Virginia Historical Society
Department of Manuscripts and Archives

A Guide to the A.H. Robins Company Records, 1885-2004.
Collection Number Mss3 R5535 a FA2


Contact Information:
Virginia Historical Society
P.O. Box 7311
Richmond, Virginia 23221-0311
USA
Phone: (804) 342-9677
Fax: (804) 355-2399
Email: reference@vahistorical.org
URL: http://www.vahistorical.org

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 (1910-1957), 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

Folder1Minutes, 1936 April 17- 1944 October 6

Financial materials, 1925-1940

Box 1a

Folder2-11Bills, Alphabetical (10 folders)
12Contracts Ledger, 1925 May-1936 May
13Sales Ledger, 1940 April-1943 May
14Taxes and Licenses, 1938-1940
15Time Book, 1937
16Traveling Expenses, E. Claiborne Robins, 1937 January-April

Prescriptions, 1885-1910

Folder17Prescriptions, Bound, 1909-1910 (See Oversized Book located after box 1 on shelf)
18Prescriptions, Loose, 1885-1889

Promotional materials, ca. 1912-1935

Folder19-31Sample Requests, Correspondence, Domestic (13 folders)
32Sample Requests, Correspondence, International
33Sample Requests, Miscellaneous Lists
34-35Sample Requests, Postcards, 1912-1919, 1921, 1923-1924 & 1935 (2 folders)

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

Legal, 1944-1999

Box 1b

Folder36aPartnership 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-dConsummation of Sixth Amended and Restated Plan of Reorganization, Agreement of Plan of Merger, 1989 December 15, Volumes I-III

Presentations, 1977-1980

Folder371977 February 25, William L. Zimmer, III, to New York Society of Security Analysts
381980 April 29, E. Claiborne Robins, Jr., to Stockholders
391980 October 7, E. Claiborne Robins, Jr., concerning Puerto Rican groundbreaking

Stocks, 1963-1972

Box 2

Folder401963, Common Stock Offering (425,000 Shares)
411965 March 18, SEC Amendment Registration Statement
421968 April 3, Common Stock Offering (320,000 Shares)
431972 March 28, Common Stock Offering (750,000 shares)

Time book, 1953-1955

Folder44Time Book, 1953-1955

Travel, 1950s-1978

Folder45A. H. Robins-sponsored trips, ca. 1950s
46Elkins Sinn trip to Richmond, 1977 March (SEE also oversized flat file folder 1)
47Horsham, England, Laboratories, 1978 (Scrapbook)
48Martinet Laboratories, France, 1978 (Scrapbook)
49Wadel 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

Folder50Letters of Appreciation, Guests and Participants
51Letters of Appreciation, Guests of Honor
52Letters from Governors (alphabetized by state)
53Photographs
54The Scarab, "New Robins Plant Dedication During World Medical Association Meeting Here," 1953 May

Miscellaneous, 1944-1997

Folder55A. H. Robins, Archival Research, 1986
56A. H. Robins, Awards (SEE also oversized flat file folder 1)
57A. H. Robins, Company Organizational Chart, 1980-1997
58E. Claiborne Robins, Business card
59E. F. Heffner, Head Sales Representative, notebook, 1949-1965
60Elkins Sinn, Inc., Employees, Home Addresses
61Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers International Union, Annual Report of American Home Products Corporation, 1990
62Personal Records Form (blank)
63A. 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 3

Folder64 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
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 Nuit de Noel
96 Pabalate
97 Phenaphen
98 Pondimin
99 Quinidex
100 Quinto Instrument Company
101 Reglan
102 Repoise
103 Robalate
104 Robamox
105 Robanul (also known as Robinul)
106 Robaxin-V
107 Robaxisal
108 Robicillin
109 Robimycin
110 Robitet
111 Robitussin
112 Robizone
113 Sedobarb
114 Silain Gel
115 Skelaxin
116 Sulla
117 Tybatran
118 Z-bec

Series 2.2. Subsidiary Companies.

Folder119 Babcock Industries
120 Caron Parfums
121 Elkins-Sinn, Inc.
122-3 Miller Morton Company (2 folders)
124 Viobin Corporation (SEE also oversized flat file folder 1)

Series 2.3. International and Grouped Products.

Folder125 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 4

Folder127 A. H. Robins print ads ca. 1920s
128 “A. H. Robins Today,” USA Today, 1985 May 7
129 Docteur Martinet 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

Folder135-140A. H. Robins, 1963-1988 (6 folders)
141A.H. Robins Annual Report, 1981 (Draft)

Bowl of Hygeia

Folder142Bowl of Hygeia as a Pharmaceutical Symbol, The American Insititute for the History of Pharmacy, n.d.
143Captions, 1978
144News Release, 1957
145News Release, 1980
146Sign, “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.

Folder147 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.

Folder1721866 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 5

Folder185 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 6

Folder199 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 7

Folder210 '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

Folder227 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

Folder241 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

Folder246 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 8

Folder254 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

Folder269-270 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 9

Folder274-275Robins Readers, 1954-1990 (2 folders)

Miscellaneous

Folder276 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.

Folder288 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"
299 964 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 10

Folder334 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

Folder341 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

Folder345 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

Folder352 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

Folder357 Production
358-59 Research (2 folders [SEE also oversized flat file folder 2])

Series 4.6. Subsidiaries

Folder360 Caron Parfums
361 Miller Morton

Series 4.7. Miscellaneous

Folder362 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.

Scrapbook1 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 11

Folder364 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

Folder374 Medical College of Virginia, School of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Science, 1933 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)

Series 6.3. Degrees and Certificates, Honorary

Folder375 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

Folder381 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

Folder385 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

Folder388 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

Folder392 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

Folder399 "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, ARichmond 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 407Annual 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:

Folder414 Spring 1986, Volume 48, Number 3
415 Spring 1994, Volume 56, Number 3
416 Summer1995, Volume 57, Number 4

Series 6.10. VietnamVisit, 1969

Folder417 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

Folder422 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

Folder425 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 7.3 are her bank statements, which document her financial standing just after her son, E. Claiborne Robins took over the company.

Series 7.1. Claiborne Robins (1873-1912)

Folder433Richmond 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 Certificates, 1896 (SEE oversized flat file folder 6)

Series 7.2. Lora Elizabeth (McGlasson) Robins

Folder434Richmond 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 7.3. Martha Elizabeth (Taylor) Robins (ca. 1883-1957)

Folder435 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.

Box 12


Canister 11, 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.

Box 13

Folder438 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

Return to the Online Catalog

Last updated: October 31, 2008

For further information, please contact: Eileen Parris, Archivist
email: eparris@vahistorical.org