Desirable 'Hoyo de Monterrey de Jose Gener' cigar box containing 25 handmade Cuban cigars, measuring 10˝ x 8.25˝ x 2˝, prominently signed and inscribed on the lid in black felt tip by Fidel Castro, "Para Howard, Fraternalmente, Fidel Castro, Enero 7, 98." 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." The box contains all 25 original 'Hoyo de Monterrey' double corona cigars inside. In fine condition.
This cigar box was signed for Howard Bingham, a professional photographer and biographer of Muhammad Ali, who accompanied the legendary boxer on multiple humanitarian visits to Cuba. They first went to Havana in 1996, bringing donations of about $500,000 in medical supplies to distribute to Cuban hospitals. Their trip—complete with cigar cost-haggling in the streets of Havana and a meeting with Castro—was chronicled by journalist Gay Talese in a classic Esquire article, 'Boxing Fidel,' published September 1, 1996. Ali returned to the island nation in September 1998—along with Bingham, actor Edward Asner, and representatives of the U.S.-based Disarm Education Fund and Direct Relief International organization—bringing donations of medicine and hospital equipment valued at $1.2 million.
Cigars were an integral component of Castro's heroic revolutionary image, and as such this signed box—affiliated with Muhammad Ali's visit to Cuba—is a truly remarkable historical artifact.
Provenance: The Howard Bingham Muhammad Ali Collection, Julien's Auctions, December 12, 2016.
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