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So Gentlemen it's been quite awhile since a Simon Bolivar Comp. Didn't manage a raffle this June as originally hoped but one reason was that I was still waiting for delivery of a prize that I had ordered, expecting it to arrive intime for last June's Falklands Auctions. It seems books on Cuban cigars take as long to arrive as the EL & RE cigars do!
Anyway in the acustomed tradition, here's my story...
One day I noticed a link on FB for a new book that was about to be published on the Partagas line of cigars. Described as 'Coffee table book on the history of Partagas in Cuba', a discount was offered if paid for in advance. Thinking this would make a good auction prize, I went ahead & parted with my money & waited & waited. After a year I was getting to the stage of asking for my money back & worried it might never actually be completed/posted/arrive ect. Paying quite a large sum to an anonomus person on FB was a bit of a leap of faith & I have to say I did doubt my judgement several times afterwards.
However last month they were finally ready to be posted, when sending my address through I mentioned that I intended to raffle this book off, for one of my fav service charities; Combat Stress. Amir very generously offered to send me two books so I could keep one, if I paid for the extra P&P & import duties. I was very surprised by Amir's kind offer but it turns out he has given a few other books away & they have raised 'significant' amounts & he wished me well on my money raising venture.
On the 28th August, I took my book down to the local cafe in the sunshine & armed with a suitable stick - Party Series D No1, I read through the book. Firstly if I may say, I have a few cigar coffee book style books & this is way out of that league. There are 72 pages of extremely detailed info, more in the vein of MRN than large pics of celeb's chomping on stogies. The history of the company I found genuinely interesting & includes a 'who dun it murder', political intrigue & lessons in business practices. There is a section on lithograpy & bands which was the only part that didn't interest me personally but I know it does appeal to plenty of smokers.
Unfortunately I couldn't bring it with me this trip & I also wanted to wait until all members are likely to be back from their hols ect so I will begin this comp on the 1st Oct & it will close on the Tues 8th Oct & be posted from London on the 10th Oct.
From last yrs experience (newer members who are interested can search for 'Falklands' & check out the previous auctions) I think best way to raise the most money is to hold a raffle, that way many can contribute. This is a very special book & weighty tome (I will be covering onward P&P to the winner) so tickets will be ?10 each; no limit on the number you can buy. Those wishing to buy please contact me by PM so I can give you details of how to pay. All payments must be made before the draw. If you haven't got enough posts to be eligible for PM status then you have time to rack them up before the start.
As long as we raise a 'decent sum' I will throw in a small second prize taken from the depths of the Bolivar 'cave' so you'll have dble the chance of winning something.
SAM_0848.jpgSAM_0849.jpgAmir's kind deadiction, the raffle prize is signed 'best wishes from ect'SAM_0850.jpgSo I took a selection of Partys from my Cave to accompany reading this book. SAM_0851.jpgAfter the No1, I chose the 898 after one of the top female Partagas employees said it was her fav. SAM_0852.jpgSAM_0853.jpg I usually love them too but this was turned out to be the worst example I'd ever had! I found two plugs in it, one a third down the other a third up. I just couldn't draw it as it was, although it was smoking away, I couldn't draw any of it. I should have had my cutter with me but I only had my punch so desperate was I, that I broke the stick in half. A sorry sight but even with the one plug still there, I was now able to smoke it & did acheive to retrieve this otherwise unsmokable stick. Luckily after the No1, half a 898 was enough for my that afternoon. Last thought though, if one of the top managers says this is their fav stick, how come they have deleted it? Sounds like the bean counters & not the makers holding sway there.
For those who would like to find out more about Combat Stress:
Anyway in the acustomed tradition, here's my story...
One day I noticed a link on FB for a new book that was about to be published on the Partagas line of cigars. Described as 'Coffee table book on the history of Partagas in Cuba', a discount was offered if paid for in advance. Thinking this would make a good auction prize, I went ahead & parted with my money & waited & waited. After a year I was getting to the stage of asking for my money back & worried it might never actually be completed/posted/arrive ect. Paying quite a large sum to an anonomus person on FB was a bit of a leap of faith & I have to say I did doubt my judgement several times afterwards.
However last month they were finally ready to be posted, when sending my address through I mentioned that I intended to raffle this book off, for one of my fav service charities; Combat Stress. Amir very generously offered to send me two books so I could keep one, if I paid for the extra P&P & import duties. I was very surprised by Amir's kind offer but it turns out he has given a few other books away & they have raised 'significant' amounts & he wished me well on my money raising venture.
On the 28th August, I took my book down to the local cafe in the sunshine & armed with a suitable stick - Party Series D No1, I read through the book. Firstly if I may say, I have a few cigar coffee book style books & this is way out of that league. There are 72 pages of extremely detailed info, more in the vein of MRN than large pics of celeb's chomping on stogies. The history of the company I found genuinely interesting & includes a 'who dun it murder', political intrigue & lessons in business practices. There is a section on lithograpy & bands which was the only part that didn't interest me personally but I know it does appeal to plenty of smokers.
Unfortunately I couldn't bring it with me this trip & I also wanted to wait until all members are likely to be back from their hols ect so I will begin this comp on the 1st Oct & it will close on the Tues 8th Oct & be posted from London on the 10th Oct.
From last yrs experience (newer members who are interested can search for 'Falklands' & check out the previous auctions) I think best way to raise the most money is to hold a raffle, that way many can contribute. This is a very special book & weighty tome (I will be covering onward P&P to the winner) so tickets will be ?10 each; no limit on the number you can buy. Those wishing to buy please contact me by PM so I can give you details of how to pay. All payments must be made before the draw. If you haven't got enough posts to be eligible for PM status then you have time to rack them up before the start.
As long as we raise a 'decent sum' I will throw in a small second prize taken from the depths of the Bolivar 'cave' so you'll have dble the chance of winning something.
SAM_0848.jpgSAM_0849.jpgAmir's kind deadiction, the raffle prize is signed 'best wishes from ect'SAM_0850.jpgSo I took a selection of Partys from my Cave to accompany reading this book. SAM_0851.jpgAfter the No1, I chose the 898 after one of the top female Partagas employees said it was her fav. SAM_0852.jpgSAM_0853.jpg I usually love them too but this was turned out to be the worst example I'd ever had! I found two plugs in it, one a third down the other a third up. I just couldn't draw it as it was, although it was smoking away, I couldn't draw any of it. I should have had my cutter with me but I only had my punch so desperate was I, that I broke the stick in half. A sorry sight but even with the one plug still there, I was now able to smoke it & did acheive to retrieve this otherwise unsmokable stick. Luckily after the No1, half a 898 was enough for my that afternoon. Last thought though, if one of the top managers says this is their fav stick, how come they have deleted it? Sounds like the bean counters & not the makers holding sway there.
For those who would like to find out more about Combat Stress:
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