It’s 1961.
And behind the rhetoric.
Behind the bravado.
And behind the beard...
Fidel Castro is worried.
More than worried. He’s scared.
Castro: slept with one eye open
He knows that every day, there are men, women and whole countries out there trying to kill him.
The CIA have already tried exploding cigars. A flesh-eating wetsuit. A poison-laced ice cream.
Who knows what’s next?
So he takes preventative measures. Castro:
- Tightens his security: Castro is now always surrounded by bodyguards
- Constantly moves: Castro changes his location regularly, both in Cuba and abroad, to make it difficult for potential assassins to track him down
- Begins using disguises and body doubles: To make it harder for would-be assassins to identify him
- Employs a food and drink tester: To ensure no-one has slipped poison into his wine
- Builds secret underground bunkers: Equipped with communication systems, weapons, and medical supplies, in case of an attack
And Castro takes two more precautions...
(And this is where things get really interesting for you.)
- Castro personally writes his name on his possessions: so they can’t be switched with a replica that will blow him up or poison him
- He builds a close relationship with the Soviet Union: the USSR provide him with intelligence and protective equipment to survive assassination attempts
What sort of protective equipment, you ask?
Protective equipment such as this impossibly scarce item you can buy today at Paul Fraser Collectibles.
So scarce: Own the Castro-worn helmet that helped him cheat death
This is one of two helmets the Soviet Union gave Fidel Castro (the other is believed lost or destroyed).
Fidel Castro's helmet: a gift from the Soviet Union
The Soviet Union sent the helmets to Castro in 1961.
They formed part of a large Soviet consignment of protective military equipment for Castro. To help keep Castro uninjured if he came under attack.
Photo evidence
Castro was first seen in public wearing one of the two helmets in 1963. When he travelled to the worst hit parts of Cuba that had been destroyed by Hurricane Flora - which killed 1,750 Cubans.
You can see Castro wearing one of the two helmets in this 1963 photo of him viewing the devastation.
Fidel Castro viewing the aftermath of Hurricane Flora in 1963 - wearing one of the two military helmets the Soviets gave him
Castro wrote his name on the inner fabric to protect himself.
Fidel Castro signs his name in the helmet to protect against booby-trapped duplicates
The signature is so clear and crisp. I’ve fully authenticated it.
Castro wrote the name of his young daughter, Alina, inside as well.
Castro also inscribed the inside with “Ciclon Flora Cuba 1963”, to remind him of the hurricane.Fidel Castro signs "Ciclon Flora Cuba 1963", to remind him of the terrible hurricane
You can see the helmet shows a huge amount of use by Castro. With marks and scratches to the paint. Fantastic.
The helmet shows a pleasing amount of use by Fidel Castro
So scarce
I can’t state it strongly enough. Just how rare Fidel Castro-worn items are.
I’ve seen just three appear for auction elsewhere this millennium: two shirts and a beret.
The helmet retains its original fabricAnd examples with this sensational level of provenance and importance are just unheard of.
Because this item has cast-iron authenticity.
We sourced it from British businessman Gary Shannon, who knew the Castro family and their associates for 20+ years from circa 2000. Mr Shannon helped provide technology and communications infrastructure to Cuba.
He acquired the helmet at the estate sale of Fidel Castro's mistress Natty Revuelta Clews, between December 2015 and July 2016.
The helmet came from the 2015 estate sale of Castro's long-term mistress Natty Revuelta Clews
Natty Revuelta Clews (1925 – 2015) was the mistress of Fidel Castro from 1955 until her death. Their daughter, Alina (whose name Castro writes in the helmet), was born in 1956.
Whatever your opinion of Fidel Castro…
…You cannot deny the extraordinary, destabilising role he played in 20th century politics.
It’s why you must seriously consider this piece for your collection. A helmet that:
- Castro wore to protect himself from attack
- Castro signed with his own hand
- Bears strong photo provenance
Today, on the 64th anniversary of the day Castro became premier of Cuba…
This is your opportunity.
What price for this item, do you think?
Consider the rarity. Consider its importance to the Castro story. Consider its cast-iron provenance.
£10,000? £15,000? £20,000?
It is yours for just £6,950 ($8,365).
I managed to source it for a low price. So I can sell it to you for a low price.
Buy the Castro-worn helmet now
You can also:
- Call me on +44 (0)117 933 9500
- Email info@paulfrasercollectibles.com
Don’t miss out.
Thank you for reading,
Paul
PS. You get my 28-day no-quibble returns if you don’t love it, and my Lifetime Moneyback Guarantee of Authenticity when you do.
PPS. Did I mention you also get my personal certificate of authenticity and free, fully-insured global delivery?
