The Story Behind The 1970’s Diplomatic Cohiba 50 And 100 Count Lancero Boxes
9 May
Now that these boxes are safely in the hands of MRN for the preservation of cigar history, here is the “back story” of their acquisition.
Two ultra rare boxes of Cohiba Lanceros presented by the Cuban government to foreign personalities in the 1970’s surfaced earlier this year.
Before leaving for Cuba in February, literally hours before boarding my flight, I was able to acquire the second box, a 50 count one that has impeccable provenance and papers from the Leipzig LCDH in a public open auction.
I picked up that box at a later date after my return from Cuba and had a most pleasant time with Martin Schenke, the Casa manager.
Certainly not my last visit there.
The 100 count box, also with proven provenance record and papers was acquired first also earlier in the year from the LCDH Amsterdam by bidding the highest price and also picked up after my return from Cuba.
Again, a very pleasant time was had there with Didi Festen, the manager and very jovial friend whom I had met earlier in Havana during the Festival as well as with my friends Frank and Michel who came along and made this a fantastic reunion.
Both boxes were taken to Hong Kong and will be featured in the upcoming II Edition of Min Ron Nee’s cigar bible.
These boxes, along with a 50 count Diplomatic Cohiba Coronas Especiales that I acquired a few years ago from a former East Bloc country and a partial box in Canada that I also assisted in being taken to Hong Kong for photographs for the II edition are the only known / existing boxes so far from a very short period when the very first and short-lived Cohiba logo and bands were used as Cuban state presents to dignitaries.
Nino
Wow! What a find! Thanks for sharing.
That is one great find. Are you going to smoke them?
Great ! Thank you Nino !
My pleasure !