A Soviet Union military helmet worn and signed by Fidel Castro.
History
This is one of just two helmets the Soviet Union gifted to Fidel Castro in 1961.
It formed part of a Soviet consignment of protective military equipment that Castro used.
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.
Before he wore the military helmet, like all of his property, Castro wrote his name inside.
On this occasion he also wrote the name of his 7-year-old daughter, Alina.
Castro later inscribed on the inside “Ciclon Flora Cuba 1963”, to remind him of the hurricane.
Provenance
Acquired by the previous owner at the estate sale of Fidel Castro's mistress Natty Revuelta Clews, between December 2015 and July 2016.
The previous owner is British businessman Mr 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.
The item formed part of Mr Shannon’s private Jagdamer Museum of Castro and Guevara memorabilia, from 2016 to 2020.
Natty Revuelta Clews (December 26, 1925 – February 27, 2015) was the mistress of Fidel Castro from 1955 until her death. Their daughter, Alina, was born in 1956.
Revuelta - a wealthy socialite - was instrumental in assisting Castro overthrow the Batista regime in Cuba.
Revuelta sold her jewels to support the Cuban rebels, helped plan the 26th of July Movement uprising in 1953 and, crucially, helped Fidel Castro co-ordinate the Cuban Revolution while he was imprisoned between 1953 and 1955, through exchanging secret messages with Castro.
The pair began their affair upon Castro’s release from prison in May 1955.
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