Sullivan's Cigar Manufacturing
While re-reading Bruce Healds' "Boats & Ports of Winnipesaukee vol. 2" recently I came across a reference to speed boat sponsors, specifically Archie Gulliford of "724 Cigar fame in Manchester".
The first time I read the book a few years ago this picture had no connection for me. However this summer while diving in the Connecticut River in the Bellows Falls area south of the dam I found a 1 foot x 3 foot terrific old ceramic-on-metal sign advertising the "7-20-4" cigars. Research indicates that at one time they sold millions of cigars a year, world-wide. It is a fantastic sign now on the wall in my garage. I estimate it is from the 1920's.
That same day we found two 3,500 lb grinding stones nearby in shallow water. My friend Annette Spaulding convinced a local excavator operator to bring his machine (working nearby) to the edge of the river and grab them both, so he did. Wild stuff.
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