A.H. Robins Company

Need assistance with a finding aid or guide?  Contact our reference librarians.

A Guide to the A. H. Robins Company Records, 1885–2004.

Call Number Mss3 R5535 a FA2

Processed by Laura E. G. Stoner under a grant from the Robins Foundation
© 2008 By the Virginia Historical Society. All rights reserved.

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

A. H. Robins Company Records, 1885–2004 (Mss3 R5535 a FA2), Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Va.

Acquisition Information

Gift of the family of E. Claiborne Robins through the courtesy of the Robins Foundation, Richmond, Va. in 1999. Accessioned 3 July 2008.

 

Descriptive Summary

Collection Number:

Mss3 R5535 a FA2

Collection Name:

A. H. Robins Company Records, 1885–2004.

Size:

8.400 (ca.) items.

Language:

English

Abstract:

Corporate, advertising, and historical materials relating to the pharmaceutical company A. H. Robins, Richmond, Va.

 

Scope and Content Information

The A. H. Robins Company records were collected and donated to the Virginia Historical Society ten years after this highly successful pharmaceutical firm was sold and the Robins family relinquished control. The circumstances surrounding the assembling of the collection have led to an eclectic group of records, consisting of corporate materials dating from ca. 1885 to 1944; a product information section of both A. H. Robins and subsidiary products; a publications series; a photograph series; a series of scrapbooks that date from 1949–1983; personal materials of E. Claiborne Robins, including information about his donations through the Robins Foundation to the University of Richmond; Robins family personal papers, which include degrees received by Claiborne Robins, Lora (McGlasson) Robins, and Martha (Taylor) Robins; and audio visual materials, including reels of motion picture film, video tapes, and audio tapes. There are no files pertaining to Dalkon Shield ligation in this collection.

In conjunction with the processing of this collection, an oral history project was undertaken to document the experiences of A. H. Robins employees at all levels. The resulting interviews reflect the impact of the company's corporate culture on the lives of its employees. These interviews are available in transcribed form.

Many former employees donated items while participating in the society's A. H. Robins oral history project; some of these items have been incorporated into the collection, while others of a more personal nature have been cataloged independently.

 

Biographical/Historical Information

The A. H. Robins Company was founded by Claiborne Robins (1873–1912) as an "ethical" pharmaceutical enterprise. Ethical pharmacy sales are made only to doctors, dentists, hospitals, and pharmacies. The company was an offshoot of the A. H. Robins Apothecary started in 1866 by Albert Hartley Robins (1842–1935), Claiborne Robins's father. The original apothecary was located at 523 North Second Street in Richmond, Va., and later moved to 200 East Marshall Street. Claiborne Robins, who unlike his father graduated from pharmacy school, formed a separate business selling his father's medications directly to doctors. The father and son kept separate books for their companies.

While building his pharmaceutical company, Claiborne Robins died in 1912 at the age of 39, leaving a widow and his two-year-old son as heirs. Martha (Taylor) Robins (ca. 1883–1957) was the head of the company until her son, E. Claiborne Robins (1910–1995), took over the business as president in 1936. The original apothecary was closed in 1929 because of Albert Hartley Robins’s deteriorating health.

E. Claiborne Robins is credited with bringing A. H. Robins to its national and international prominence. His mother kept the company afloat twenty-one years for her son, but was unable to increase its size and customer base. When E. Claiborne Robins graduated from pharmacy school in 1933, the A. H. Robins Company had three employees, including Martha (Taylor) Robins. During his administration, Robins was able to hire salesmen, develop new drugs and production facilities, acquire subsidiary companies, and expand into international markets.

E. Claiborne Robins started in his family's business as a salesman. He met his future wife while traveling through Texas selling his pharmaceutical products. Lora Elizabeth McGlasson (b. 1912) and E. Claiborne were married in 1938 in Waco, Texas. Lora worked alongside her husband to help his company grow. After her mother-in-law retired in 1946, Lora became the company's secretary. Although the first decade of E. Claiborne's tenure had its share of obstacles, by 1942 the company finally reached the $100,000 profit mark. In the early 1940s Robins was able to stop traveling as a salesman and hire others to sell his products. By this point the company had grown to twenty employees. In 1949 the company introduced three popular products, Robitussin, an antitussive-expectorant; Pabalate, an antirheumatic; and Entozyme a digestant. The sale of these three products doubled the profits of the company in one year. In 1953 A. H. Robins opened its first manufacturing plant, and also moved the company headquarters to a new location on Cummings Drive in Richmond, Virginia.

Robins decided to step into the realm of research when he hired Dr. Eugene Jackson from Emory University in 1945 to be medical director. In 1948 the A. H. Robins Company employed its first researcher, Dr. Bob Murphey. Dr. Murphey worked initially at labs rented from the University of Richmond, until the new headquarters were built in 1953. He developed Robaxin, which was the first product patented by A. H. Robins. The company's first licensed product, in 1956, was Dimetane.

The overall strategy of the company was to concentrate on common illnesses and conditions that would create a large demand for lower end prescriptions, resulting in an extremely profitable margin. Other pharmaceutical companies had too many products on the market at one time and could not compete with Robins' emphasis on a few products. By 1959 A. H. Robins sales were over thirty-three million dollars.

A. H. Robins expanded internationally when the company began exporting items to Puerto Rico in 1946; from there sales extended to Mexico, Columbia, Venezuela and South America generally. In 1965 George Thomas was hired as the director of international development. He moved the sales of A. H. Robins products into more than one hundred countries while the company and acquired fifteen subsidiaries in foreign countries.

In 1963 the company's profits reached a major milestone at fifty million dollars, and A. H. Robins began to acquire other companies like Morton Manufacturing Corporation, which made Chap Stick. The purchase made the company more diversified and gave it interests outside of the increasingly government-regulated pharmaceutical field. A public offering of stock was also made in 1963, and the company began to set aside discount stock for its employees. In 1965 the company purchased Labratorios Ergos and Productos Medicinales in Venezuela. Swinson Foods, Laboratories Martinet, Paris, and Laboratorios Wadel, Brazil, were all acquired in 1966. That same year, E. Claiborne Robins, Jr. (b. 1943), became the fourth generation of Robinses to answer the call when he joined the company.

Another significant milestone was reached in 1967 when A. H. Robins achieved net sales of one hundred million dollars. E. Claiborne Robins reiterated his concern, "excessive government regulation and investigation" in the 1967 Annual Report. That same year the company bought the Polk Miller Corporation, headquartered in Richmond, Va., which produced pet care products, as well as Parfums Caron, a French company. The following year, A. H. Robins combined the Polk Miller Corporation and the Morton Manufacturing Corporation into the Miller-Morton subsidiary. This helped expand the company's product line beyond pharmaceuticals, creating an even more diversified and less regulated product base.

In 1970 E. Claiborne Robins, who had been working at a hectic pace since he started with the company, became the chairman of the board and handed the presidential duties to company officer William L. Zimmer. At that time, 69 percent of A. H. Robins sales was produced by ethical pharmaceutical products, and the remaining percentage was provided by consumer products. Taking a step that would have a dramatic influence on its future, the company purchased the rights to the Dalkon Shield, an intrauterine contraceptive device, for seven hundred fifty thousand dollars and 10 percent of sales. The device, which entered the market in late 1969, was invented by Dr. Hugh J. Davis of Johns Hopkins University in 1968. The Shield's innovative design ultimately led to its downfall, when users reported problems. But in 1971, the promising success of Dalkon Shield sales were noted in the Annual Report and the future looked bright.

