Wow, so many responses, where do I start.
First, as some of you figured out I got this prize off Ebad for $75 from a seller with zero feed back and a no return policy, so it was a gamble. I contacted him and asked some key questions, like does dust come out of the box, does it seem solid, etc. and took the risk, I had equal odds of getting a package of dried crumbled cigars with the wrapper falling off, so it's a hind site good deal, but could have gone the other way.
To those who are curius about dating and verifying boxes, old check out this link it's a great tool with lots of info on what to look for and common fakes to stay away from. But with tax stamps, factory makrings, warning labels etc, you can get down to the year on many boxes, and a good range on most others.
http://www.cigarhistory.info/Site/NCM_HOME.html
As for pricing, when you take the risk of getting crumpled unsmokable cigars out of the equation, check out what Gotham has for sale and you'll get a good idea of going rates.
http://gotham-cigar-museum.com/default.aspx
As for when a reveiw is likely, dam that is a hard one, see I'm in love with this notion of smoking a 100 year old cigar, and I'm more in love with the idea of sharing a box of 100 year old cigars with friends, and I'm sure when the time comes brothers. So, if the romantic part of me wins out it may be another ten years before I light one up. This box is also very special, since I know the exact date it was packed 12-13-1919 so I could even do a birthday for it.
I just don't know if I can wait that long, and I don't know if I can bring myself to break the box before it hit's a hundred either. It's the kind of pickle that makes collecting and smoking very old cigars such a joy for me. It may be an amazing cigar, but it may also be one of your last one's ever.
I've got at least six months before I've got to worry about it anyway, and how the box smells will likley be what breaks my will if it does, it's already waking up after just going into the humidor.
