This was the largest ever single consignment of tobacco to leave Kentucky for England. It departed on a 24-wagon train under the supervision of Joseph Barber and his son John.

In this picture we have the founder, Joseph Barber on the left and his son Fred on the right. This shop burnt down in 1935 and the burnt out shell was sold to F.W. Woolworth for £10,000 The shop was relocated a few doors down and still stands on the same street today. You will notice some graffiti on the right of the shop window that looks like some kind of jellyfish. This is thought to be a drawing of Joseph, depicting his large moustache. And people think graffiti is something new!!

The business is now run by James Barber who inherited the shop from his father, Jack. Jack spent over fifty years in the business up to his death in 1984. Four generations of expertise in the UK tobacco and cigar industry makes Barbers one of the Country's leading specialists.