important and valuable contributions to the trade, may be mentioned his early discovery and demonstration of the virtues and adaptability of Connecticut Tobacco to fine Cigars. Prior to his appropriation of this material for this purpose, a considerable prejudice existed against it, and it was thought suitable only for common domestic goods; but when it had been shown by him that it was available for the finest quality also, when properly handled, and associated with Spanish Tobacco, it immediately rose in public estimation, and became a popular substitute for some varieties of the latter. The unparalleled advance of the Tobacco interest in Connecticut, within a decade or two, is in a measure due to the impetus given to it by his judicious example. Mr. Hall has risen to wealth and eminence, and the secret of his art lies mainly in his careful selection and distribution of material. With a precision little less than that of the practical compositor in disposing of his types, he distributes and classifies his material - devoting this parcel to the finer grades, that to the medium, and another to the common; and so, is enabled to appropriate every portion of his stock to advantage. The progress of this house, like that of every other commencing under like circumstances, was of gradual growth. The old story, of success delayed and hope deferred, is written here as well as elsewhere; but the triumph finally came. In no other similar establishment, perhaps, are the beneficial effects of systematized labor seen to better advantage than here. Each operative seems to be keenly alive to the obligations resting upon him, and yet so discreetly are the rules enforced, that no one appears to be conscious of any restraint other than such as is imposed by his own sense of responsibility. In its busiest seasons this house employs nearly one hundred operatives, and its average labor force is fifty men. The average production is two million Cigars per annum, embracing almost every variety, from the choicest to the most ordinary brands, although the greater portion of the trade is in the former qualities. The patronage of the house is peculiar, consisting chiefly of regular dealers, whose intercourse, in many instances, dates from its inception; and though varied, and extending to every section of the country, the transactions are seldom of a speculative character. It therefore differs from that of several other leading houses, whose traffic is confined to supplying orders from agents and factors, and which, accordingly, is more or less ephemeral and uncertain. As a consequence of this peculiarity, as well as owing to the acknowledged reputation of the establishment, its products are said to command better prices than similar ones emanating elsewhere. Mr. Hall is President of the Cigar Manufacturers' Association of the City of New York, and Vice President of the Tobacconists' National Association, and during the last four or five years has devoted considerable time and attention to the interests and welfare of those organizations. |
| QUELLE | [Bishop: History of American manufacturers 3 (1868) 530] |
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