Oral History Interview with Edward Stephenson, September 21, 2002. Interview R-0193. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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Abstract
Edward Stephenson, the son of a tobacco auctioneer, followed his father into the business, perfecting his auctioneer's chant and learning the complex mechanics of the profession. From his position on the auction block, Stephenson has observed changes in the tobacco business; he describes those changes, as well as the details of his profession, in this interview. For researchers interested in how tobacco auctions work, Stephenson describes the process and the network of relationships between buyers, sellers, warehouse operators, and auctioneers. Toward the end of the interview, he conducts a mock auction. For those interested in the tobacco industry, Stephenson notes the decline of the industry over the past two decades, exemplified by the quelling of the once-lively atmosphere and the mounting demands that keep farmers from attending auctions at all, let alone bringing their family along. Stephenson describes the consolidation of an industry that thrived on personal contact, and the way in which his own job—an exercise in bridging personal relationships—has been affected by set prices and changes in the agricultural economy. Stephenson fears that he may be among the last of his kind, but he hopes that tobacco auctions will somehow endure.
Excerpts
Tobacco auctioneering is a family tradition
The qualities of a good auctioneer
Tobacco auctioneer worked his way up to his position
Maintaining rhythm is a key element of a tobacco auctioneer's job
The decline of the tobacco auction
Need to cultivate relationships on the tobacco warehouse floor
A changing tobacco industry's effects on tobacco auctions
Effects of fixed prices and consolidation on tobacco auctions
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