An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Post-Revolution Havana Cigars by Min Ron Nee (1st Edition), what's up with the increase in price?

[toledo1969]

I was going trough some post on this Forum and someone mentioned how Min Ron Nee's first Edition book had gone up in value. I went to Ebay and did see that the First Edition was going for $1,800 USD. I remember buying mine on a group buy directly from Min Ron Nee when we he used to answer our questions on a Cigar Forum Site, that was already a couple of years ago. So I went to check on my Copy, that was basically being used as a Coffee Table book. To my surprise it's a First Edition, and I think it's also hand signed by Adriano Martinez (but not 100% sure).  So here are some pictures of the book, not looking to selling it, I am actually now going to put some kind of plastic wrap or anything that avoids from getting damaged. 

 

So any insights into why this First Edition went up so much, just out of curiosity. Thanks 

 

[Philc2001]

Asking price and actual selling price are different things. Anyone can set their asking price at any level, but it doesn’t really set the market price unless people actually pay that price.

I know people who sell collectibles on eBay and other venues and sometime there are wild eyed sellers disconnected from reality. Other sellers also post crazy inflated prices to try to set a fake inflated reference so they can show they are selling below market price. I’m not sure how well those tactics work.

The book is great, I had a first edition copy which I sold about a year ago. When I first got it I read it and displayed it, but much of the content is MRN’s personal opinions and views. It’s an interesting piece of work, mostly for its historic and aesthetic value, and probably a good reference to avid collectors and auction buyers.

With all the discontinued vitolas at the time of publishing, and much more so now, I’m not sure of its practical value to cigar smokers nowadays. I find it hard to believe anyone would pay anything close to $1,800 for it.






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[LGC]

Look at the prices on completed auctions

[Habana Mike]

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Min+Ron+Nee+-+An+Illustrated+Encyclopaedia+of+Havana+Cigars&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

[Nino]

1 hour ago, Philc2001 said:

Asking price and actual selling price are different things. Anyone can set their asking price at any level, but it doesn’t really set the market price unless people actually pay that price.

I find it hard to believe anyone would pay anything close to $1,800 for it.






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This.

[Nino]

2 hours ago, toledo1969 said:

I think it's also hand signed by Adriano Martinez (but not 100% sure). 

 

No, it is not "hand signed" by Adriano or MRN.

[BeerPimp]

Now that Ebay shows the sale date and makes it so easy to search completed auctions it is very easy to see what items are worth.  With buy it now and best offer options you will see people list items for much more than they are worth.

[zeedubbya]

@nino any new developments regarding the next publication?  

[Nino]

1 minute ago, zeedubbya said:

@nino any new developments regarding the next publication?  

Nope..... ?

All ready to go.

But I can understand his reasons for not printing it yet. The end of an Era ( Embargo/Revolution ) is not here yet.

Patience  ....

[Nino]

This is Mr Adriano Martinez Rius hand-signing back in 2009 at the Gala Dinner of the Festival ....

 

[bpm32]

I’ve given up on ever having a copy myself.

There’s a PDF copy of the Spanish version floating around the internet for anyone that can read it—not sure if it’s authorized or what the legalities are.

[Hookmaker]

I just bought a German version unopened for 150 Eur - I read German so no problem. Great reference and I like the live size cigars. 

Wishing for an updated version with all ER/EL’s until today?

@nino, what was the purpose of the multi volume bamboo edition that was never published, - a full and comprehensive pictorial volume of his entire collection?

[JohnS]

Thank you Nino for your confirmed replies to questions in this thread. It's much appreciated!

[toledo1969]

Thank you everyone for your comments and input, good to know more about this book. This is mostly for Rare Cuban Collectors, since most newbies are focused only on the new Regional Craze that I would imagine the new Edition will focus on. 

[zeedubbya]

2 hours ago, nino said:

Nope..... ?

All ready to go.

But I can understand his reasons for not printing it yet. The end of an Era ( Embargo/Revolution ) is not here yet.

Patience  ....

As @JohnS said, thank you Nino for answering.  This hobby of ours has given me a lot more patience and I respect his decision to release it on his time.  

