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Tobacco Industry: Sources of Historical Research

Subscription & Internet Resources

Below are just a few of the databases that can be used for research on the history of tobacco. Some databases like Sabin America and Making of the Modern World contain many digitized documents on a variety of subjects, a number of them related to tobacco. Many of them are particularly helpful for covering the colonial period including these examples from Making of the Modern World:

  • An ordinance ... concerning the excise of tobacco (1643)
  • The Case of the tobacco-merchants, who are become insolvent, and are bound to her Majesty for duties on tobacco; humbly represented to the consideration of the honourable House of commons (1714)
  • The Case of the merchants who export tobacco (1714)
  • The tobacco trade (1842)
  • The impolicy of the present high duties on tobacco and their injurious effects on the trade and morals of the country (1848)

It is possible to find tobacco prices in newspapers. The Price Current tables listed some of the large and important commodities and tobacco was often included. In a historical news source search "price current" and that might get the charts needed.

The subscription resources marked with a padlock are available to researchers on-site at the Library of Congress. If you are unable to visit the Library, you may be able to access these resources through your local public or academic library.

Historical Research Databases & Resources

Newspapers & Journals | United States

Newspapers & Journals | International

Other Archival Collections

Beyond the Library there are many collections around the U.S. that include the companies and crop. The links below will either provide information directly related to tobacco research or will allow you to find additional collections throughout the country.