Also in 1970, E. Claiborne Robins, Jr. , who was being groomed to take over the company, was promoted to assistant vice president in the pharmaceutical division, and elected to the board of directors of the company. E. Claiborne Robins suffered a heart attack in 1972, further reducing his involvement leading the everyday tasks of the company.

A. H. Robins reached the two hundred million dollar sales mark in 1974, doubling its sales in roughly seven years. However, dark clouds were starting to gather on the horizon. Upon recommendation from the Food and Drug Administration, the company suspended domestic distribution and sale of the Dalkon Shield, citing reports of problems with the product.

In 1975 A. H. Robins took a new direction. E. Claiborne Robins stepped down as CEO and William L. Zimmer replaced him, marking the first time in A. H. Robins history that a non-family member headed the company. However also, by 1975 the lawsuits from users of the Dalkon Shield began mounting against the company.

William L. Zimmer retired in 1978 and E. Claiborne Robins, Jr., replaced him as CEO. That same year Robitussin was reported to be the, "number one seller among cough preparations in pharmacies," and the company remained ranked fifth among U. S. pharmaceutical manufacturers. Despite the company's profitability, earning over 350 million dollars in net sales during 1978, the Dalkon Shield litigation continued to mount.

In response to the financial strain of settling Dalkon Shield litigation, the company restructured, hoping to increase profitability. In the Annual Report for 1981 the company and its insurer estimated that they had paid out 98 million dollars in closed and pending Dalkon Shield cases. However, throughout the 1980s the number of Dalkon Shield claims continued to grow. In 1984 the company reported its first negative net earnings, a loss of 461 million dollars.

This loss can be attributed in large measure to the creation of a reserve fund of almost 500 million dollars for the future settlement of Dalkon Shield claims. As a result of the massive losses and litigation, the company did not pay its stockholders a dividend for the first time in its history. Despite a positive net earnings report the next year, the financial status of the company required it to file for bankruptcy protection. Net sales stood at an all time high and net earnings increased in 1986, but the company had to dispose of three subsidiaries. American Home Products made its first offer for A. H. Robins at this time, but withdrew it in early 1987.

In 1987 the company estimated that $2.475 billion was, "the total value of all claims and related expenses of administration" for the Dalkon Shield litigation. American Home Products made a second offer for A. H. Robins in 1987, but a bidding war ensued between Rorer Group, Inc., and a French firm Sanofi. After initially accepting Rorer Group's offer, A. H. Robins rescinded the agreement, and in January 1988 the company eventually accepted American Home Products offer, which took effect in 1989. Because A. H. Robins had initially accepted Rorer Group's purchase offer, the company was fined almost thirty million dollars by the court.

American Home Products became Wyeth in 2002. The former A. H. Robins Company is now part of Wyeth's Consumer Healthcare Division, which currently operates a plant in the old Robins headquarters complex in North Richmond.

Throughout the company's history, E. Claiborne Robins and his family have prided themselves in rewarding employee loyalty. In 1951, Robins began closing the company to enable for all-expense-paid employee vacations. These trips came to an end when U.S. Sen. Estes Kefauver (D-Tenn.) and his Anti-Trust and Monopoly Subcommittee held hearings on the pharmaceutical industry specifically aimed at showing how industry giants raked in immense profits at the expense of the American consumer. However, at Robins, employee perks continued, albeit on a lesser scale. In addition to free coffee, employees received bonus checks on birthdays and at Christmas, and Friday afternoons off during the summer. Mr. Robins always felt the company gained incalculable value from treating the employees as he would want to be treated himself.

The growth and success of the company also allowed E. Claiborne Robins, his wife, Lora Robins, and their family to be extremely generous to the state of Virginia and to the city of Richmond. The University of Richmond received over $170 million from the Robins family during Mr. Robins's lifetime, including a fifty-million dollar gift in 1969. Numerous Richmond institutions have been beneficiaries of the generosity of the Robins family and their foundation. Institutions including the Richmond SPCA, Virginia Union University, the American Red Cross, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens and the Virginia Historical Society have all received generous contributions.

 

Index Terms

A. H. Robins Company -- History.
Business enterprises -- Virginia -- Richmond -- History -- 20th century.
Corporate culture – United States – History – 20th century.
Family-owned business enterprises – Virginia – Richmond.
Oral history.
Pharmaceutical industry -- Virginia -- Richmond -- History.
Pharmacists -- Virginia -- Richmond -- History.
Philanthropists -- Virginia -- Richmond.
Richmond (Va.) – Economic conditions.
Robins, Albert Hartley, 1842–1935.
Robins, Claiborne, 1873–1912.
Robins, E. Claiborne (Edwin Claiborne), 1910–1995.
Robins, E. Claiborne, Jr.
Robins, E. Claiborne, Mrs.
Robins family.
Robins Foundation.
Robins, Martha Elizabeth Taylor, ca. 1883–1957.
Scrapbooks.

 

Guide

Series 1. Corporate Materials, 1885–1944.

The Board of Director's minutes of the A.H Robins Co., Inc., pertain to a precursor of the company that is represented in this collection. The minutes begin in 1936 after E. Claiborne Robins took control of the company and stop with the dissolution of that company in 1 October 1944 (folder 1). It is interesting to note that the business agreement between E. Claiborne Robins and his mother dates from the same week as the dissolution of the earlier company. This agreement formalized E. Claiborne Robins's leadership of A. H. Robins, but the agreement did little to change the structure or operations of the company. The two companies are in effect the same, but after 1944 the company was run as a partnership between E. Claiborne and his mother until she retired. Also, related to the earlier company are financial materials (folders 2–16), bound and loose prescriptions (folders 17–18), promotional materials, including product promotion materials and, postcards and letters that were received from doctors and pharmacists requesting samples of company products (folders 19–35). The postcards are arranged chronologically and the letters are roughly organized alphabetically. Series 1.2 relates to the reorganized A. H. Robins Company and includes the legal agreement between Martha (Taylor) Robins and E. Claiborne Robins forming the reorganized A. H. Robins Company (folder 36), presentations, stock offerings, travel material relating to trips sponsored by the A. H. Robins Company for employees, trips sponsored by employees for Mr. and Mrs. Robins, and travel by the Robins family to international subsidiaries; files regarding the Western Hemisphere Conference sponsored by A. H. Robins Company (folders 50–54); and miscellaneous historical materials collected from employees to create an archive. Many of the historical materials were collected from Robins foreign subsidiaries. Other items include pay stubs, prescription samples, and price lists (folders 55–63).

Series 1.1. A. H. Robins Company (ca. 1885–1944).

Board of Directors minutes, 1936–1944

Box 1

Folder

1

Minutes, 1936 April 17–1944 October 6                                 

Financial materials, 1925–1940

Folder

2–11

Bills, Alphabetical (10 folders)

 

12

Contracts Ledger, 1925 May–1936 May

 

13

Sales Ledger, 1940 April–1943 May

 

14

Taxes and Licenses, 1938–1940

 

15

Time Book, 1937

 

16

Traveling Expenses, E. Claiborne Robins, 1937 January–April

Prescriptions, 1885–1910

Folder       

17

Prescriptions, Bound, 1909–1910 (See Oversized Book located after box 1 on shelf)           

 

18

Prescriptions, Loose, 1885–1889

Promotional materials, ca. 1912–1935

Folder    

19–31

Sample Requests, Correspondence, Domestic (13 folders)

 

32

Sample Requests, Correspondence, International

 

33

Sample Requests, Miscellaneous Lists

 

34–35

Sample Requests, Postcards, 1912–1919, 1921, 1923–1924 & 1935 (2 folders)

Series 1.2. A. H. Robins Company (1944–1989)

Legal, 1944–1999

Box 2

Folder                   

36a

Partnership agreement between E. C. Robins and M. E. Robins to operate a pharmaceutical specialties business under the trade name and style of : A. H. Robins Company, 1944 October 1

