Commemorating Marcelino Perez A Legendary Figure In The World of Cigars
A Cigar Maker's Journey
Marcelino Perez was born in Meredo, in the province of Asturias, Spain, November 16, 1864. He was the son of Pedro Perez and Amalia Villanueva. As a child, he helped his father in the family business but, at the age of 16, in 1881, he decided to embark for Cuba moved more by his desire for adventure and to broaden horizons than by strict economic necessity. He initially acquired a position as a clerk in a grocery store. Soon after, he apprenticed himself to the cigar making trade in the Murias Factory in Havana. In 1883, at the age of twenty years, and having mastered all details of the leaf tobacco and cigar making business, he opened a small factory of his own in that city employing 12 people. Two years later he came to Key West, Florida, working in the Gato Factory and factories in Jacksonville,
Florida and other other points in that State and eventually made his way to New York, NY.
On May 1, 1887, he started his career as an American businessman, opening a cigar store and factory at 87th St and 3rd Ave, Manhattan, in partnership with Pancho Gonzalez. Later, with Frank Alvarez, the firm of Perez and Alvarez was formed.
In 1890, the factory was moved to 14th St and 3rd Ave. Subsequently, the business was incorporated with Abraham Winter and under the laws of the State of New York, became known as M. Perez Co. Associated with this concern were also Manual Rodriguez, who acted as factory superintendent and David T. Whitbeck, salesman.
The enterprise met with considerable success, but a few years later Mr. Winter and Mr. Perez decided to part company. By 1904 Mr. Perez had bought out his former partners interests and the firm name was changed to Marcelino Perez & Company. At this point Marcelino’s oldest son, Manuel, joined the company and a year later his second son, Jose, did as well. Eventually a third son, Marcelino, and a fourth son, William, would enter into partnership with the family business. In 1911 the factory was moved to the corner of William and Duane Streets, and in 1918 a factory was opened by the firm in Tampa. Shortly afterward, the New York factory was closed but offices and headquarters still remained in the city. The move to Florida started with renting the entire floor space of the Berriman Brothers factory building at 13th Avenue and 18th Street in Tampa. For the next 8 years only one brand was made—“Tuval.”
Marcelino Perez died on September 16, 1920. He made provisions in his will for continuance of the firm that he founded. The will also directed that in the conduct of the business his two oldest sons would be controlling. In 1926 they purchased the building at 2008 N 19th Street and moved operations there. The enterprise would continue its success for the next 15 years, finally closing its doors in 1941.
A Tragedy in New Jersey
While business was doing well, Marcelino had to go to Cuba for the first time to buy branch tobacco for manufacturing. He booked passage on the steamship Vizcaya and when arriving at the dock, officials allowed him to board but not his luggage. Since he carried in them documents necessary for his activities in Havana, he decided not to get on the boat.
On that day in 1890, the coal schooner Cornelius Hargraves was apparently under full sail at night with no running lights when it struck the Vizcaya, almost cutting it in half. It sank in minutes, and soon afterwards the Hargraves settled to the bottom nearby. Total casualties from the two ships were 60 lost while 43 were rescued. None of the women and children aboard the Vizcaya survived.
A Cigar Visionary and Social Benefactor
Marcelino Perez was conspicuous in the cigar industry in two respects, first, as the founder of one of the few exclusively clear Havana concerns that still remain intact, and second, because of his own upright and congenial personality. Marcelino was universally conceded to be one of the best judges of Havana tobacco in the country and his knowledge of the processes of manufacture was unrivalled. Under his management the famous Tuval an Hotel Pontchartrain brands were established, and in addition to his knowledge of manufacture he was one of the best-known salesmen in the country. Perez could go into the Cuban tobacco market and make selections with unerring judgement; he could and did organize and superintend a factory so as to produce a maximum of results with a minimum of friction; and when occasion required it, he could take a seat at the bench and turn out cigars comparing favorably with those produced by the most skilled workmen in constant practice. The degree in which he had the respect and confidence of business associates and competitors was quite unusual. His kindly nature and high sense of justice and honor made him the repository of many confidences and his foresight and good judgment caused his advice and counsel to be frequently sought.
The many-sided character of the man was best revealed in his efforts to be of service to the men of Spanish birth who, like himself, had found a home in America. He was actively identified with many Spanish organizations, and to all of them he gave great constructive energy and effort. Few men, though they had larger means, were more charitable. His time and financial resources were heavily taxed, but he was always ready to do more than his share.
He was several times elected president of the Sociedad La Nacional of New York and founder and chief supporter of Union Benefica Espanola and in Havana, a member of Centro Dependientes and Centro Asturiano. He was also a member of a number of other fraternal and social organizations and societies, including Spanish Masonic lodge in Brooklyn, the Montauk Club, and the Merchants Association of New York. Though not many of his friends knew it, Marcelino Perez, because of his work in behalf of unfortunate Spaniards, was awarded a decoration by the King of Spain that carried with it the title of Excelentisimo.