Help needed

[John J]

Hello, hoping someone can help me. I found an old box of cigars (see photos) while cleaning out an apartment. I know nothing about cigars. Guessing they are from the 70's but not sure. Are these still good? Is it better not to open? Is there any value in this item? Thanks for your time.

[El Presidente]

Take some photos of the underside and sides for us. 

[John J]

[Havanaaddict]

Here is what they look like. Definitely 70s

[John J]

Wow! very cool. Thank you

[SCgarman]

Unless they were stored in a proper humidified environment for 50 years, they are just a conversation piece now. 

[Fugu]

A very nice find, and those are still sealed and look pristine. Though it is a commissioned release, a 5er dress box (CB) has been an extremely rare packaging. There is certainly more collector's value to them as it is of smoking value. If you aren't into collecting I'd try and offer it to a versed collector or auction off.

[Islandboy]

Did they hand these out as you boarded your plane in France...long, long ago?

[teamrandr]

I would absolutely open it up.

[Edicion]

15 hours ago, Islandboy said:

Did they hand these out as you boarded your plane in France....long, long ago?

Cool thought to be handed these out on a Concorde. 

[John J]

On 2/7/2025 at 10:21 AM, Fugu said:

A very nice find, and those are still sealed and look pristine. Though it is a commissioned release, a 5er dress box (CB) has been an extremely rare packaging. There is certainly more collector's value to them as it is of smoking value. If you aren't into collecting I'd try and offer it to a versed collector or auction off.

Thanks for this information, it's very helpful. Does anyone have any idea of the value? or even a guesstimate. Thanks again.

[CaptainQuintero]

12 hours ago, John J said:

Thanks for this information, it's very helpful. Does anyone have any idea of the value? or even a guesstimate. Thanks again.

I picked up an 60's Air France 5-pack in a special bakelite case that were still smokeable about 10 years ago for £65 if that's any help.

[Fugu]

18 hours ago, John J said:

Thanks for this information, it's very helpful. Does anyone have any idea of the value? or even a guesstimate. Thanks again.

Very difficult to put a concrete price to it, as the “market” for this is small to non-existent. Let me execute: The Hoyo Triunfos has been a rare cigar, with what seems a pretty limited production period anyway. Then, in addition, there is this special packaging in yours, likely a commissioned run for an airline. You find the cigar mentioned in the Cubatabaco catalogue of 1962. Neither in catalogues and price lists before or after (at least I couldn’t, searching the web, Alex’s collection on CCW and my own books). Any info on this cigar is pretty scarce, no reference given in MRN either. What facts are clear is that this has been a machine-made Hoyo, and judging from its Punch “sibling” likely to be a Petit Coronas format (you may take measures of the box' outer dimensions). As for production period I would narrow it down to early 60s to early 70s (most likely 1962-1972). Your box comes with the standard large, dark-green warranty seal from that period, which even had to be trimmed to fit the smallish packaging (compare the box pictured in Havanaaddict's post from Mitch Orchant’s site – wearing the smaller seal that’s not been made before about 1972). Judging from MO’s specimen, the Hoyo Triunfos may have been kept in production for a little longer than the Punch one, or it’s been some of the usual production lag after discontinuation.

The usual airline handouts of cigars and cigarettes at the time had mostly been packed differently, usually cardboard 3er or fiver or special-made cases. Our Captain Quintero e.g. gives an account of a Punch, packed in a plastic petaca, that’s reported to having been handed out in Concorde (check his account of smoking the stick here). Your packaging here, however, seems pretty unhandy for such a purpose, where – should one have wished to smoke it during flight – one would’ve had to cut the seals and get the nailed lid pried open (or get it done for you by the attendant? not out of the possible of course). So perhaps it could have also been a gift package to smokers or to be purchased duty-free on board?

