SINCE 1787
We have been trading in fine tobacco and smokers'
accessories from 19 St James's Street for over 225 years and our customers have
included discriminating smokers from all walks of life – from commoners to
kings. Among them have been Sir Winston Churchill, Oscar Wilde, British and
Foreign Royalty, the officer's mess of famous British regiments, and the
leading lights of the stage, film, sport, tv, radio, music and literature.
Our world famous tobacco business started with Robert Lewis,
who began trading fine tobacco in St James's Street in 1787. James J Fox was
formed in Dublin in 1881 and opened its first tobacco shop in London in 1947.
Fox acquired the business of Robert Lewis on 14 September 1992, uniting two of
the most respected names in the cigar world. Both companies now trade as JJ Fox
(St James's) Ltd and run the cigar departments of Harrods and Selfridges.
FREDERIC JAMES FOX
1913-1990
Born in 1913, Frederic (Freddie) was the fourth of five
children and the youngest of James Fox’s three sons.
He found himself in charge of the family business, a single
cigar shop on Dublin’s Grafton Street, after the untimely death of his two
brothers. Stanley Fox was shot dead by armed thieves thought to be members of
the IRA in 1926, while Ronald (Biffy) was missing in action over the Dutch
coast in 1942 during an RAF mine laying mission.
Freddie, not content with just one shop, took the business
from strength to strength. He established a successful import and wholesale
business in Ireland alongside the world’s first Duty Free outlet which expanded
the retail cigar business into London.
He developed numerous brands including Punch Nectares,
Bolivar Amado, Hoyo Royal Hunt and La Corona Policromia, and established the
Astor Tobacco Company.
His enterprising nature also saw Freddie acquire and develop
a successful import and wholesale business in the Channel Islands; and he
oversaw the origin of the business’s entry into the property markets,
developing several high profile office buildings in St Helier, Jersey including
Sir Walter Raleigh House on the Esplanade.
Freddie Fox died in 1990. He is still sorely missed by his
family, friends and colleagues from the cigar industry.
Were he to be asked to comment on his career achievements,
he might say :
“Not bad for a beginner.”
We would agree.
THE FREDDIE FOX MUSEUM
During our many years of trading at 19 St James's Street, we
have collected a vast array of historic pieces and memorabilia. We chose to
dedicate our museum space to the late and great Freddie Fox. The Museum is
located in the basement of our flagship store and is open Monday to Saturday
during the store's opening hours.
Please take the time to have a look at some of our pieces
displayed here and the many more visible in the museum.
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