1926 St. Louis Missouri Jas. H. Forbes Tea & Coffee Co billhead 926 Clark Ave

Description: PLEASE READ BEFORE BUYING: I sell ONLY ORIGINAL items and NOT ANY reproductions. This sale is for oneadvertising BiLLHEAD, from JAS. H. FORBES TEA & COFFEE COMPANYEstablished in 1853 (Note: I have another billhead that notes est. 1867?) IMPORTERS and WHOLESALERS of COFFEE,Located at908 to 926 Clark Street in $t. LOUIS, MiSSOuRIduring the year of 1926. Salesman is listed as: SHANKS The Billhead purchase was for "Handy Pans Santa Fe Trail coffee"HISTORY: The Jas. H. Forbes Tea and Coffee Co. Inc. a family business!The Jas. H. Forbes Tea and Coffee Co., referred to as Forbes Coffee, began in 1853 in St. Louis, Missouri. in 1953, on the 100th anniversary, President James H. Forbes, wrote a two page history "Among Ourselves" for friends, customers and employees. At the end of 1853 James H. Forbes purchased the "Franklin Tea and Coffee House" which failed the year prior when it opened. It had introduced a new way of selling coffee: ground, roasted and ready to brew. Previously, coffee was sold green in whole beans. Typically customers took the beans home, roasted and ground them prior to brewing. It is believed the newness of the concept was why Franklin had failed.James Forbes was determined to make it work. In a few years he renamed the company to James Forbes, Coffee Merchant. In 1893 it moved to larger quarters to "near 4th St. a few doors west of Broadway" to 112 Locust Street. In 1910 it moved to a 5-story building at 908 Clark Street. Nine years later more space was needed and a building of the same size was built adjacent to the 908 Clark building, changing the address to 922 Clark Street. It remained there until it was demolished in about 1963 to make way for a Busch Stadium ramp for the new expressway downtown. At that time the company was owned by the Woolson Spice Co. of Toledo and all St. Louis operations were moved to Toledo.Two of James H. Forbes sons lived to adulthood and both came into the business. Alexander E. Forbes worked while still in school. He joined the business after and became a partner in 1870. In 1878 Robert M. Forbes joined the business and was soon also made a partner. The father died in 1890 and his both sons Alexander (Alec) and Robert ran the business. Forbes Coffee was incorporated in 1901 with Alec President and Robert Vice-President. By 1928 Alec was Chairman, Robert was President, and Robert's son James was Vice-President. Following World War II, Alec's grandson David Forbes Orwing joined the business. Alec was in the business for 75 years until his death in 1937 at age 94. Robert Forbes continued until his death at age 66 in 1928. The business was sold in 1956, James (grandson of the founder) and David Orwig (great grandson of the founder) were President and Vice-President respectively.In 1890 the company discontinued its retail business and sold tea and coffee only wholesale. In 1898 a spice department was added, run for more than 50 years from Frederick E. Stillman. David Orwig succeeded him in running that department which included extracts as well as spices. Forbes also sold mustard, roasted peanuts, and seasonally minced meat. For a time they sold a summer drink concentrate which the consumer diluted with water. It was sold in a variety of flavors, fruits, etc., but being non-carbonated did not survive in the market place. Peanuts were a small sideline, produced because they were easily roasted in the same roasters as the coffee. I believe that they were only sold in bulk, however, in at least one season they had a contract to supply them in small bags for Sportsman's Park, home of the St. Louis Cardinals and Browns. The bags read "Forbes Peanuts." CONDITION: It has normal letter folds, is in good condition, it has some toning (visible in scan), the "EBAY ITEM" thing is just a loose piece of paper that is not attached to the billhead.APPROXIMATE SIZE OF BILLHEAD IS 8 1/2" X 8 1/2".TERMS & CONDITIONS:Immediate payment is required. Free shipping to the continental U.S. only. When you receive your item, PLEASE leave feedback (I will see it) and I will reciprocate feedback at that time. PLEASE view my other Ebay store items for related ephemera, antique documents, and paper collectibles at TexasJohnnyboy Ephemera!THANK YOU VERY MUCH and GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

Price: 45 USD

Location: Houston, Texas

End Time: 2024-11-14T16:42:14.000Z

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