The Advertising Campaigns of the 1901/2 Tobacco War and Ogden’s of Liverpool

Howard Cox

Significant outcomes of the Tobacco War included the formation of:-

Imperial Tobacco Co(1901)

British American Tobacco Co.(1902)

Final legacy ofTobacco War wasOgden’s litigation

The Ogden’sArchive Papers

Guinea GoldOgden’s leading brand

selling at 10 for 3d

Heavily advertisedin the press during

late 1890s

Hand-rolled EgyptianCigarettes popularised

“modern” form of smoking

James Duke’sAmerican Tobacco Co

developed asubstantial export

trade in the UKduring the 1890s

“The Great Tobacco Deal”

“Harmony and Approval”

Ogden’ssell-outto ATC inSept 1901

Tabs were Ogden’sbrand in the

5 for 1d segment

1900 1901 1902 19030

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

TabsGuinea GoldSweet CaporalAll US Imports

Ogden’s Annual Cigarette Sales 1900-1903

Source: Ogden’s Daily Sales Ledger Ref: 380 OGD/5/5/2/1

Imported American cigarettescompeted in the 10 for 3d segment

Sweet Caporalmade significantinroads in the UK market at

the expense of Guinea Gold

Creation of BAT led theOgden’s firm to be sold toImperial

But its export businessbecame an importantUK element of BAT