I have been asking/bugging Jack Peterson tell me the history of SterlingTobaccos for quite some time now. Since Jack has no protege at this time - I think it is a worthy story wanting to be told. Also IMHO I think it would be great for members to hear more about Sterling/1776 Tobacco Co's while Jack is around to tell it. Jack is a great guy, a true gentleman in our community and a superb blender who does business the old fashioned way - and he
offers some superb Tobacco Blends to all pipe smoker. You can contact Sterling/1776 Tobacco via internet at or you can call him at 1800 891-7761 for more information."
"Here is Jack in his own words as he recounts the history of Sterling Tobacco
Company:"
"Here's the story as I know it. It began in the 1940's or 50's when "Doc" Allan
opened business as the "Smoke Ring" in Rock Falls, a sister city to Sterling.
The Smoke Ring is a sports store (still in business) that also sold tobacco
products. Doc sold the business and the new owner discontinued the tobacco part
of the business. Since Doc had a non compete clause in the sale he could not
start another business except when the new owner discontinued the tobacco.
That's when Doc started the pipe shop and called it "Sterling Pipe Center".
The store was a success and Doc began experimenting with blending tobacco. His
first was "Bush Pilot" followed closely with Double Eagle and Old Dominion which
he said was the first all black tobacco in the nation.
Doc soon added to his collection of blends and hired reps to sell them east and
west. While selling to other tobacco shops he began selling to the 1776 tobacco
shop in PA and aquired their name and customer list when they went out of
business. As smoking declined so did the ability to finance sales people.
In 1977 my brothers and I aquired the business and I began blending tobaccos
too. Smoking continued to fall and the city wanted to renovate the downtown
area so we closed the store. I bought the remaining business from my brothers and
continued selling to our customers via mail order. Along came the internet
which has helped me to renew the business and so we come to today. So goes my
tale."
