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Expert: - 1/11/2008


Question
QUESTION: Hello
I am cleaning on a very old house. And we have found several old boxes of Cuban Cigars. They are dated from the 1920's and were sealed till we opeded them. Would love to sell them to someone who can apprecitate them, any advise? Thank You

ANSWER: Hi Philip,

If the cigars or the cigar boxes are not damaged in any way, they can definitely be sold to collectors.  What you should do is contact an antique dealer that specializes in "Tobacciana" or "pre-embargo" Cuban cigars for an assessment and appraisal value or your cigars.  You can then try to sell these cigars to private collectors or put them up for auction with an auction company such as Christie's or Sotheby's.  In most cases, the antique dealers can direct you through the right channels to getting your cigars sold but if you prefer to sell these privately, place ads in newspapers, internet cigar forums, buy & sell forums or even visit a cigar store/lounge and speak with some regular customers and there will definitely be some interest in your cigars.

Hope this answers your question.  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I'll be happy to help.

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Very Much. Would you have a ballpark idea what a box would be worth. For example I have a full box of 25 Particulares Belvederes with a 1926 tax stamp.

Answer
Hi again Philip,

Unfortunately, I do not provide cigar appraisals and cannot even give a ballpark figure without a visual assessment of the cigars and cigar boxes.  You best option is to speak with an tobaccicana dealer locally and allow him to thoroughly inspect the cigars and the boxes.

Regards,
James

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James Yee

Expertise

My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".

Experience

I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.

Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)


Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto

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