Cigar History: Landfield & Steele -- many questions

[jonnylieberman]

Hey guys,

Years and years ago I saw a picture of a relative of mine smoking a cigar with his foot up on a big bale of tobacco. Never thought much of it. Now that I like cigars, I asked my mother, "Who dat?"

Turns out it was a picture of my great grandfather, Harry Landfield. He apparently at one pointed wound up purchasing Perfecto Garcia in Ybor City, FL, though he lost it in the Depression. At some other point, he had a company called Landfeild & Steele. I found this label:

Anyhow, if anyone has any good sources for cigar history, specifically in Chicago and Florida, or any info at all, I'd be very grateful.

Cheers,

-Jonny-

 

[Stogie_Bear]

That's awesome. I will try to dig something up. Maybe @Jerry Ober can help too, since he is based right in Ybor.

Either way, very cool to find some new details about your ancestors. Respect, brother.

 

[joe45]

I'd try checking with Gotham cigar museum. http://gothamcigarmuseum.com/ they only deal with the old stuff and might be able to help.

 

[jonnylieberman]

Thanks Joe! I just sent them off an email.

I found some weird old digitized books on Google that kept track of tobacco buying in Chicago. Real dry reading, but in 1912 my Great Grandpappy bought 392 sheets of tobacco!

 

[jonnylieberman]

"Harry Landfield, of Landfield & Steele, Chicago, was a
buyer of 350 bales of Vuelta Abajo and Partido leaf during
his stay in town."

 

[Xavier Dredo]

He probably bought it from Capone!

 

[joe45]

As far as Chicago goes, you may also wavy to check with Iwan Ries. The shop has been there since the 1800s. Maybe someone there would know something or they may have an old book with some info.

 

[jonnylieberman]

Cheers!

 

[Stogie_Bear]

I haven't found much that hasn't already been mentioned, but thats just an online search because I'm still stuck at work. However, what is interesting is that the factory in ybor is currently for sale... Hmmmm...

 

[jonnylieberman]

I know.

Trust me, I know the factory's for sale...