I know what you mean. I had to think very carefully through all scenarios. In the end, I don't collect cigars. So, my choice was to smoke the cigars and use the box as planned, or try to sell it intact for a profit. And between those choices, I couldn't turn down the opportunity to smoke them. Even though there was a really, really good chance they would be in terrible shape.
I'll use the box to carry small cigars when I need to transport my own smokes. When it's not used for that, it'll serve as a stand to display my Disneyland Tobacco Shop matchbook, and others that I acquire. There are two more versions of the matchbooks that I've seen, and I intend to get both of them eventually, along with any others I can find.