Important Cigar Makers?
1840-1960
Any time you choose a top ten, a top 100, a top 1,000, it doesn’t matter what you’re choosing or how long it takes, someone will complain about your choices. And rightly so. Compiling lists of anything is a matter of opinion and inevitably stirs debate. I admit this selection of “important” companies is based on vague criteria, is arbitrary and clouded in the mysteries of history. The truth is, being chosen to be on this list is also somewhat dependent on the availability of illustrations and information.
Certainly there can be no dispute about some of the selections. New York’s Straiton & Storm, Lichtenstein Bros., and Sutro & Newmark were the largest and most prolific cigar makers of their era. Some other companies are included because of longevity, productivity, creativity of their packaging or marketing, or simply because the company represents a class or type of company and I own a lot of examples of what they produced.
The list at left is neither complete nor definitive, nor is it in order of any sort of ranking. In very broad terms, the closer to the top of the list, the sooner I am likely to build an exhibit of the company. No Cuban companies are included here, as their histories are part of the Cuban gallery, and are or will be posted elsewhere in the Museum.
Even without Cuban makers, this is a long list as many U.S. and Canadian cigar companies deserve to be singled out. As a result, it’s going to take years to complete this gallery.
You are encouraged to make suggestions, or provide company histories or photos.
