A signed box of Trinidad Fundadores cigars Fidel Castro gifted to philanthropist Dr Eva Haller in the early 2000s has sold for $22,000.
From 1980 to 1998, the brand produced cigars exclusively for Castro and his dignitaries (although he himself quit smoking in 1985).
Fidel Castro often gifted cigars to visiting dignitaries
They’re widely considered to be among the best produced in Cuba.
Dr Haller says: “Castro handed to me the box of cigars. He gave them to me, because I jokingly asked him for it, when others lit a cigar. I told him, that if he signs the box, I will sell it and make lots of money.
“He thought that was funny...we have some photos of the occasion.”
The box still contains the original 20 cigars, as well as the “Republica de Cuba" export sticker.
We have a signature from Castro’s friend and comrade Che Guevara for sale.
A signed photograph of Art Blakey’s legendary Jazz Messengers realised $16,340 at the same RR Auction sale last night. That's a huge increase on its $200 estimate.
All the men in this photograph were hugely influential figures in the world of jazz
It displays autographs from Lee Morgan, Art Blakey, Wayne Shorter, Jymie Merritt and Walter Davis Jr – each a towering figure in the world of jazz.
The line-up was ever changing. It’s unclear exactly when this shot was taken, but that particular combination of musicians roughly dates it to 1959.
We have an extraordinary collection of autographs for sale, click here to take a look.
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