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Joseph and Sinclair Jacobs Papers

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS222

Scope and Contents of the Records

The majority of this collection documents the professional activities of Dr. Joseph Jacobs, and his son Sinclair Jacobs as proprietors of Jacobs' Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia. Among the official records of Jacobs' Pharmacy are samples of labels for products, a notebook and loose papers containing formulae for medicines and cosmetics, product catalogs, copies of Jacob's Monthly Magazine, and official correspondence. The collection also contains personal items of Joseph and Sinclair Jacobs, including professional journals such as Drug Topics, and the American Journal of Pharmacy. Also included are newspaper clippings, and speeches and writings authored by Joseph Jacobs on the subjects of Crawford Long, the Coca-Cola Company, the Pharmaceutical Museum at Nuremberg, and medical drugs used during the Civil War.

Dates

  • 1878-1977, undated

Creator

Restrictions on Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.

Administrative History

Dr. Joseph Jacobs (1859-1929) was an influential Atlanta pharmacist and entrepreneur. Jacobs was raised in Jefferson, Georgia, but his family later moved to Athens where at the age of 13, Jacobs began an apprenticeship with Dr. Crawford Long in the Long and Billups pharmacy. Encouraged by Dr. Long to continue his studies, Jacobs enrolled in chemistry courses at the University of Georgia and graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After graduation he established his own pharmaceutical business in Athens in 1879 called “Jacobs’ Pharmaceutical Laboratory.” In 1884 Jacobs moved to Atlanta and began Jacobs’ Pharmacy Company, a drug merchandising business that expanded into 16 stores. Jacobs’ Pharmacy, located in the Five Points section of downtown Atlanta was the first drug store to serve Coca Cola by the glass at its profitable soda fountain. Jacobs also introduced the “cut-rate” plan of merchandising (i.e., selling merchandise for pennies less than suggested retail prices). Dr. Jacobs had a son, Sinclair Jacobs (1889-1977) who joined his father’s company in 1909 and became its president in 1929. Other genealogical information regarding Jacobs’ immediate family has not been determined.

Extent

1 linear ft.

Language

English

Arrangement of the Papers

This collection is arranged in two subgroups (1) Records of Jacobs’ Pharmacy (2) Personal Papers of Joseph and Sinclair Jacobs. Folders are arranged alphabetically by subject in each subgroup.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Sinclair Jacobs, Jr., 1977 (1977.13)

General Physical Description note

Extent: 1 cubic foot (2 document cases)

Processing Information

Processed in 2007

Title
Joseph and Sinclair Jacobs Papers ahc.MSS 222ahc.MSS 222
Subtitle
An Inventory of Their Papers at the Kenan Research Center of the Atlanta History Center
Author
Inventory prepared by Helen Matthews
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040