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A message from Thompson Cigar

To celebrate a century of fine cigars Thompson & Company, Inc. will delight our cigar aficionados with commemorative exclusive offers from the biggest National brand manufacturers, anniversary edition high-quality must-have accessories, popular Thompson Brand cigar bargains, in-store events and special deals throughout the year! We will have unique offers in all of our media channels - online, in our call center, in our retail store and in our catalog! As we celebrate our centennial we hope you enjoy the festive experiences ahead. Thank you for helping us reach our 100th anniversary! Few companies can stand the test of time. We could not have reached this landmark occasion without you. View the timeline below and see world events & Thompson milestones from the past 100 years!

Commemorative 100th Anniversary Items

Picture
1915

M.A. Thompson establishes Thompson Cigar Company in Key West, Florida, as a manufacturer and distributor of fine cigars.

Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity is published. Alexander Graham Bell conducts the first transcontinental call.

Picture
1917-1918

The United States joins the Allies in World War I. The war ends with the Versailles Treaty and the formation of the League of Nations.

Thompson sends cigars to the troops overseas, a practice that remains today.

Picture
1920

After hurricanes decimate most cigar factories in Key West, M.A. Thompson moves his factory to Ybor City, Tampa, known as the "Cigar Capital of the World." He brings a number of employees with him.

The 19th Amendment is ratified giving women the right to vote.

Picture
1926

M.A. Thompson relocates his headquarters to N. Edison Avenue, near downtown Tampa.

Picture
1929

Thompson acquired Postal Permit #1 in the city of Tampa, which it still holds today.

The stock market crashes and brings on the Great Depression, which would not end until around 1939.

Picture
1930

Thompson accounts for about 25% of the city's postal receipts. The Standing Order Club begins, the precursor to today's 250 Bonus Club.

The Original Tom Timmins

Picture
1933

Germany, Japan and Italy withdraw from the League of Nations.

Picture
1934

M.A. Thompson moves his factory to Bartow, Florida where it will remain until 1960.

Picture
1939

World War II breaks out when Germany invades Poland and Great Britain declares war on Germany.

Picture
1940

Thompson celebrates its 25-year Anniversary.

Picture
1941

The United States enters World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Once again, Thompson sends cigars to our soldiers in all theaters of war.

Picture
1945

World War II officially ends.

Picture
1951

The United States enters The Korean War, which began in 1950 and would last until 1953.

Continuing the Thompson tradition, troops receive cigars.

Picture
1955

Thompson celebrates its 40th Anniversary.

The microwave oven and first TV remote control are invented.

Picture
1960

Thompson Cigar Company is sold to Robert Franzblau who opts not to purchase the Bartow factory. Franzblau switches cigar production to local Tampa factories like M & N Cigars and Gradiaz-Annis, which will make cigars under the Thompson brand. Both Stanford Newman and Morton Annis will serve as Franzblau's mentors for many years. Newman bought Cuesta Rey and Annis owned Gold Label and Macanudo, which he eventually sold to General Cigar Company.

In October 1960, the United States imposed the Cuban Embargo, preventing the United States from importing Cuban cigars and tobacco. Cuba continues to export elsewhere in the world. Tobacco farmers and cigar makers flee Cuba, smuggling seeds with them and re-planting them in their new adopted homelands, including the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras. To this day there is still Cuban-seed tobacco grown in these countries.

Picture
1961

The company continues to sell "clear Havana" cigars manufactured in Tampa until its Cuban inventory is used up.

Picture
1965

Thompson celebrates 50th Anniversary.

The Beatles release Help and Rubber Soul

Picture
1971

Thompson starts offering pipes for sale; specifically ceramic pipes from Holland and briar pipes from Italy.

Picture
1975

Thompson obtains UPS Permit #2.

Picture
1977

Thompson's first toll-free number is installed.

Picture
1979

The first Thompson Cigar Company catalogs are mailed out. Until now, Thompson used letter and postcard-based mailings.

Sony introduces the Walkman, which cost $200.

Picture
1982

Owner Robert Franzblau moves Thompson to its present-day headquarters at Hangar Court, which includes offices, a call center, a large humidor and a counter in the lobby, which sells cigars.