 

36b–d

Consummation of Sixth Amended and Restated Plan of Reorganization, Agreement of Plan of Merger, 1989 December 15, Volumes I–III

Presentations, 1977–1980

Folder    

37

1977 February 25, William L. Zimmer, III, to New York Society of Security Analysts

 

38

1980 April 29, E. Claiborne Robins, Jr., to Stockholders

 

39

1980 October 7, E. Claiborne Robins, Jr., concerning Puerto Rican groundbreaking

Stocks, 1963–1972

Box 3

Folder 

40

1963, Common Stock Offering (425,000 Shares)                              

 

41

1965 March 18, SEC Amendment Registration Statement

 

42

1968 April 3, Common Stock Offering (320,000 Shares)

 

43

1972 March 28, Common Stock Offering (750,000 shares)

Time book, 1953–1955

Folder

44

Time Book, 1953–1955                                                            

Travel, 1950s–1978

Folder           

45

A. H. Robins-sponsored trips, ca. 1950s

 

46

Elkins Sinn trip to Richmond, 1977 March (SEE also oversized flat file folder 1)

 

47

Horsham, England, Laboratories, 1978 (Scrapbook)

 

48

Martinet Laboratories, France, 1978 (Scrapbook)

 

49

Wadel Laboratories, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, 1967 April 22–28 (Scrapbook) [see also Series 8 for film of the trip]

Western Hemisphere Conference of the World Medical Association, 1953 April 21–25

Folder         

50

Letters of Appreciation, Guests and Participants

 

51

Letters of Appreciation, Guests of Honor

 

52

Letters from Governors (alphabetized by state)

 

53

Photographs

 

54

The Scarab, "New Robins Plant Dedication During World Medical Association Meeting Here," 1953 May

Miscellaneous, 1944–1997

Folder            

55

A. H. Robins, Archival Research, 1986

 

56

A. H. Robins, Awards (SEE also oversized flat file folder 1)

 

57

A. H. Robins, Company Organizational Chart, 1980–1997

 

58

E. Claiborne Robins, Business card

 

59

E. F. Heffner, Head Sales Representative, notebook, 1949–1965

 

60

Elkins Sinn, Inc., Employees, Home Addresses

 

61

Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers International Union, Annual Report of American Home Products Corporation, 1990

 

62

Personal Records Form (blank)

 

63

A. H. Robins Co., Inc., Research Center Dedication, Guest Book, 1963 February 26

Series 2. Product Information.

This series contains photos and product information (i.e., ingredient interactions, side effects) for medications and merchandise produced by A. H. Robins and subsidiary companies. Arranged alphabetically by product name. See also Series 4, Photographs, for additional images.

Series 2.1. A. H. Robins Company Products.

Box 4

Folder 

64

Adabee                                                                                    

 

65

Albee

 

66

Ambar

 

67

Arthraglen

 

68

Bansect Dog Collar

 

69

Bio-Burs-W

 

70

Biron

 

71

Bursal Disease Test Kit

 

72

Campetrodin

 

73

Cascara (Mild)

 

74

Chapstick

 

75

Dalkon Foam

 

76

Dalkon Shield (includes sample)

 

77

Diban Tablets

 

78

Dimacol

 

79

Dimetane

 

80

Dimetapp

 

81

Donnagel

 

82

Donnagesic

 

83

Donnalate

 

84

Donnasep-MP

 

85

Donnatal

 

86

Donnazyme

 

87

Dopram-V

 

88

Exna

 

89

Guanfacine

 

90

Heparin

 

91

Hydroxyzine

 

92

Imavate

 

93

Lip Quenchers

 

94

Mephate

 

95

Pabalate

 

96

Phenaphen

 

97

Pondimin

 

98

Quinidex

 

99

Reglan

 

100

Repoise

 

101

Robalate

 

102

Robamox

 

103

Robanul (also known as Robinul)

 

104

Robaxin and Robaxin-V

 

105

Robaxisal

 

106

Robicillin

 

107

Robimycin

 

108

Robitet

 

109

Robitussin

 

110

Robizone

 

111

Sedobarb

 

112

Silain Gel

 

113

Skelaxin

 

114

Sulla

 

115

Tybatran

 

116

Z-bec

Series 2.2. Subsidiary Companies.

Folder 

117

Babcock Industries                                                                  

 

118–:9

Caron Parfums

 

120

Elkins-Sinn, Inc.

 

121–2

Miller Morton Company (2 folders)

 

123

Quinto Instruments Company

 

124

Viobin Corporation (SEE also oversized flat file folder 1)

Series 2.3. International and Grouped Products.

Folder 

125

Grouped Products (SEE also oversized flat file folder 1)           

 

126

International Products (SEE also oversized flat file folder 1)

Series 3. Publications, 1920–1993.

This series includes A. H. Robins-produced annual reports, employee newsletters, and "Robins Readers." The employee newsletter series documents A. H. Robins' concern for the welfare of employees; unfortunately, the set is incomplete. The newsletter production section regards the publication of 'Round Robins International, and contains photos and topics to be used for articles. These files are the main source in this collection for information about the foreign subsidiaries. The Robins Reader was sent to doctors for use in their waiting rooms. It was meant to be a promotional tool for doctors and patients. The advertising section contains both domestic and foreign subsidiary advertisements. The Bowl of Hygeia concerns an award given to pharmacists annually for community service. Ethical advertising is directed towards the medical industry, those who are involved in prescribing of medicine: veterinarians, doctors and pharmacists. Informational publications include company histories and pamphlets printed for visitors to A. H. Robins' Richmond headquarters. Personnel directories illustrate the camaraderie of the Robins employees, who in early directories were identified by a photo and birthdate along with their names and departments. The Product information files are printed charts and pamphlets for sales people to use to illustrate the products and prices of A. H. Robins medicines to pharmacists and doctors.

Series 3.1. A. H. Robins Company Publications.

Advertising

Box 5

Folder                    

127

A. H. Robins print ads ca. 1920s                                                                                                                                                                 

 

128

"A. H. Robins Today," USA Today, 1985 May 7

 

129

Martinet Laboratories materials, subsidiary

 

130

Doctor of Tomorrow ad campaign, n.d.

 

131

Sanicol materials, subsidiary

 

132

Sargent product ads, 1929, 1931, 1957

 

133

"Somewhere out there are over 4 million almost-empty Robitussin bottles," Virginia Pharmacist, 1967 January

 

134

"Surgical Instruments and Appliances," Richmond Police Department Illustrated, 1901 ([reprinted] SEE oversized flat file folder 1)

Annual reports

Folder

135–140

A. H. Robins, 1963–1988 (6 folders)                                              

 

141

A. H. Robins Annual Report, 1981 (Draft)

Bowl of Hygeia

Folder            

142

Bowl of Hygeia as a Pharmaceutical Symbol, The American Insititute for the History of Pharmacy, n.d.                 

 

143

Captions, 1978

 

144

News Release, 1957

 

145

News Release, 1980

 

146

Sign, "A. H. Robins welcomes Bowl of Hygeia Recipients to Plant C," 1990 October 8

Ethical Advertising

The audience targeted for ethical advertising were members of the medical field who were involved in the prescribing of medicines. That included doctors, pharmacists, and veterinarians.

