Sir Winston Churchills Cigar Humidor on the Block

Among his fellow Britons as well as cigar smokers, Winston Churchill is iconic.So it should have been no surprise when a humidor presented to Churchill upon his election to the House of Commons in 1900 from the town which elected him – Oldham – sold for 13 times more than expected.Sold as a part of a large program of 20th Century items by Christie’s last week, the humidor (pictured above) started life as a cabinet, which was converted by adding four cigar trays. It was one of several gifts given to Churchill by The Primrose League, a Conservative organization. The lid bears an engraved plaque which is inscribed “Presented to Mr. W.S. Churchill on being elected Member of Parliament for Oldham, 1st October 1900.”Expected to earn 1,000-1,500 British pounds ($1,967 to 2,950 U.S.), the item brought £14,400 or about $28,324!Nick Worskett of Christie’s told the Manchester Evening News that the items were on the market for the first time. Why did the humidor do so well? “Simple,” he said, “the association. Churchill, cigars . . . it had everything going for it and did extremely well.”It wasn’t the only piece of cigar memorabilia at the sale. A cigar punch in the shape of an owl, also a gift to Churchill upon his election in 1900, was sold for £1,200 (about 2,360 U.S.).