This book is for all cigar aesthetes, the smoker passionately fond of ""puros"" as the Cubans call them with infinite respect. During the 19th century when gentlemen wore white gloves at society gatherings, tobacco often left dirty stains on their fingers because of the tobacco leaves which covered their cigars. Therefore, they asked their suppliers to surround them with a paper band for protection. Those bands became the armorial signet ring that identified a man. Recognition of a social status, commemorative symbol or, more simply, a mark of quality, the cigar band developed its own codification. Brilliant artists have lent their talent to create them. The collection represented is exceptional. These cigar bands tell us part of the story of the last 150 years, from the general of the Civil War, the Presidents of the United States of America, the Emperors of Germany to the delicate flowers reproduced by craftsmen.