Folder

147

Allbee with C                                                                         

 

148

Dalkon Shield

 

149

Dimacol

 

150

Dimetane

 

151

Dimetapp

 

152

Dis-Co Unit Dose Packs

 

153

Donnagel

 

154

Dopram

 

155

Donnazyme and Entozyme

 

156

Elanone-V

 

157

Pabalate

 

158

Phenaphen with Codeine

 

159

Pondimin

 

160

Quinidex Extentabs

 

161

Robamox

 

162

Robaxin and Robaxin-V

 

163

Robaxisal-PH

 

164

Robicillin-VK

 

165

Robimycin

 

166

Robinul

 

167

Robitet

 

168

Robitussin

 

169

Viokase-V

 

170

Z-bec

 

171

Miscellaneous

Informational publications

The Robins family does not distinguish between the start of Albert H. Robins apothecary and the start of A. H. Robins company, they are lumped together. A number of the informational publications mention the start of the apothecary/company as 1878. This date was believed to be the start of the company until 1978, when research proved that the original apothecary was started by E. Claiborne Robins's grandfather in 1866.

Folder           

172

1866 A. H. Robins 1978, company history booklet                                                                                  

 

173

A. H. Robins, 1979–1980

 

174

A. H. Robins, headquarters tour pamphlet, 1981–1985

 

175

A. H. Robins: Key Facts, 1981–1988

 

176

"A. H. Robins Pharmaceutical Production Plant: Key Facts"

 

177

"An Expanded Commitment to Health Care: American Home Products Acquires A. H. Robins"

 

178

Company History, Unpublished, Roscoe E. Puckett, Jr., 1977

 

179

Ethical Pharmaceuticals of Merit Since 1878, 1955

 

180

"Highlights of the Sixties," A. H. Robins Co., 1970 January

 

181

Pharmaceutical Research 1878, n.d.

 

182

Press Releases, A. H. Robins Co., Inc., and subsidiaries, 1967–1978

 

183

Robins, n.d. (SEE oversized flat file folder 1)

 

184

Welcome to A. H. Robins, pamphlets, n.d.

Newsletters

Newsletters from companies acquired by A. H. Robins are included, as well as company newsletters from after A. H. Robins was acquired by American Home Products. Incomplete loose runs of "'Round Robins" and "'Round Robins International" are supplemented by oversized volumes of bound copies. Within the folders of the loose newsletters are sheets denoting in which volume one can find missing issues. The bound volumes can be found on the open shelf next to box 5.

Box 6

Folder            

185

A. H. Robins, "'Robins Newsletter," 1972–1992 (incomplete run)                                                                           

 

186–96

A. H. Robins, "'Round Robins," 1952–1990 (11 folders and 20 bound volumes [incomplete run])

 

197–98

A. H. Robins, "'Round Robins International," 1972–1989 (2 folders and 5 bound volumes [incomplete run])

Box 7

Folder         

199

Elkins Sinn, "ESI Hotline," 1977–1979 (incomplete run)

 

200–4

Miller Morton, "News and Views," 1972–1981 (5 folders)

 

205

Quinton, "Vital Signs," 1989–1991 (incomplete run)

 

206

Sherwood Medical, "Reporter: For the People of Sherwood Medical," 1990 (incomplete run)

 

207

Whitehall-Robins, "Counterpoint: Whitehall-Robins Healthcare," 1990–1996 (incomplete run)

 

208

Whitehall-Robins, "Richmond Tablet Press," 1994

 

209

Whitehall-Robins, "Whitehall Robins Newsletter," 1993–1994

Newsletter production

Box 8

Folder

210

'Round Robins International, 1972 Issue 1

 

211

'Round Robins International, 1972 Issue 2

 

212

'Round Robins International, 1972

 

213

'Round Robins International, 1973 Issue 1

 

214

'Round Robins International, 1973 Issue 2

 

215

'Round Robins International, 1973 Issue 3

 

216

'Round Robins International, 1974 Issue 1

 

217

'Round Robins International, 1974 Issue 2

 

218

'Round Robins International, 1974 Issue 9

 

219

'Round Robins International, 1975 Issue 10

 

220

'Round Robins International, 1975 Issue 11

 

221

'Round Robins International, 1976 Issue 12

 

222

'Round Robins International, 1976 Issue 13

 

223

'Round Robins International, 1977 Issue 14

 

224

'Round Robins International, 1977 Issue 15

 

225

'Round Robins International, Unused Materials

 

226

'Round Robins International, Miscellaneous

Personnel directories

Folder

227

1962 July, Robins Directory (photocopy)

 

228

1963 July, Robins Directory

 

229

1964 July, Robins Directory

 

230

1965 July, Robins Directory

 

231

1966 July, A. H. Robins Personnel Directory

 

232

1968, A. H. Robins Personnel Directory

 

233

1970, A. H. Robins Personnel Directory

 

234

1972, A. H. Robins Personnel Directory

 

235

1977, A. H. Robins Personnel Directory

 

236

1980, A. H. Robins Personnel Directory

 

237

1984, A. H. Robins Personnel Directory

 

238

1989, Corporate and Division Officers

 

239

1991, A. H. Robins Consumer Products Division

 

240

1993, Richmond, Distribution Branches and Subsidiaries (employee directory)

Policies and procedures manuals

Folder

241

Accident Prevention manual, n.d.

 

242

Employees Handbook, ca. 1975–1978

 

243

Employee Insurance Plan, April 1973

 

244

Group Dental Plan, 1981 January 1

 

245

Suggestion award manual, 1977

Posters

Folder

246

100 yr+ anniversary

 

247

"Disc-Co" (DISpensing Control) Unit Dose Packs (SEE oversized flat file folder 1)

 

248

"Here's to the Best Employees in the World," 1989 (SEE oversized flat file folder 1)

 

249

"Join Our Fun Run, Sponsored by A. H. Robins," n.d. (SEE oversized flat file folder 1)

 

250

"President's Sports Festival Mardi Gras..." 1985 (SEE oversized flat file folder 1)

 

251

"Products that are good for you..."

 

252

"A Salute to the Men & Women in the Richmond Area who Sell to Us!" n.d.

 

253

"Toss Your Hat in the Ring, Vote, President's Sports Festival," 1984 (SEE oversized flat file folder 1 )

Product and Sales Information

Box 9

Folder

254

A. H. Robins Injectables, n.d.

 

255

A. H. Robins Pharmaceuticals, 1973 January

 

256

A. H. Robins Pharmaceuticals, 1976 March

 

257

A. H. Robins Pharmaceuticals, 1982 July, 1985 February, 1987 April and 1988 May

 

258

A. H. Robins Product Identification Chart, 1969 July

 

259

A. H. Robins Products, 1930s–1989

 

260

Ethical Medicinal Specialities, n.d.

 

261

For Your Filing Cabinet: Safe Therapy, n.d.

 

262

A Manual for Medical Service Representatives

 

263

Pharmacy: Sherwood-Davis & Geck, U. S. Clinical Products, n.d.

 

264

Prescription and over the counter products, 1971–1972

 

265

Robins Drug Specialities, 1946, 1949, 1953

 

266

Robins Price Lists and Products, 1962

 

267

Robins Price List and Products, 1969

 

268

"Robins Products for which we have an NDA (new drug application)," 1971

Research Publications

Folder

269–270

A. H. Robins Research Laboratories: Patents, 1956–1969 (2 folders)

 

271

A. H. Robins Research Laboratories: Patents, 1970–1974

 

272

A. H. Robins Research Laboratories: Publications, 1952–1969

 

273

A. H. Robins Research Laboratories: Publications, 1970–1974

Robins Readers

Box 10

Folder

274-275

Robins Readers, 1954–1990 (2 folders)

Miscellaneous

Folder

276

A. H. Robins, Pharmaceutical Division Annual Meeting, Souvenir Program, 1983

 

277

A. H. Robins, Service Award Catalog, 1985

 

278

A. H. Robins, Service Awards Dinner Program, 1982

 

279

The Dentist's Daily Planner, 1970–1977

 

280

Employee Annual Report, 1977

 

281

Employee Birthday and Christmas Cards, 1976

 

282

Family Night: A Guidebook for A. H. Robins Company Personnel, 1953 April 17

 

283

HPC (Hidden Pay Check) Contest, 1963

 

284

Inter-departmental correspondence envelope, n.d.

