General Auction Including Antiques, Collectables Gold & Silver (14% Buyers Commission)
A large collection of vintage cigar bands, known as vitolas, and associated ephemera, meticulously organised and mounted on plain white paper sheets. The collection is divided into various thematic series produced by several well-known European cigar manufacturers, predominantly from the Netherlands and the Canary Islands. Notable brands represented include Willem II, Tabacos Capote S.A., Alvaro, Mercator, Ritmeester, and Faruk Rumba.
The subject matter is diverse and includes a series titled Personajes from the Capote brand, depicting historical artists such as Murillo, Solana, Titian (Tiziano), Michelangelo (Miguel Angel), and Dürer (Durero). There is a significant section dedicated to nature and science, featuring fungi with Latin identifications such as Lactarius piperatus and Russula atropurpurea, alongside various insects and beetles. Motorsport is represented with portraits of Formula 1 drivers, including Graham Hill and John Surtees. The collection also contains commemorative bands for the 1982 FIFA World Cup held in Spain, featuring the emblems for Italy and the Argentine Football Association (AFA). Additional series depict vintage aircraft and helicopters under the Mercator brand, religious iconography, and architectural monuments.
The sheets contain extensive handwritten annotations in ink, likely by the original collector, providing numbering and identification in both English and Dutch/Flemish. A printed label for Tabacos Capote, S.A., El Paso – La Palma, Canarias is included.
Sheet dimensions approximately 210mm x 297mm (A4 equivalent).
Condition report:
The cigar bands are in good, well-preserved condition with bright colours and intact gold-tone embossed detailing. The paper mounting sheets show minor handling wear, occasional edge curling, and some age-related yellowing. The bands are adhered to the paper; any potential adhesive staining to the reverse of the bands is not visible from the front.
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