[SCgarman]

2 hours ago, nino said:

Nope..... ?

All ready to go.

But I can understand his reasons for not printing it yet. The end of an Era ( Embargo/Revolution ) is not here yet.

Patience  ....

The embargo/revolution may just outlast/outlive the author whomever he is. 

[SigmundChurchill]

This thread finally prompted me to go rummaging through the attic to find my copy.  It took me about 1/2 hour to find it, but there it was in a box with some other old cigar books....that are nowhere in it’s league.  I don’t care how out of date it is, flipping through this now reminds me of what a masterpiece it really is.  No other cigar book even comes close.

 

Somehow, I dont remember the cover being beige.  I remembered it being as white as the book, itself.

 

[OZCUBAN]

I still have my copy I don’t care that it is largely irrelevant due to the large number of deletions ,to me it is the OPUS and as a printer it is a permanent record of a slice of history 

and the testimony of one mans passion 

cheers all 

[Fuzz]

Correction: it is not irrelevant, just not current.

To be honest, I find it is still relevant. Unless the information in it has been proven wrong with the passing of time, for the info inside is still correct for its time. Any book that is printed will be out of date, as new info is always coming in. Even the 2nd Ed will be dated, as there has to be a cut off date for information.

I too see it as a piece of history, and a gorgeous one at that.

[b0rderman]

I was in college when it was originally released. I drooled over a friend's copy, and had always regretted not digging through the couch cushions to make it happen for me back then.

So, I mentioned this book to my wife in passing about year ago (I think in regards to her asking how I can tell if someone is really into cigars), and then on my birthday a mint copy came crashing down on my lap...

[Ken Gargett]

55 minutes ago, Fuzz said:

Correction: it is not irrelevant, just not current.

To be honest, I find it is still relevant. Unless the information in it has been proven wrong with the passing of time, for the info inside is still correct for its time. Any book that is printed will be out of date, as new info is always coming in. Even the 2nd Ed will be dated, as there has to be a cut off date for information.

I too see it as a piece of history, and a gorgeous one at that.

ditto. happened to be in havana when they released it, or perhaps just after. lugged a copy all the way back. never regretted that. fabulous book.

agree also re the bit above re setting prices not always matching reality. just came across an american wine site offering the 75 Dows for almost US$900. holy crap. a really ordinary vintage. i suspect you could find it at auction for about $120 to $150. but they might find someone who doesn't know better who pays the dosh. 

[ChanceSchmerr]

I always wanted a copy but never got a crack at one within my price range. However, I've had a few chances to enjoy reading excerpts from it (last October whilst working in Japan I spent a few evenings in the Yokohama Sheraton Cigar Lounge perusing their copy) so at least I've had that.

Count me among those who don't care of the age or out-of-date nature of some of the information, the 1st edition remains a seminal volume and a vital piece of cigar art and history in my books, and I would be proud to own a copy.

[Ken Gargett]

if i recall, the price when i got mine was $75. possibly $80. thankfully. 

[Nino]

9 hours ago, Hookmaker said:

@nino, what was the purpose of the multi volume bamboo edition that was never published, - a full and comprehensive pictorial volume of his entire collection?

A trial run as the second edition was all ready and the time/atmosphere seemed right ...

8 hours ago, JohnS said:

Thank you Nino for your confirmed replies to questions in this thread. It's much appreciated! ?

My pleasure @JohnS

8 hours ago, SenorPerfecto said:

 

So presumably MRN will continue updating it until he publishes, so it will be current at time of printing?

 

Yes.

8 hours ago, NYgarman said:

The embargo/revolution may just outlast/outlive the author whomever he is. 

All things must pass .... as George Harrison famously sung ...

All things must pass
None of life's dreams can last
 

 

[Hookmaker]

8 hours ago, nino said:

A trial run as the second edition was all ready and the time/atmosphere seemed right ...

My pleasure @JohnS

Yes.

All things must pass .... as George Harrison famously sung ...

All things must pass
None of life's dreams can last
 

 

@nino, thanks - but how on earth does 1 volume expand to 5 or more volumes as I see in the pics on your blog simply by including cigars from 2002-2018?