The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-03

! established Major Ginter spent a large
part OF his time travelling from place
10 place In the interests OF the firm. He
succeeded In getting his goods on the
market. and the demand for them stead
lily grew.
NET JOHN POPE.
He epent a large part OF his time In
New York in an effort to establish a
good trade there. While in the Me-
| tropols his attention was attracted TO
an industrious messenger boy. and Major
| Glnter was AT once anxious TO get him
| 10 come TO Richmond and go 10 work In
his factory. This youth was none other
\ than the late John Pope, who suisse
oucntiy became associated with Mr.. Gin
/ ter I'm the great cigarette enterprise,
which proved so lucrative for both men.
Young Pope had never had the adyan-
tagcs Of a school education. lie was
however. quick. ambitious. and possessed
| OF remarkable energy. He was always
ready 10 work and seemed deeply In
terested In any task allotted 10 him.
Some time after he was adopted by Ma
! jOr Ginter he expressed desire to stop
school during the week and spend the
whole Of the time AT the factory at
work. instead Of Saturday only. Major
Ginter was very fond OF young Pope, and
did everything in his power towards ad-
other hand, cheerfully performed all the
duties assigned to him. and often asked for
more work on Saturdays, when the other
youths OF the town were of on fishing
iaunt. or playing ball on the commons,
young Pope was at the factory bright
and early packing goods for shipment.
His extraordinary thrift and executive
ability was at no time overlooked Dy
Major Ginter He watched Pope Closely
and was proud of his protege. As an eN-
ample Of his high appreciation OF lne
young mans business capacity some
years afterwards he remarked one day
that within two years after rope cdi en-
10 Richmond the young man had more
than repaid him for all that he had re-
ceived from his benefactor
NANITFA CIGARETTES
II was nearly three years after the
establishment of the firm of John f. Al
len K Company when they commenced
the manufacture of cigarettes. AT nrst
they put out brand of all tobacco ciga-
rettes which became popular ana mad
big sale. The paper-rolled cigarettes
had lust been introduced by Kinney
Brothers. of New York. They were not
extensively used by smokers In Virginia
and the Southern States. Indeed. they
were something of a novelty in this sec
ton Of country, no systematic effort hav-
ing been made 20 find market FOR them
here.
Major Ginter conceived the idea OF man
uracturing the paper-r"'led cigarettes
and IL was not long before a popular
brand was introduced upon the market
This was known as the Richmond Gem
which steadily grew in favor at the
hands of smokers, and achieved Tor the
firm a reputation extending over several
States Soon after the Richmond Gem
made its appearance the brands "Perfec-
ton" and Napoleon" followed. These
TOO. made lively bid for popular favor
and established a fourshing trade for the
firm.
one Of Major Ginters most profitable
movements in the conduct Of the bust
ness was his enterprise in the matter OF
advertising He knew how to catch the
public eye His fine judgment and
splendid taste in advertising was seen
i'm the beautiful packages he designed.
the dencately tinted bags. the pictures
enclosed in each, and the various book
let's the firm got out. including the IA
nous Flags of All Nations. Coat OF
Arms of the States, American Birds
Kings and Rulers, Actors and Actresses
and various other series which were not
only pleasing in color and finish, but in
teresting and intructive as well. All
these became exceedingly popular as did
also the pictures enclosed in the pack
ages. and the coupon system Of prizes and
premiums.
OTHER POPULAR BRANDS.
From time 10 time after the introduce
ton of the first paper-rolled cigarette
there appeared in the market popular
brands of cigarettes and smoking tobac-
co. Conspicuous among these were
Richmond Straight Cut No. l." made Of
the brightest and most delicately flaw
ored gold leaf grown In Virginia. Pets,
made Oh the same stock; 'Daintiesf
Quebec" and more recently, since the
changes in the firm, Virginia Brights,
"Old Dominion" and others. In addition
TO the cigarettes various brands OF smok-
ing tobacco were manufactured, among
tnem being Richmond Gem Curly Cut
Gem Clippings" Richmond Straight
Cut No. L. "Old Rip" and Turkish and
Perique Mixtures.
These have been added to from time
10 time until now the great factory AT
the corner Of Seventh ana Cary streets,
OF which Major Ginter was at the head
put out dozen or more brands put up
IN as many different styles according TO
the taste Of their customers.
Major Ginter believed firmly in the value
of advertising. with this idea in view,
North and eventually in foreign countries
He made a splendid and expensive eXhi-
bit at the Centennial Exposition in
Philadelphia in 1876, and took a number
OF prizes over all competitors. From that
time the business increased steadily. and
the brands put out by John f. Allen q
Company gained popularity in the North
as well as in the South
FOR A FOREIGN MARKET
Shortly after this 1t occurred TO Mr.. Gin
ter that If he could get their goods intro
duced in Europe there would be a broad
field for building up big foreign trade.
lie watched his opportunity for some
time, and when one day Mr.. John +. AL
Vey. one of his former business partners
who was going abroad for his health.
suggested to Mr.. Ginter that he distribute
a number of packages Of their goods in
London and Paris, the offer was imme-
diatoly accepted, and Mr. Alvey carried
q lot of samples over with him.
Mr.. Alvey carried these samples TO a
well-known druggist in London. Mr.. John
NJ Richards, OF the firm of John NJ. Rich
ards a. Company. Mr. Richards. who had
handled several brands OF tobacco and
cigarettes Immediately recognized the
fine quality Of the Richmond goods, and
shortly afterwards correspondence be-
tween himself and Major Ginter was COM
menced and resulted in John T. Richards
& Company becoming the London agents
for the Richmond firm.
Mr.. Richards determined TO advertise
extensively by way of getting the new
goods before the public. This policy was
in accord with the views of Major Ginter,
who gave his foreign agent hearty en-
CONFINEMENT and cooperation