Picture
1986

Thompson starts offering its first national brands. Up until now it only offered Thompson brands.

Picture
1995

Thompson's first website goes up with two pages.

Picture
1996-1998

In response to the cigar boom, new Thompson Cigar brands are introduced including La Paloma, Belmondo and Iguana.

The cigar boom explodes with the help of Marvin Shanken, publisher of Cigar Aficionado and Wine Spectator. Shanken creates cachet around cigars and adds a cool factor by putting celebrities on the covers of his magazines, smoking cigars. Cigars became the symbol of success and the industry flourished, which many believe continues to this day.

Picture
2001

Thompson sends cigars to troops in Afghanistan.

Picture
2001

The company becomes a sponsor for Southeastern Guide Dogs.

Picture
2003

Thompson's website with a .net address goes up. The company sends cigars to soldiers in Iraq.

Picture

The first camera phone was invented.

Picture
2004

Thompson's in-house humidor is enlarged to 15,000 cubic feet.

Picture
2008

Thompson's new web platform debuts. Social media platforms are developed and introduced with the first facebook posting occurring on June 13.

Picture
2009

The company becomes a sponsor for the Tampa Bay History Center.

Picture
2009

The company becomes a sponsor for Thanks For The Troops Golf Tournament.

Picture
2010

The company becomes a sponsor for Paws For Patriots.

Picture
2010

Thompson celebrates its 95th Anniversary.

Picture
2011

The company becomes a sponsor for Cigars and Guitars.

Picture
2012

Thompson Cigar's Retail Store is enlarged and refurnished.

Picture
2015

Thompson Cigar receives Proclamation from Mayor of Tampa, Bob Buckhorn, declaring May 30, 2015 "Thompson Cigar Company Day".

Picture
2015

Thompson celebrates its 100th Anniversary as the world's oldest cigar mail order company, and the 55th year under the leadership of Robert Franzblau. Happy centennial celebration to us!

The Cuban Embargo's restrictions are partially lifted. Diplomatic relations with Cuba are normalized and travelers can now bring $100 worth of Cuban cigars into the U.S.

A message from Thompson Cigar

To celebrate a century of fine cigars Thompson & Company, Inc. will delight our cigar aficionados with commemorative exclusive offers from the biggest National brand manufacturers, anniversary edition high-quality must-have accessories, popular Thompson Brand cigar bargains, in-store events and special deals throughout the year! We will have unique offers in all of our media channels - online, in our call center, in our retail store and in our catalog! As we celebrate our centennial we hope you enjoy the festive experiences ahead. Thank you for helping us reach our 100th anniversary! Few companies can stand the test of time. We could not have reached this landmark occasion without you. View the timeline below and see world events & Thompson milestones from the past 100 years!

Commemorative 100th Anniversary Items

Picture
1915

M.A. Thompson establishes Thompson Cigar Company in Key West, Florida, as a manufacturer and distributor of fine cigars.

Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity is published. Alexander Graham Bell conducts the first transcontinental call.

Picture
1917-1918

The United States joins the Allies in World War I. The war ends with the Versailles Treaty and the formation of the League of Nations.

Thompson sends cigars to the troops overseas, a practice that remains today.

Picture
1920

After hurricanes decimate most cigar factories in Key West, M.A. Thompson moves his factory to Ybor City, Tampa, known as the "Cigar Capital of the World." He brings a number of employees with him.

The 19th Amendment is ratified giving women the right to vote.

Picture
1926

M.A. Thompson relocates his headquarters to N. Edison Avenue, near downtown Tampa.

Picture
1929

Thompson acquired Postal Permit #1 in the city of Tampa, which it still holds today.

The stock market crashes and brings on the Great Depression, which would not end until around 1939.

Picture
1930

Thompson accounts for about 25% of the city's postal receipts. The Standing Order Club begins, the precursor to today's 250 Bonus Club.

The Original Tom Timmins

Picture
1933

Germany, Japan and Italy withdraw from the League of Nations.

Picture
1934

M.A. Thompson moves his factory to Bartow, Florida where it will remain until 1960.

Picture
1939

World War II breaks out when Germany invades Poland and Great Britain declares war on Germany.