 

285

Miscellaneous Publication Mock-Ups

 

286

Robins Christmas Party Invitation, 1965 December 23

 

287

Roll of Retirees, 1989–1990

Series 3.2. Non-A. H Robins Company Publications, 1947–1993.

These are arranged chronologically and are sometimes duplicated by the scrapbooks, which are arranged in the same manner. There are several small articles in this section that document E. Claiborne Robins's practice of taking his employees on vacation.

Folder

288

1924, Sketches of Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A., "A. H. Robins, Pharmacist, 200 East Marshall Street."

 

289

1947, Physicians' Desk Reference : to Pharmaceutical Specialties and Biologicals

 

290

1954 August, Coronet, "Richmond's Happy Host"

 

291

1955 March, Focus, "Focus Cheers: E. Claiborne Robins"

 

292

1956 April 9, Richmond News Leader, "Business and Industry: $4,200 Surprise Is Given to Robins on Anniversary"

 

293

1957 February 4, El Pais, "E. C. Robins, prominente hombre de negocios de EE. UU. nos vista" (E.C. Robins, prominent U. S. businessman, visits)

 

294

1957 November 21, Publication unknown, "Next Stop: Havana"

 

295

1959 May, Medical Times, "Robins: A Family Tradition in Pharmacy"

 

296

1960 March, The Commonwealth, "Constant Research is Enlarging Robins Heritage of Integrity"

 

297

1960 October 3, Drug Trade News, "Drug Industry News Reel"

 

298

1962 June, Virginia Pharmacist, "Robins Company Adds Two Chemists to its Quality Control Staff"

 

299

1964 August 10, Chemical & Engineering News, "The Drug Houses: Harried but Still Prosperous"

 

300

1964 August 17, Chemical & Engineering News, "The Challenge of Change in the U. S. Drug Industry"

 

301

1965, Armstrong Trap Magazine, "How to Determine the Weight of the Captain of the Queen Mary . . . or Weigh a Gaseous Product of Combustion"

 

302

1966, E. Claiborne Robins, "'Making today's medicines with integrity . . . seeking tomorrow's with persistence:' The Story of A. H. Robins Company." Includes copyright application

 

303

1966 July 6, Investor's Reader, "Production Personalities"

 

304

1967 March 31, Richmond News Leader, "Three Acquisitions: Robins set to 'Digest'"

 

305

1968, "Pharmaceutical Wholesalers Association report of the 1968 Convention"

 

306

1969 January, Nation's Business, "Treating People as Individuals"

 

307

1969 March, The Commonwealth, "The Triumph of Claiborne Robins"

 

308

1969 Spring, Business Today, "The Drug Industry: Are Profits too Healthy?"

 

309

1969 May, Industrial News Review Digest, "The Unknown Industry"

 

310

1969 May 21, Investor's Reader, "Drugs: Flu Bug Fighter Robins"

 

311

1969 June, Resident Physician, "Robins: A Family in Pharmacy"

 

312

1972 February 20, Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Welcome To Robins. It's Nice to See You."

 

313

1975 April, A Bicentennial Salute to American Cities: Richmond, "Richmond: Footprints of the Past in the March of Progress"

 

314

1979 November, Pharmaceutical Representative, "Robins Revamps Sales Structure"

 

315

1982 June, The Magazine of Virginia Commonwealth, "Corner Drugstore to Corporate Giant: A. H. Robins Hasn't Forgotten the Neighborhood." & "Dalkon Shield: The Lingering Illness."

 

316

1984 April 26, Richmond New Leader, "Robins and the Queen"

 

317

1985 June 23, Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Robins Says Firm Still a Good Citizen" and "For Firm, Dalkon Shield Only a Minor Product"

 

318

1985 June 23, Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Women Say They Lost Part of Heart, Too" and "Liability Lawsuits Have Gone Too Far, Some Say"

 

319

1985 July 22, Chemical and Engineering News (Cover only)

 

320

1986 May 13, Washington Post, "Robins Agreed to Bonuses Within Weeks of Bankruptcy"

 

321

1986 May 18, Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Robins Executives Were Told They Could Seek Bonus Money."

 

322

1986 May 18, Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Some Questions Went Unasked"

 

323

1986 June 1, Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Officials Sought Deferred Bonuses as Robins' Finances Were Declining"

 

324

1986 June 7, Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Merhige Assails 2 Robins Outlays"

 

325

1988 January 17, Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Robins-Sanofi Deal's Script Faces Scrutiny"

 

326

1989–1992, American Home Products Corporation Annual Report (no 1990–1991)

 

327

1989 December, The Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers Association: the First Thirty Years, William C. Cray.

 

328

1989 Dec 14, Richmond News Leader, "A. H Robins prepares to become part of New York company"

 

329

1992 May 30, Richmond News Leader, "It Seems Like Only Yesterday...Special Commemorative Magazine"

 

330

1993 April, Virginia Business, "The Robins Remedy"

 

331

n.d., University of Richmond Publication, "A. H. Robins Expands Plant"

 

332

n.d., Unknown Newspaper, "New Laboratory to be Constructed by A. H. Robins Co."

 

333

n.d., Unknown Newspaper, "Robins Defends Drug Industry"

Series 4. Photographs.

This section illustrates different aspects of A. H. Robins Co. events, facilities and products through photographs. See also Series 2. Product Information, for additional images.

Series 4.1. Annual Reports

Box 11

Folder

334

Annual Report Images, 1964

 

335

Annual Report Images, 1966 (SEE oversized flat file folder 2)

 

336

Annual Report Images, 1971

 

337

Annual Report Images, 1974

 

338

Annual Report Images, 1977

 

339

Annual Report Images, 1978

 

340

Annual Report Images, 1984

 

Series 4.2. Events

Folder

341

Ground breaking, Research Center, 1962

 

342

Ground breaking, Addition to Research Center, 1967

 

343

E. Claiborne Robins Fiftieth Anniversary with A. H. Robins, 1985

 

344

Miscellaneous ground breakings

 

Series 4.3. Facilities

Folder

345

Aerial view (SEE also oversized flat file folder 2)

 

346

Corporate Distribution Center

 

347

Executive Offices and Main Plant

 

348

Medical Science Building

 

349

Research Center, Building and Grounds (SEE also oversized flat file folder 2)

 

350

Shipping and Distribution (SEE also oversized flat file folder 2)

 

351

Miscellaneous (SEE also oversized flat file folder 2)

 

Series 4.4. People

Folder

352

Directors (SEE also oversized flat file folder 2)

 

353

Management, Senior

 

354

Miscellaneous Groups

 

355

Robins Family (SEE also oversized flat file folder 2)

 

356

Unidentified (SEE also oversized flat file folder 2)

Series 4.5. Production and Research

Folder

357

Production

 

358-59

Research (2 folders [SEE also oversized flat file folder 2])

Series 4.6. Subsidiaries

Folder

360

Caron Parfums

 

361

Miller Morton

Series 4.7. Miscellaneous

Folder

362

New York Stock Exchange Listing, 1965 May 6

 

363

Miscellaneous

Series 5. Scrapbooks

The A. H. Robins scrapbooks predominately deal with the documentation of the company and its employees through press clippings. The contents of the original 48 volumes have been preserved and remounted into 79 volumes. Of interest is the press coverage of The World Medical Association meeting, which took place April 21–25, 1953, in Richmond Virginia (Vols. 2a–3). The company's products and employees are also well documented through a large number of the volumes. Press surrounding the Bowl of Hygeia and Physician Award given by A. H. Robins is also represented throughout the volumes. The scrapbook volumes are located on the shelves, with the collection, following Series 4. Loose, oversized scrapbook materials are located in flat file folders 3–5 in the oversized cabinets.

