Mr. Elliott opened the lid to display the inner workings of the chest humidor, which had three storage
levels and a price tag that was clearly visible to my better half. Douglas went on to explain to me how
these humidors were made in France by the same family that started the company decades before.
I looked back at my wife, whose eyes were the size
of tea saucers as she looked at the £1,800 price tag.
About $2,400 if my memory serves me correctly.
Her head was quickly moving from right to left in
a way that left no doubt, this box was out of our
price range and out of the question.
Mr. Elliott was undeterred and continued to
point out the quality of the humidor in question.
Feeling like I was taking up far too much of his
time, I pointed out to him that I could not afford
such a fantastic box. His response was - and I shall
never forget it as long as I live: “Sir, my time is
your time and you may not be able to afford this
humidor now, but you may in the future and I
want you to know everything you need to know
for that purpose.”
I finally left the store with my cigars; an Elie
Bleu catalogue and a greater understanding and
appreciation of humidors.
One week later, the City of Los Angeles
experienced one of the worst civil disorders
in its history. As with everyone in the police
department, I was in the thick of it, working 12
hour shifts and no days off.
After a month of this taxing schedule, I came
home to have an early night when my wife told
me she had some good news… Not only had my
overtime hours paid off our trip to London, but
there was enough left over to buy that Elie Bleu
Humidor.
By 6.00 the following morning I was in the office
of the Chief of Police asking his secretary how I
could call The Davidoff Shop in London.
On the other end of the line the gentlemanly Mr.
Douglas Elliot assured me that he remembered
me and my interest in the humidor. The deal
was done with Mr. Elliot confirming his excellent
memory: “I told you that you might be able to
afford it someday.”
The Humidor has rested in my office from the
day it was delivered and is affectionately known
as: “The box that Rodney bought.” Named after
Rodney King, the man the riots were centered
around.
Douglas Elliot not only sold me a humidor,
he became a lifelong friend, who a year later
introduced me to the owner of Davidoff’s of
London, Edward Sahakian.
Edward has become one of my dearest friends and
surrogate brother. He is one of the reasons my
wife and I visit London once or twice a year. My
wife heads off happily to a West End matinee most
afternoons whilst I visit Edward at the Davidoff
shop where we sample a cigar or two and catch up
on our news.
Douglas Elliot, Dougie, as he was known to his
friends, passed away on 23 January 2012. Sadly
missed, he left me with great memories… of
himself; an Elie Bleu Humidor; a wonderful
surrogate brother and a hole in my heart where he
used to reside.
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