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| Full Citation |
| Material Information |
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Title: |
A Warehouse filled with cigar boxes at Gradiaz-Annis and Co. |
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Physical Description: |
1 photograph ( 20 x 25 cm ) |
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Creator: |
Robertson and Fresh Photographers, 1925-1960 ( Photographer ) |
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Publication Date: |
1925 |
| Subjects |
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Subject: |
Plant, Industrial ( Building, Structures ) ( nmc )
Cigar industry ( lctgm )
Gradiaz-Annis and Company (2311 18th Street) ( lctgm )
Warehouses ( lctgm )
Cigar Boxes ( lctgm ) |
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Spatial Coverage: |
Tampa |z 1271000 |2 ceeus
Hillsborough County |z 12057 |2 ceeus
United States of America -- Florida -- Hillsborough County -- Tampa |
| Notes |
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General Note: |
Julius B. Annis was born June 4, 1890 in Luvno, Hungary. At present there is nothing known of his parentage, or when he emigrated to the United States. It is known that he registered for the draft during World War One and at that time he was residing at Brooklyn, New York. He married Minnie Brosow before 1917 and had at least one child, Morton Lawrence Annis Sr.
It is evident that Julius became affiliated with one of the larger and well known cigar companies, "Sanchez and Haya" in New York City. A brief history of this cigar company and it's founders is in order, so that the evolution of the company can be seen in regards to "J. B. Annis".
"Fact & Fancy About Cigars and Tobacco", by Morton L. Annis Sr. (1967)
In 1867, Senors Ignacio Haya and Serfino Sanchez, natives of Spain came to New York City with $1000.00 in capital and started what was to become one of the most successful cigar manufacturies in the world. In 1886 they moved their operations to Tampa, Florida and they received the U.S. Revenue designation of "Factory No. 1". Tampa soon became the cigar manufacturing industry giant and Sanchez & Haya retained it's leadership roll. The company ultimately acquired and merged with many of the old-line Tampa producers, such as Morgan Cigar Co., Schwab-Davis y Cia. and many more. By 1892, both Senor Haya and Sanchez were leaders of the Spanish community and their financial ability, philanthropy, and industry were legendary.
J. B. (Bunny) Annis began as a "drummer", or cigar salesman, who traveled from coast to coast selling his wares to Tobacconist and cigar merchants. "Dapper, loquacious, true bon vivants of the era .. perhaps the original American Salesman." Julius Annis, was at this time a guiding spirit and became partners in what is now known as Gradiaz, Annis or "Gradiaz y Annis", and was the Dean of these legendary "Knights of the Panetela."
In 1963 Gradiaz Annis became a Division of General Cigar Co., Inc. Julius Benjamin Annis died the following year (June 1964) in Tampa. His son, Morton Lawrence Annis Sr. (1917-1979), President of Gradiaz, Annis, wrote about his father in 1967:
"My father had a basic compelling motivation for excellence of product which was, in truth, his religion and his way of life. His love for tobacco and fine cigars was sacrosanct and so traditional in concept that he vigorously opposed all modern technological advances, preferring to create cigars in the great classic style of his youth."
Gradiaz, Annis is still known world wide as "World Leader in Luxury Cigars". |
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Funding: |
Funded in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Ephemeral Cities Project. |
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