Scrapbook

1

Vol. 1, 1949–1952                                                                                       

 

2–3

Vol. 2a–2b, 1952–1953

 

4

Vol. 3, 1952–1953

 

5

Vol. 4, 1954

 

6–7

Vol. 5a–5b, 1954–1955

 

8

Vol. 6, 1955

 

9

Vol. 7, 1956

 

10

Vol. 8, 1956–1957

 

11

Vol. 9, 1957

 

12–14

Vol. 10a–10c, 1959–1960

 

15

Vol. 11, 1960

 

16–19

Vol. 12a–12d, 1961–1962

 

20–22

Vol. 13a–13c,1963

 

23–24

Vol. 14a–14b, 1964

 

25–28

Vol. 15a–15d, 1965

 

29–32

Vol. 16a–16d, 1966

 

33

Vol. 17, 1966

 

34–35

Vol. 18a–18b, 1967

 

36–38

Vol. 19a–19c , 1967

 

39

Vol. 20, 1968

 

40–41

Vol. 21a–21b , 1968

 

42

Vol. 22, 1969

 

43–44

Vol. 23a–23b, 1970

 

45

Vol. 24, 1971

 

46–48

Vol. 25a–25c, 1972

 

49–50

Vol. 26a–26b, 1972

 

51

Vol. 27, 1973

 

52–53

Vol. 28a–28b, 1973

 

54

Vol. 29–30, 1974

 

55

Vol. 31–32, 1975

 

56

Vol. 33–34, 1976

 

57

Vol. 35, 1977

 

58

Vol. 36, 1977

 

59

Vol. 37, 1978

 

60

Vol. 38, 1978

 

61–62

Vol. 39a–39b, 1979

 

63–64

Vol. 40a–40b, 1979

 

65–66

Vol. 41a–41b, 1980

 

67–68

Vol. 42a–42b, 1980

 

69–71

Vol. 43a–43c, 1981

 

72–73

Vol. 44a–44b, 1981

 

74–75

Vol. 45a–45b, 1982

 

76

Vol. 46, 1982

 

77–78

Vol. 47a–47b, 1983

 

79

Vol. 48, 1983

Series 6. E. Claiborne Robins Personal Materials, 1932–2000

This series includes awards, certificates, and degrees (earned and honorary) scattered financial information, materials relating to Robins's and the Medical College of Virginia and to the University of Richmond, membership cards, items relating to Robins philanthropic activities and tributes, and miscellaneous. E. Claiborne Robins's visit to the Far East with Time magazine in 1969 is documented with photographs and invitations he received from diplomats and prominent businessmen. Also included in this series is documentation from E. C. Robins's presidency and part ownership of the "Virginians" baseball team.

 

Series 6.1. Awards

Box 12

Folder

364

Apostolic Blessing to Mr. and Mrs. E. Claiborne Robins on the Occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary, 1988 June 24 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)

 

365

B'nai B'rith Award, E. Claiborne Robins, 1982 June 3

 

366

Boy Scouts of America, Distinguished Citizen Award, E. Claiborne Robins, 1991 December 5

 

367

Business Leader of the Year Award, Richmond, Va., E. Claiborne Robins, 1969 November 17

 

368

The General Board of the Baptist General Association of Virginia Certificate of Appreciation, The E. Claiborne Robins Family, 1973 November 14 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)

 

369

Liberty Bell Award, E. Claiborne Robins, 1970

 

370

MCV Alumnus of the Year, E. Claiborne Robins, 1986 May

 

371

MCV/VCU, Outstanding Pharmacy Alumnus Award, E. Claiborne Robins, 1983 February 27

 

372

University of Richmond, Paragon Medal, E. Claiborne Robins, 1986 May 11

 

373

VCU/ MCV, Wayne Medal, E. Claiborne Robins and Lora Robins, 1978 May 13

Series 6.2. Diplomas and Certificates, Earned

Folder

374

Medical College of Virginia, School of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Science, 1933 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)

Series 6.3. Degrees and Certificates, Honorary

Folder

375

Medical College of Virginia, Degree of Doctor of Pharmaceutical Science, Honorary, 1958 June 3 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)

 

376

University of Richmond, Doctor of Laws, Honorary, 1960 June 6 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)

 

377

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Degree of Doctor of Pharmacy, Honorary, 1969 June 5 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)

 

378

Navy League of the United States, 1963 October 28 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)

 

379

University of Richmond, First Issue, The E. Claiborne Robins School of Business, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 1980 May 11 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)

 

380

Virginia Union University Doctorate Degree, Honorary, 1984 May 4

Series 6.4. Financial Information

Folder

381

Canceled check for Purchase of "Clear View," Robins' family home, 1947 (Photocopy)

 

382

Dow Theory Forecasts, Report, 1995 Feburary–June

 

383

Standard & Poor's The Outlook, Report, 1995 January–June

 

384

United Babson Investment Report, Report, 1995 January–

July

Series 6.5. Medical College of Virginia

Folder

385

Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity Membership Certificate, E. C. Robins, 1932

 

386

MCV Honorary Degree articles, 1958 June

 

387

The X-Ray, 1933, E. C. Robins's Pharmacy School Year Book

Series 6.6. Memberships

Folder

388

The Commonwealth Club, Richmond, Virginia. Membership roster, 1992 March 31

 

389

Membership cards

 

390

Navy League of the United States, Richmond Virginia Council. Membership directory, 1990

 

391

Rotary Club of Richmond, Virginia. Membership roster, 1992–1995

Series 6.7. Philanthropy

Folder

392

1958 January 6, Merrick, J., letter of thanks for contribution, to E. Claiborne Robins

 

393

1981 April 2, Richmond News Leader, "Robins is Helping VUU in Struggle for Survival"

 

394

1992 September 1, Richmond Times-Dispatch, "United Way Honors Robins"

 

395

1995 October 24, The Newsletter, River Road Church Baptist, "Church Receives Bequest"

 

396

1997–1998, Robins Foundation Report

 

397

2000 April 2, Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Profile Pitching In: Inspired by his father's largess, E. Claiborne Robins Jr. is 'simply driven to make this a better place to live'"

 

398

2004, Robins Foundation Report

Series 6.8. Tributes

Folder

399

"Memorial Service for E. Claiborne Robins, Sr.," 1995 July 10

 

400

News Central Fidelity, "We remember two who served us well," September 1995

 

401

Richmond Tablet Press, "An Expression of Appreciation," 1995 October 23

 

402

Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Philanthropist drug firm figure dies at age 84," 1995 July 7

 

403

Tabasco, "Richmond Rotary Honorary Member E. Claiborne Robins," 1995 March 14

 

404

"University of Richmond a Memorial to E. Claiborne Robins," 1995 October 5 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)

 

405

Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, Annual Report, 1995

 

406

Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges Resolution for E. Claiborne Robins, 1995 October 24

Series 6.9. University of Richmond

Folder

407

Annual Report, 1994–1995

 

408

Dedication of Robins Memorial Hall, Booklet, 1959 May 16

 

409

Endowed Chairs, Professorship, Lectureships and Book Funds, University of Richmond, 1995

 

410

Football '95 Media Guide, Tribute to E. C. Robins, 1995

 

411

Introduction of Dr. E. Bruce Heilman by E. Claiborne Robins at the Newcomen Society Dinner, 1979 September 27

