The idea for shipping cigars started in 1830 when a banking firm (H.Upmann)



shipped cigars to directors in London. The concept to use cedar, interesting enough, was because cedar helped keep the tobacco from drying out which in turn allowed for the maturing process to take place.  Before this time, cigars were sold in bundles covered in pig's bladders and due to the smell a vanilla pod accompanied the bundle to lessen the smell.

Ramon Allones, introduced the lithographic labels for his own brand in 1837. The packaging of 8-9-8 where 8 cigars were placed on the bottom of box, then 9 in the middle and finally 8 was used by Ramon Allones and Partagas.  These cigars came in polished , curved edge boxes and usually very expensive. 

                                                                                          
                                                                                          


                                                        
In the mid 19th century, colorful labels and illustrations appeared on the inside of the lids for many Havana brands and others as well.  Normally, colored paper was glued to the inside of the box to cover the cigars.  A tradition since 1912 was to nail the box shut and use a green and white label to mark that the cigars were truly Havana cigars.

At first, the wording Hecho en Cuba would be stamped on the underneath side of the box later replaced by the English version "Made in Havana - Cuba".  The wording of "Totalmente a Mano" meaning totally by hand came in 1989 and was a genuine mark that the cigars were made in the traditional Cuban manner - handmade.

The cigar band was introduced by a Dutchman, Gustavo Bock to mark his brand from all others on the market.  The band became important because before the band was introduced cigars came bundled or boxed.   "Scammers" would sell fakes for the originals.  The band caught on and the people of wealth and status would  use the band as the mark of the original or as a signature of the giver.  One function of the band was to keep the smokers' fingers from getting stained.  Many of the aristocrats of that era would wear white evening gloves out doing the town or for going to the opera.  Thus, not to stain the glove. The English believe it is in "bad form" to smoke a cigar with the band on - to advertise the brand you are smoking.  The Europeans and the United States do not follow the same belief.

Some history, some little known facts to help see if that old cigar box you found in Granddad's garage might be an original. If so, and in good condition it might be worth some value.  If not then a value to you just as a keepsake. The cigar "craze" is back in full force as a nostalgic way to relax and be one of status either with yourself or as "members only" as in the old days.