Picture
1940

Thompson celebrates its 25-year Anniversary.

Picture
1941

The United States enters World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Once again, Thompson sends cigars to our soldiers in all theaters of war.

Picture
1945

World War II officially ends.

Picture
1951

The United States enters The Korean War, which began in 1950 and would last until 1953.

Continuing the Thompson tradition, troops receive cigars.

Picture
1955

Thompson celebrates its 40th Anniversary.

The microwave oven and first TV remote control are invented.

Picture
1960

Thompson Cigar Company is sold to Robert Franzblau who opts not to purchase the Bartow factory. Franzblau switches cigar production to local Tampa factories like M & N Cigars and Gradiaz-Annis, which will make cigars under the Thompson brand. Both Stanford Newman and Morton Annis will serve as Franzblau's mentors for many years. Newman bought Cuesta Rey and Annis owned Gold Label and Macanudo, which he eventually sold to General Cigar Company.

In October 1960, the United States imposed the Cuban Embargo, preventing the United States from importing Cuban cigars and tobacco. Cuba continues to export elsewhere in the world. Tobacco farmers and cigar makers flee Cuba, smuggling seeds with them and re-planting them in their new adopted homelands, including the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras. To this day there is still Cuban-seed tobacco grown in these countries.

Picture
1961

The company continues to sell "clear Havana" cigars manufactured in Tampa until its Cuban inventory is used up.

Picture
1965

Thompson celebrates 50th Anniversary.

The Beatles release Help and Rubber Soul

Picture
1971

Thompson starts offering pipes for sale; specifically ceramic pipes from Holland and briar pipes from Italy.

Picture
1975

Thompson obtains UPS Permit #2.

Picture
1977

Thompson's first toll-free number is installed.

Picture
1979

The first Thompson Cigar Company catalogs are mailed out. Until now, Thompson used letter and postcard-based mailings.

Sony introduces the Walkman, which cost $200.

Picture
1982

Owner Robert Franzblau moves Thompson to its present-day headquarters at Hangar Court, which includes offices, a call center, a large humidor and a counter in the lobby, which sells cigars.

Picture
1986

Thompson starts offering its first national brands. Up until now it only offered Thompson brands.

Picture
1995

Thompson's first website goes up with two pages.

Picture
1996-1998

In response to the cigar boom, new Thompson Cigar brands are introduced including La Paloma, Belmondo and Iguana.

The cigar boom explodes with the help of Marvin Shanken, publisher of Cigar Aficionado and Wine Spectator. Shanken creates cachet around cigars and adds a cool factor by putting celebrities on the covers of his magazines, smoking cigars. Cigars became the symbol of success and the industry flourished, which many believe continues to this day.

Picture
2001

Thompson sends cigars to troops in Afghanistan.

Picture
2001

The company becomes a sponsor for Southeastern Guide Dogs.

Picture
2003

Thompson's website with a .net address goes up. The company sends cigars to soldiers in Iraq.

Picture

The first camera phone was invented.

Picture
2004

Thompson's in-house humidor is enlarged to 15,000 cubic feet.

Picture
2008

Thompson's new web platform debuts. Social media platforms are developed and introduced with the first facebook posting occurring on June 13.

Picture
2009

The company becomes a sponsor for the Tampa Bay History Center.

Picture
2009

The company becomes a sponsor for Thanks For The Troops Golf Tournament.

Picture
2010

The company becomes a sponsor for Paws For Patriots.

Picture
2010

Thompson celebrates its 95th Anniversary.

Picture
2011

The company becomes a sponsor for Cigars and Guitars.

Picture
2012

Thompson Cigar's Retail Store is enlarged and refurnished.

Picture
2015

Thompson Cigar receives Proclamation from Mayor of Tampa, Bob Buckhorn, declaring May 30, 2015 "Thompson Cigar Company Day".

Picture
2015

Thompson celebrates its 100th Anniversary as the world's oldest cigar mail order company, and the 55th year under the leadership of Robert Franzblau. Happy centennial celebration to us!

The Cuban Embargo's restrictions are partially lifted. Diplomatic relations with Cuba are normalized and travelers can now bring $100 worth of Cuban cigars into the U.S.

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