So I would say your find is certainly of a particular historic value. I am not aware of any “standard” dress box (current box or semi-plain box) five-count packaging, apart from the coffin boxes (Monte A, Sancho, ...). So, this is extremely unique, too. My guess would be that this unassuming little box, although it might appear unimpressive to the layman, would be best taken care of in the hands of a versed collector (French perhaps?) or in a museum-collection. But as always with unique and special things like this, “value” is a matter of the limited market. For someone just looking for a special smoke, his funds are better spent elsewhere (mho).

Edited February 8 by Fugu
added link to Hoyo Triunfos on CGarsLtd

[John J]

7 hours ago, Fugu said:

Very difficult to put a concrete price to it, as the “market” for this is small to non-existent. Let me execute: The Hoyo Triunfos has been a rare cigar, with what seems a pretty limited production period anyway. Then, in addition, there is this special packaging in yours, likely a commissioned run for an airline. You find the cigar mentioned in the Cubatabaco catalogue of 1962. Neither in catalogues and price lists before or after (at least I couldn’t, searching the web, Alex’s collection on CCW and my own books). Any info on this cigar is pretty scarce, no reference given in MRN either. What facts are clear is that this has been a machine-made Hoyo, and judging from its Punch “sibling” likely to be a Petit Coronas format (you may take measures of the box' outer dimensions). As for production period I would narrow it down to early 60s to early 70s (most likely 1962-1972). Your box comes with the standard large, dark-green warranty seal from that period, which even had to be trimmed to fit the smallish packaging (compare the box pictured in Havanaaddict's post from Mitch Orchant’s site – wearing the smaller seal that’s not been made before about 1972). Judging from MO’s specimen, the Hoyo Triunfos may have been in production for a little longer than the Punch one, or it’s been some of the usual production lag after discontinuation.

The usual airline handouts of cigars and cigarettes at the time had mostly been packed differently, usually cardboard 3er or fiver or special-made cases. Our Captain Quintero e.g. gives an account of a Punch, packed in a plastic petaca, that’s reported to having been handed out in Concorde (check his account of smoking the stick here). Your packaging here, however, seems pretty unhandy for such a purpose, where – should one have wished to smoke it during flight – one would’ve had to cut the seals and get the nailed lid pried open (or get it done for you by the attendant? not out of the possible of course). So perhaps it could have also been a gift package to smokers or to be purchased duty-free on board?

So I would say your find is certainly of a particular historic value. I am not aware of any “standard” dress box (current box or semi-plain box) five-count packaging, apart from the coffin boxes (Monte A, Sancho, ...). So, this is extremely unique, too. My guess would be that this unassuming little box, although it might appear unimpressive to the layman, would be best taken care of in the hands of a versed collector (French perhaps?) or in a museum-collection. But as always with unique and special things like this, “value” is a matter of the limited market. For someone just looking for a special smoke, his funds are better spent elsewhere (mho).

I can't thank you enough. This is incredibly helpful. I tried researching it a few times and got nowhere. Thank you so much.

[teamrandr]

I think someone would pay at least $500 for them if they could see the cigars.

[Çnote]

19 hours ago, teamrandr said:

I think someone would pay at least $500 for them if they could see the cigars.

I know guys that would drop silly amounts for this open for inspection, but I know of ballers who can drop more would want this sealed.

 

[CaptainQuintero]

On 2/8/2025 at 11:52 PM, teamrandr said:

I think someone would pay at least $500 for them if they could see the cigars.

My gut was more coffee table trinket so whatever someone was willing to pay, like $40 - $50ish so it really must be a buyers market!

[Fugu]

On 2/9/2025 at 10:35 PM, CaptainQuintero said:

My gut was more coffee table trinket so whatever someone was willing to pay, like $40 - $50ish so it really must be a buyers market!

May very well be the smallest dress box on record to have ever been made. So certainly more than just a coffee table piece. Now, finding someone who will really appreciate its true value...so, I agree, buyer will likely set the price, as you say.