Bolivar/Punch Medallion Markings

[perfectform]

I was studying the label(s) closely while finishing up a petite corona and noticed "Leopold Roi Des Belge" on the outside edge of the medallion to the left of the general. I thought this was interesting.

Can anyone shed some light on this? I did some searching and kind of came up empty.

[Ken Gargett]

» I was studying the label(s) closely while finishing up a petite corona and

» noticed "Leopold Roi Des Belge" on the outside edge of the medallion to

» the left of the general. I thought this was interesting.

»

» Can anyone shed some light on this? I did some searching and kind of came

» up empty.

purely a guess but something to do with king leopold of belgium. with any luck, it would be something to do with him burning in hell for eternity - my understanding has him as one of the worst mass murderers of all time, responsible for horrendous slaughter in africa. i believe chopping off hands was a favourite pastime. played a crucial role in the slave trade and deceived europe in doing so. but may well have been kind to small animals (though i suspect he would have been more likely to shoot them as well). perhaps if we have any belgian members (left), they could shed light?

[SmokinAl]

Ken, Rob is going to kill you. again.

[El Presidente]

There goes my Belgium market

Out of the office currently but will chase up for you Monday unless others can add sensible comment.

[laficion]

Hi perfectform,

I would not go as far as Ken has but from what I know

medallions on the band are from International Expos

where the brand won medals and prizes for their quality,

such as expos in Paris, London, New York or Belgium.

If you look at the Partagas vista You'll have a good Example.

[Ken Gargett]

»

» Out of the office currently but will chase up for you Monday unless others

» can add sensible comment.

be fair. that may not be the reason but there is a fair chance that appalling grub had something to do with it. he would rank in the top ten worst ever humans ever to grace this planet.

[tcampbel]

During King Leopold I reign in Belgium (1831-1865) all monies had "Leopold Roi Des Belge" or "Leopold ruler of Belgium". I know that the Punch brand was introduced during this time (1840). My guess is the there was some Belgium financeres that wanted this medallion on there or it was placed there to appeal to the Belgium market.

[Colt45]

Very interesting - I never really noticed. Hopefully we'll get a definitive answer.

[laficion]

My guess is the there was some

» Belgium financeres that wanted this medallion on there or it was placed

» there to appeal to the Belgium market.

Hi tcampbel,

It must have been BIG money because you will see that

medallion on almost all of the vistas of cuban brands

Bolivar

Punch

Por Larranaga

RyJ

Partagas

H.Upmann

Ramon Allones

Hoyo de Monterrey

These have all won medallions at International Expos.

in Belgium

[perfectform]

» My guess is the there was some

» » Belgium financeres that wanted this medallion on there or it was placed

» » there to appeal to the Belgium market.

»

»

»

»

»

» Hi tcampbel,

» It must have been BIG money because you will see that

» medallion on almost all of the vistas of cuban brands

» Bolivar

» Punch

» Por Larranaga

» RyJ

» Partagas

» H.Upmann

» Ramon Allones

» Hoyo de Monterrey

»

» These have all won medallions at International Expos.

» in Belgium

Very informative and interesting info all! Thanks :-)

[zuma]

» Hi perfectform,

» ... from what I know medallions on the band are from International Expos where the brand won medals and prizes for their quality, such as expos in Paris, London, New York or Belgium.

I reckon laficion is on the money, as old marcas (wine, mineral waters, cigars) tend to bear in their branding the gold medallions won at international expos before WWII... IMHO, it does not necessarily mean that the brand, or their then owners, endorsed the policies of the government or head of state of where the fair took place (Bloody Leo, in this case... Belgium may have been a hub of tobacco, and tobacco products, trade at the time). Just like any athlete that'll win a medal at the olympics won't necessarily be endorsing you know who.