Cigar Boxes
by Madden Cole
| 27 November, 2007 |
Article from the Collectables column of Business Day dated 11th May 2004.THE silver cigar boxes that served as invitations to performers at the inaugurations of president John F Kennedy and vice-president Lyndon B Johnson on January 20 1961 are among cigar smoking’s most collectable. Among celebrities presented with the 16cm-long box was Juliet Prowse, South African dancer and actress, who with Frank Sinatra, was invited to attend and perform at the inauguration. The inauguration is remembered for the heavy snowfall the night before, and Kennedy’s famous words in his inauguration speech: “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” Jeremy Astfalck, of The Old Corkscrew in Franschhoek, says that as the cigar box was presented to those who attended and performed at the inauguration hardly more than two dozen could have been issued, perhaps even fewer. “This makes it quite rare. “There may have been other boxes presented to dignitaries, but the inscription would not include ‘those who performed’. I have not come across one on the market before.” Another famous cigar case, according to Christopher Long (Smokers Paradise), is the one that belonged to Edward VIII. Edward bequeathed it to Robert Lewis, said to be the oldest established tobacco merchants in London. Equally famous is the cigar box that once belonged to Winston Churchill. Last year the 46oz Mexican silver box fetched £5800 on a London auction. Since Christopher Columbus first came across the smoking of cigars, or rather cone-shaped rolls of tobacco, in San Salvador in 1492, “savouring a fine cigar has been one of life’s great pleasures”, says Tinder Box On Line. Famous smokers include Edward VII, Churchill, Kennedy, Groucho Marx and JP Morgan. The Just for Him Tobacconists website says although cigar smoking was popular in England during the reign of Queen Victoria it was restricted to homes and private clubs. Traditions like the smoking room, smoking jacket and the port and cigars after dinner can be traced to this period. Leading silversmiths and craftsmen provided beautifully made accoutrements like cigar boxes and cases, and cigar cutters and holders to meet the demand of discerning smokers. Judith Miller, in Collectables Price Guide and Antiques Price Guide, describes some of elaborate and artistic pieces, like the late Victorian silver box with two compartments and lift-up lids. Fitted to the box are two cigar cutters and a lighter. It carries a price of £1500/£2500, while a Victorian lacquer cigar box is priced at £40/£50. An 1833 Birmingham silver case in its original box is priced at £500/£550 and a 1901 silver case for three cigars is tagged at £150/£200. Also collectable is cigar packaging. The cedarwood boxes and cigar tins have become collector’s items and are finding a ready market in online auctions and elsewhere. Ruby Lane online auction offers a metal cigar box with a picture of ships in battle, with a mirror inside, at $99, while a Bering Junior Superfine cigar box with label from Rothenberg & Schloss Cigar Company, dated 1936, is priced at $18. |