 

412

The National Observer, "University of Richmond Thrives on its $50 Million Windfall," 1973 March 3

 

413

Richmond News Leader, "Unanimous Choice for Award: UR Club to Honor Robins," 1960 July 12

University of Richmond Magazine:

Folder

414

Spring 1986, Volume 48, Number 3

 

415

Spring 1994, Volume 56, Number 3

 

416

Summer1995, Volume 57, Number 4

Series 6.10. Vietnam Visit, 1969

Folder

417

Business Cards, from visit to Asia

 

418

Invitations from diplomats and businessmen to events while visiting Asia, 1969 February 24–March 7

 

419

Name tag and badge, from Rotary Club of Tokyo West

 

420

Notebook, TIME: News Tour of the Far East, South Vietnam February 24–27, Prepared by Saigon Bureau

 

421

Photograph Album of Vietnam Tour

Series 6.11. The Virginians Baseball Team, 1958

Folder

422

Newspaper articles about the Virginians, 1958

 

423

Program, The New York Chapter Baseball Writers' Association of America Dinner, 1958 January 26

 

424

Program, Third Annual Mid-Winter Baseball Dinner, 1958 January 30

Series 6.12. Miscellaneous

Folder

425

Agreement, "E. C. Robins Center for American Fine and Decorative Arts of the 18th and 19th Centuries," n.d. (Proposed)

 

426

Articles regarding E. Claiborne and Lora Robins

 

427

Biographical sketches, E. Claiborne Robins

 

428

Family photographs

 

429

Menu, Trader Vic Outrigger, Seattle, Washington, ca. 1950s

 

430

Newcomen Society, "Building Nations Bank: A Tribute to Its Past & Future," Hugh L. McColl, Jr., 1992

 

431

Pharmacist license (Inactive), E. Claiborne Robins, 1994

 

432

"Report to the Membership," Speech by E. Claiborne Robins to the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, 1953 January

Series 7. Robins family personal materials

The majority of this series is composed of diplomas, representing the educational accomplishments of Claiborne Robins (father of E. Claiborne Robins), Lora Robins (wife of E. Claiborne Robins), and Martha Robins (mother of E. Claiborne Robins). Also within Martha Robins's Series 7.4 are her bank statements, which document her financial standing just after her son, E. Claiborne Robins took over the company.

Series 7.1. Albert Hartley Robins (1842–:1935)

Folder

433a

Registered Pharmacist Certificate, 1886 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)

Series 7.2. Claiborne Robins (1873–1912)

Folder

433b

Richmond College, Proficient in Experimental Physics, 1891 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)
Richmond College, Proficient in Surveying, 1892 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)
Richmond College, Graduate in the School of Latin, 1893 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)
Richmond College, Graduate in the School of English, 1893 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)
Richmond College, Graduate in the School of Philosophy, 1894 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)
Bachelor of Arts of Richmond College, 1894 June 21 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)
University College of Medicine, Graduate of Pharmacy, 1896 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)
Registered Pharmacist Certificate, 1896 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)

Series 7.3. Lora Elizabeth (McGlasson) Robins

Folder

434

Richmond Public Schools, Diploma, Elective Course, 1958 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)
University of Richmond Citation, Distinguished Service Award, Lora McGlasson Robins, B.A., D. Hum., 1982 May 9 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)

Series 7.4. Martha Elizabeth (Taylor) Robins (ca. 1883–1957)

Folder

435

Southwestern Baptist University, Music, 1902 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)

 

436

Bank Statements and returned Checks, 1936–1942

 

437

Condolence Notes and Obituaries

Series 8. Audio Visual Materials

Visual Materials

The film collection features various aspects of the Robins's family life and their business. The films are available for viewing with advanced notice to the reference staff. The film reels in the canisters were transferred to DVD, and have been consolidated onto two discs. A third disc was made of an dicta-trans audio recording. The reels of film cannot be served to the public. Some of the films were damaged before they were transferred to DVD, and as a result have uneven focus or other visual disruptions. The first disc is mainly Robins family related. The second disc primarily concerns the A. H. Robins Company.

Disc 1 is divided into 11 chapters, the first chapter is the title page. The films in the second and third chapters are located under the title "various vacations," and feature vacations that Mr. and Mrs. Robins took together during the mid 1940s. Locations include Cuba, Niagra Falls, Lake Louise, and Vancouver, BC. A group of pharmaceutical people may be featured in the trip to Lake Louise. The primary camera person is Mrs. Lora Robins. Chapter 4, "Clearview Family, March 1949," shows the Robins family at Clearview, the family home in Richmond, Virginia in 1949 (also featured are their two dogs Prince and Princess). Chapter 5, "Hershey and 1st Parade," featured a vacation Mr. and Mrs. Robins took with Robins employee G. Mallory Freeman, the director of advertising for A. H. Robins, and his wife Mary Mills Freeman to the Hotel Hershey in Pennsylvania in 1955. Views of the Richmond Tobacco Festival parade from A. H. Robins's building on Broad Street in 1955 can be seen in chapters 5, 6, "Parade, 3rd Part;" 8, "Tobacco Parade;" and 9 (8 and 9 are the same film). In chapter 7, "New York Trip," one can see parts of an A. H. Robins Co. sponsored trip for employees to New York City in 1953. Unfortunately the film is damaged, with problems with drifting focus. Mr. and Mrs. Robins's vacation to Marineland, Cyprus Gardens, Florida is located in chapter 10, "Florida, Cyprus Gardens, Marineland." The last family movie, filmed in black and white, chapter 11, "Museum," (mislabeled when it arrived to the VHS) is of a pool party hosted by the Robins for exchange students. The party was attended by Bishop Walter F. Sullivan.

Disc 2 is divided into seven chapters, chapter one being the title page. The first two films, chapters two, and three, "Wadel Laboratories, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil," are from Mr. and Mrs. Robins's company trip to tour subsidiary Wadel Laboratories in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Wadel films are in black and white film without sound. Chapters four, "A. H. Robins Research Lab Groundbreaking, 1962," and five, "Dedication of Research Lab," show the events surrounding the ground breaking and dedication for the Research Laboratories in 1962. A ground breaking and press conference for the dedication of the building, without sound, are shown. Chapter 6, "Bowl of Hygeia," includes a film about the A. H. Robins Co. sponsored pharmacist award the Bowl of Hygeia. The film is in color and includes sound. The last film, chapter 7, "A. H. Robins Company," contains a film about the A. H. Robins Company history in color with sound. Facilities and key employees are featured in the film.

Boxes 13-14

 

Canister

1

1, reels 1–8,(8mm)

 

2

2, reels 9–12 (8mm)

 

3

Clearview Family, March 1949 (16mm)
Hershey and 1st Parade (16mm)
Parade, 3rd Part (16mm)
Conversation about company history and technology, speakers unidentified (3/4' audio)

 

4

New York Trip, 1953 (16mm)
Tobacco Parade (16mm)

 

5

Wadel Laboratories, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, 1967 April 22 (16mm)
Wadel Laboratories, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, 1967 April 22–28 (16mm)

 

6

Marine Lane, Cyprus Gardens, Florida, 1947 (16mm)

 

7

Exchange student pool party at Robins house.

