Fake?

[Stevieboy]

What's wrong in this picture??

http://i.ebayimg.com/11/%21BN25isw%212k%7E$%28KGrHgoH-DgEjlLl1CLoBJrw%21OmuiQ%7E%7E_35.JPG

This is from a French ebay (http://cgi.ebay.fr/Boite-VIDE-Cigares-COHIBA-ESPLENDIDOS-HABANOS-de-Cuba_W0QQitemZ200337966972QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFR_JG _Collections_Fumeur_Objets?hash=item200337966972&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1526%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50) listing and I'm pretty sure there's something not right. There are two things that give me reason to doubt.

The prize is the smug satisfsaction of being right :)

[whisky77]

The first thing is that the crest or badge on the seal should be in the middle of the box;the edge of the box runs in the middle of the crest, if that makes any sense!:confused:

[Stevieboy]

The first thing is that the crest or badge on the seal should be in the middle of the box;the edge of the box runs in the middle of the crest, if that makes any sense!:confused:

Perfect sense dude (after a re-read:p!) That's what I though too ...the other thing is less obvious...

[Boss Hog]

I would have a guess at the font on the "Habano Cuba" doesnt look quite right in picture 2 on the side of the box or they dont use accents over the lettering on the word ESPL?NDIDOS where as a french peasant who go round flogging dodgy cigars would!!! How's that.

[Stevieboy]

I would have a guess at the font on the "Habano Cuba" doesnt look right in picture 2 on the side of the box or the stamp on the box clasp is not right.

I think the box itself is genuine...I compared it to mine and the font and clasp are the same.

It's a tough one this and has something to do with most (all?) varnished boxes!!:rolleyes:

[daverave999]

A few guesses, just for a laugh:
-Clasp does not look like a Schmale to me. Supposedly they have had the exclusive contract since 1908 or something.
-No box code. I don't know how it works on these expensive types though. ;)
-The corner sticker looks varnished over but the front one doesn't. Surely they are applied at the same time?

When is the varnish normally applied?

The box is shown open, yet also with the unbroken seal? Would YOU break the seal for an ebay auction?

Just ideas from someone who doesn't know any better...

[yankeefan]

i,am no expert on cuban cigars by any stretch, but the words cuban cigars for sale on e-bay would for me be a red flag in and of itself, then factor in the cohiba thing and there you have it. just my 2 cents.

[whisky77]

Never had a box of esplendidos Stevieboy, but should there even be a label on the box?
Would the seal not go on the original cardboard protective cover?

[Stevieboy]

Never had a box of esplendidos Stevieboy, but should there even be a label on the box?
Would the seal not go on the original cardboard protective cover?

My box has the seal on the cardboard boxand not on the varnished box at all plus the chevron is on the RHS!?!? I always thought that if any type of cigar came in a carboard outer then the seal would be on the outer:confused::confused::confused: Maybe older espis didn't come in a cardboard box!? Anyone??

[whisky77]

My box has the seal on the cardboard boxand not on the varnished box at all plus the chevron is on the RHS!?!? I always thought that if any type of cigar came in a carboard outer then the seal would be on the outer:confused::confused::confused: Maybe older espis didn't come in a cardboard box!? Anyone??

I have a box of Magicos and a box of Genios at home Stevieboy, and they both came with the protective cardboard; the is seal on the outside of the box and the actual presentation box never has the seal (see photo).I have had a few of the presentation boxes as well and the seal was always on the outside.

I have the 2003 Selection Robustos(first year of release) and the 2007 Selection pyramids and both have the seal on the outside and not the actual box.

http://www.ukcigarforums.com/picture.php?pictureid=350&albumid=42&dl=1241359117&thumb=1 (http://www.ukcigarforums.com/album.php?albumid=42&pictureid=350) http://www.ukcigarforums.com/picture.php?pictureid=347&albumid=42&dl=1241359117&thumb=1 (http://www.ukcigarforums.com/album.php?albumid=42&pictureid=347)

This has really got me thinking now Stevieboy!:confused:

[Ramon]

Maybe older espis didn't come in a cardboard box!? Anyone??

Mine didn't, or my new ones.

[Stevieboy]

This has really got me thinking now Stevieboy!:confused:

I'm bloody confused now :eek: I came into this thread thinking I knew what was going on with these boxes now I'm lost!! Check out Ramon's Espi box - looks the same even down to the new Cohiba logo on the clasp but no seal on mine and his never came in a cardboard box!?!?!

[whisky77]

That`s what I love about the whole cigar sub culture, no matter how much you think you know, there will always be some little thing that will come along and blow all your preconceptions clean out the window.

Really enjoyed this thread stevie, and look at it in a positive light, at least now we know that we know less than we think we did:der:

[Stevieboy]

at least now we know that we know less than we think we did:der:

Hit the nail right on the head Big Lad....:biggrin1: