AMERICAN LEAF - Clip #2

Witness the last American tobacco harvest.

The most comprehensive documentary about tobacco farming ever produced.

This clip includes a look at the extinct tobacco auction system and some of the most famous auctioneers of all time. Brought to life through government photos at the Library of Congress, classic cigarette advertisements, and rare footage from the archives of Lucky Strike, this enigmatic American subculture cannot be forgotten.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• tobacco
• farming
• America
• history
• smoking
• Lucky
• Strike
• North
• Carolina
• Tennessee
• auction
• Riggs
• cigarette
• Washington
• Duke

[roofman123]

Im from north of Danville, VA, and we grew flue cured K-326 variety.

Where could one find a recording of "Smoky" Joe Burnette? Ive searched the net but cant find one. I miss the auctions like crazy. I miss the whole way of life.

Thanks for posting this.

[gabeproctor]

Thanks for your interest in my videos. You may be able to obtain a copy of Joe Burnette chanting from the Duke Homestead Museum in Durham, NC. That's who provided the auctioneer audio you hear in this video clip.

I am still editing this documentary film and will offer a full-length version at some point in the future. Please stay tuned... In the meantime you can view the other two clips from this documentary posted to YouTube.

[jackrun666]

wow dude i came across this video through the old camel video lol i didnt expect to learn so much thank you for this interesting information

[gabeproctor]

Cool man. Thanks for the nice words. Check out my other vids...

[fromthesidelines]

The other tobacco auctioneer who delivered the "chants" for American Tobacco on their Lucky Strike radio shows was F.E. Boone, who had a "drier delivery" than Riggs.

[gabeproctor]

Although Lee Aubrey "Speed" Riggs (Goldsboro, NC) was more recognizable as the voice of Lucky Strike radio programming from the 1940s until the Congress banned electronic advertising of tobacco in 1969, the chanting style of F.E. Boone (Lexington, KY) was also a major part of Lucky Strike's "Your Hit Parade" broadcasts throughout the 1940s.

Thanks for posting a comment. - GP

[fromthesidelines]

You're welcome, 'gabe'. I've heard various recordings of the shows Riggs and Boone appeared on for Lucky Strike, and know the difference in their deliveries. Riggs even appeared in TV ads for Lucky Strike Filters in the mid-'60s...

[stockerfarmer]

This is a great video! Is this just on youtube or is it a real movie/docmentory?

[thanos57]

I need to find some recordings of my grandfather Les Alphin. He worked out of Winston-Salem. Any help would be great.

Thanks for the video.

[thanos57]

My grandfather was an tobacco auctioneer from Winston-Salem. His name was Leslie Alphin and was on the radio all the time. If anyone has any recordings up Leslie, please let me know.

[DoubleDutchBust]

Between us

Lawyers made hells of bunches

$ alright-Ok.

[DoubleDutchBust]

Auction

MississippilihPMorris

MorrisSeanKalieleilak

MississippilihPMorris

Auctions

Tobacco been around forever-So be wise.

Make wise decisions&Signed:Jr.WhiteOwl

Ok-Ok

[Juliaflo]

i remember seeing Mr. Riggs in those Lucky Strike Filters commercials at that time, and heard him re-create his signature auction.  (Now, don't try to figure out my age, LOL).

[scooterM1999]

gabe-love these video clips. I am an auctioneer from Indiana. I love to listen and learn from all auctioneers. I was wondering if there is anyway to get a hold of any of these recordings or any others of tobacco auctioneers. Always love to hear that style, this far north not many auctioneers have that infulence. If you have any information on where to get a hold of them, it would be appreciated. Also do you know if there is any recordings of the toabcco auctioneering contest sponseed by RJR?

[TwiggsRiggs]

I am Speed Riggs' great nephew. His brother was my grandfather. If anyone has any more videos or recordings of Aubrey, please let me know. Thanks.