Featured Treasures

Fidel Castro’s personal signed cigar box. A Romeo & Julieta cigar box used by Fidel Castro to avoid assassination, circa 1960 - 1984.

• Gifted to Castro by his long-term mistress Natty Revuelta Clews

• Used extensively by Castro in his main office and during official foreign trips for 24 years

• Signed clearly in black pen by Castro on the underside of the lid

• Comes with the original key, and a cigar that was discovered inside the box

• One of only three cigar boxes authentically signed by Fidel Castro known to exist

• Measures 15 x 12 inches when closed

In 1960, with continuing attempts on his life, Castro became aware of a CIA plot to poison one of the cigars he smoked. Or to put a cigar bomb in his cigar box.

To save Castro from harm, his long-term mistress Natty Revuelta Clews gave Castro this cigar box along with a crystal and silver ashtray.

As he did with most of his personal belongings, Castro signed the cigar box. Only he and his protection team were allowed to touch items which Castro had signed. Castro placed the box on his desk in his main office.

Castro would also take it with him when he travelled (hence the minor damage to the feet). Castro would routinely offer four of his generals cigars from the box, and tell them it was a present from him to keep them safe.

After he stopped smoking in December 1984, Castro sent the box and ashtray to the home he shared with mistress Natty Revuelta Clews (Calle 35 #1476 entre 26th y 28 Nuevo Vedado).

The box remained there until Clews' death in 2015, when it was sold during an auction of her estate.

This cigar box is a key piece of Castro’s personal history, that perfectly conveys his constant fear of assassination.

Cigars are synonymous with Fidel Castro, and all cigar-related Castro artefacts are in great demand.

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