 

8

A. H. Robins Research Lab Ground Breaking, 1962 March (16mm)
Robins Research Lab Building Ground Breaking, 1962 March (16mm) Does not project

 

9

Dedication of Research Lab (16mm)

 

10-11

"Bowl of Hygeia," Answer Print (16mm) 2 copies

 

12-13

"Company" A. H. Robins 11919-E and 11919-I (16mm) 2 copies
(11919-I beginning of film split and missing)

 

DVDs (conversions of films listed above)

DVD

1

Family and business films

 

2

Business films

 

3

Audio track, conversation with employee (may be Roscoe Puckett) about company's history and technology

DVDs, Video Tapes and Audio Tapes

A. H. Robins Clinical Experiences with Duramorph PH, 1985 July 31 (VHS)

A. H. Robins Fiftieth Anniversary, 1988 June 20 (Beta Master)

A. H. Robins Pharmaceutical Division Panel Chapter 11, 1985 Sept 16 (VHS) 2 copies

Dialogue on Corporate Philanthropy, E. Claiborne Robins, Dr. E. Bruce Heilman (DVD)

E. Claiborne Robins Tape, 1986 June 17 (Beta Master) (197 BCA-05)

E. Claiborne Robins Remarks 80th Birthday (Audio Tape)

Frank Mann Retirement Party, 1986 July 24 (Beta Master and VHS copy) 2 copies

Giving is Healing (Beta Master)

A Message to Employees of A. H. Robins (Master)

'Rockin Robins Picnic Lip Synch Contest, 1989

Unlabeled (Master)

Series 9. Oral Histories

The collection includes 105 interviews of A. H. Robins employees involved with the company from the early stages until it was sold. Some employees during the interview process were working for Robins's successor company Wyeth. The project was undertaken by Reynolds Business History Archivist, Mary Virginia Currie and oral historian, Katharine Randolph to document the interesting corporate culture and lives of the employees of the A. H. Robins Company. Original recordings for some transcripts were not retained.

Boxes 15-21

Folder

438

Allen, Alex W., 2005 August 31

 

439

Armstrong, Brad (Loren Bradford), 2005 August 19

 

440

Barnette, Henry Wayne, 2004 November 1

 

441

Bell, Mildred B., 2005 August 3

 

442

Berlinghoff, A. E., (Ed), 2004 November 6

 

443

Brooks, Eugene C., 2005 April 4

 

444

Brown, Joseph E., 2005 July 30

 

445

Burke, John L., 2005 January 5

 

446

Cale, Albert D. (Jack), 2005 July 6

 

447

Carneal, Ernest L., 2005 July 20

 

448

Carneal, Janice H., 2005 July 20

 

449

Carnefix, Anne H., 2005 August 8

 

450

Chambliss, Robert L., 2005 August 22

 

451

Clark, Frederick A., 2005 July 13

 

452

Clay, Clarence, 2005 January 5

 

453

Coleman, Vernelle, 2005 April 19

 

454

Collins, Richard L., 2005 January 20

 

455

Cridlin, William B., Jr., 2005 July 18

 

456

Davidson, Julia H., 2004 November 30

 

457

Dillehay, Bette H., 2005 January 28

 

458

Doutt, Patricia Ashworth, 2005 April 21

 

459

DuVal, Audrey Flood, 2005 June 23

 

460

Fielden, Marvel L., 2005 August 18

 

461

Fitzgerald, Maxine C., 2005 April 29

 

462

French, Daniel E., 2005 January 11

 

463

Freund, Jack, 2005 June 29

 

464

Frost, Edward J., 2005 January 3

 

465

Garber, Josephine L., 2005 July 1

 

466

Gilbert, Frank W., 2005 August 27

 

467

Gordon, John Chalmers, 2005 January 28

 

468

Gray, Gayle W., 2005 August 18

 

469

Green, Joseph P., 2005 August 8

 

470

Grey, Mary Dell, 2004 October 27

 

471

Hall, Howard L., 2005 July 15

 

472

Harper, Ernest E., Jr., 2005 July 1

 

473

Harrell, Doris M., 2005 August 15

 

474

Harris, Gladys M. Bailey, 2004 October 4

 

475

Hart, H. Roger, 2005 August 17

 

476

Heilman, E. Bruce (Earl Bruce), 2004 December 8

 

477

Helm, Dewitt F, Jr., 2005 July 1

 

478

Hess, Shirley R., 2005 April 20

 

479

Hodge, Betty Creggar, 2005 July 12

 

480

Hodge, Clyde R., 2005 April 11

 

481

Hogsett, Robert Andrew, 2005 July 28

 

482

Hopkins, Robert Allen, 2005 August 26

 

483

Jenkins, Philena H., 2005 April 15

 

484

Johnson, Adolph, 2005 July 5

 

485

Kaufman, Duwaine F., 2005 March 30

 

486

Kelley, Virginia C. (Jenny), 2005 August 30                                                

 

487

Kenney, Clara G., 2004 October 12

 

488

Kessler, Sidney, 2005 July 17

 

489

King, William E., 2005 September 9

 

490

Kirby, Anne W., 2004 November 4

 

491

Klotz, Joseph H., 2005 July 7

 

492

Kouten, Janet Barrack, 2005 September 8

 

493

Leonard, Charles Arthur, 2005 March 10

 

494

Lunsford, Carl D., 2005 April 25*

 

495

Mann, Frank W., 2005 August 1

 

496

Martin, Albert Edwin, 2005 April 8

 

497

Meredith, Jessie H., 2005 June 27

 

498

Miller, Jacob W., 2005 July 29

 

499

Moore, Kenneth Earl, 2005 August 15

 

500

Moore, Roscoe Michael, 2004 October 14

 

501

Morgan, Georgia Bazacos, 2005 January 21

 

502

Murphey, Robert Stafford, 2004 November 29

 

503

Neurohr, John, 2005 June 30

 

504

O’Hallahan, Carl D., 2005 August 23

 

505

Page, Carolyn Nelson, 2005 November 22

 

506

Parrish, Preston L., 2005 July 21

 

507

Payne, Helen L., 2005 April 19

 

508

Perkins, Stuart M., 2005 March 16

 

509

Perks, J. Herman, 2005 April 5

 

510

Pinney, Mary H., 2005 August 30

 

511

Preston, Ellen J., 2005 August 4

 

512

Proakis, Anthony, G., 2005 July 27

 

513

Ramsay, Robert Lee, 2005 August 1

 

514

Roberts, James C., 2005 August 31

 

515

Robins, Edwin Claiborne, 2005 September 2005

 

516

Robins, Lora, 2004 July 8 and 2007 January 26

 

517

Rose, Edward K., 2005 April 7

 

518

Samford, Wayne T., 2005 June 28

 

519

Sasser, Frank M., 2005 July 27

 

520

Scanniello, Thomas R. (Tom), 2005 July 25

 

521

Schellenger, Norman D.(Norm), 2005 July 14

 

522

Schools, Beverly S., 2005 August 25

 

523

Scruggs, Roberta Roberts (Bobbe), 2004 November 10

 

524

Shumate, Stuart, 2004 September 17

 

525

Slaughter, Alexander H., 2005 September 7

 

526

Smith, Howard, 2005 June 30

 

527

Smithdeal, William F., 2005 January 4

 

528

Stiles, G. E. R. (Ned), 2004 October 26

 

529

Sullivan, Robert G., 2004 November 9

 

530

Taylor, John D., 2004 December 7

 

531

Teng, Lina C., 2005 August 12

 

532

Townes, H. Carlton, 2005 August 2

 

533

Tracy, Charles H., 2005 July 21

 

534

Turley, Brenda C. G., 2005 June 23

 

535

Tuttle, Roger L., 2005 August 10

 

536

Watts, Robert G., 2005 August 16

 

537

Welstead, William J., 2005 April 14

 

538

West, Cornelius J.,

 

539

White, Richard L., 2005 April 22

 

540

Williams, Charlie Lee, 2004 September 22

 

541

Winston, Cornita B., 2005 July 5

 

542

Woodle, Shirley D., 2005 June 30