[EddieP]

Base on my own research about Sweet Caporal: It was a Kinney Brand introduced in 1878. It was introduced in Canada in 1886. It became Kinney’s and eventually ATCs best selling brand in the US and Canada which is why ATC wanted to keep it after the break-up. None of the Sweet Caporal cards have the American Tobacco logo. The brand continued selling in Canada until 2011.

A misconception about Piedmont which is perpetuated by PSA is that it was a best selling brand. That is false. The Piedmont brand was introduced in 1908. A marketing ploy used by Buck Duke was to lower a cigarette brand’s price in order to generate sales, increase brand loyalty and drive out the competition. He employed this tactic with National Tobacco Works’ “Battle Axe” during the Plug Wars and with Ogden Tabs during the Tobacco Wars.

Drummond was a plug tobacco company that had its origins in Altona, Illinois. Moved to St Louis. Purchased by ATC in 1897. Ownership transferred to ATC owned Continental Tobacco in 1898. In 1901 ownership was transferred to the ATC and Continental Tobacco controlled Conglomerate, ownership reverted back to ATC when Conglomerate was dissolved in 1903.