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Fidel Castro

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
Fidel Castro

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Auction Date:2019 May 08 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:15th Floor WeWork, Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Wooden Cohiba Lanceros cigar box containing 25 handmade Cuban cigars, measuring 8.5 x 8.5 x 1.75, prominently signed on the lid in black felt tip by Fidel Castro. The corner of the lid bears a "Habanos" label, and the box is stamped on the bottom, "Habanos S.A., Hecho en Cuba, Totalmente a mano, MKO DIC 03." The box has all 25 original Cohiba Lancero cigars inside, famous as Castro's favorite type. In fine condition, with some irregular ink adhesion due to the wooden surface.

This box was signed for Lt. Governor Andre Bauer of South Carolina during a 2004 US–Cuba trade mission, and is accompanied by a letter of provenance signed by Bauer, in full: "In January 2004 the Governor of the state of South Carolina asked me to go in his stead to Cuba for a trade mission. As Lieutenant Governor, the United States government allowed travel for trade, limited to agricultural and pharmaceutical products. After a few days of negotiation, I had a meeting that was supposed to last approximately 30 minutes with Mr. Castro. However, because of heightened debate and differences of governmental perspectives, he decided to stay for over four hours. During this time he offered me a box of cigars, at which time I asked him if he would sign them. Since 2004, the cigars have remained in my possession."

During this 'Carolina to Cuba' trade mission, the South Carolina delegation secured a commitment from the Cuban government to purchase $10 million worth of agricultural products from the state's farmers. This episode was widely covered in the press, and the gift of signed cigar boxes was reported at the time. The Charleston Post and Courier wrote: 'Before Castro was whisked away to one of the waiting Mercedes, he and the delegation exchanged gifts—a crystal candelabra and cuff links with the state seal for the feisty Cuban and Cohiba cigars in Castro-autographed wooden boxes for the state officials.' As cigars were such an integral component of Castro's heroic revolutionary image, this signed box of desirable Cubans is a truly remarkable historical artifact.