Postage stamps and postal history of Cuba facts for kids
Cuba is an island country in the Caribbean Sea. It includes the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and many smaller island groups. Havana is Cuba's largest city and its capital. This article explores the history of postage stamps and mail services in Cuba. Stamps can tell us a lot about a country's history and culture.
Contents
First Stamps and Mail History
The first stamps used in Cuba were actually shared with Puerto Rico. They came out in April 1855. People called these stamps the "Antilles" stamps. At first, stamps showed the picture of Queen Isabella II of Spain. This continued until she stepped down from power in 1868.
Cuba started having its own separate stamps in 1873. For a while, stamps only said "ULTRAMAR," which means "overseas." The word "CUBA" first appeared on stamps in 1877. From 1876 to 1880, stamps featured King Alfonso XII. After him, stamps showed his son, Alfonso XIII, as a baby. This baby king was nicknamed el pelón (baldie) because his hairline looked like it was already receding! Finally, in 1898, stamps showed a young Alfonso XIII with more hair.
Postal cards for Cuba were printed in Spain starting in 1878. The United States got involved in Cuba's war for independence from 1898 to 1902. During this time, special stamped envelopes and newspaper wrappers became available in Cuba.
Stamps of the Cuban Republic
The government of the República de Cuba (Republic of Cuba) issued stamps from 1902 until Fidel Castro took control on January 1, 1959. The first stamps from the Republic came out on September 30, 1902. Cuba did not have new stamps printed yet. Instead, they used many leftover 3-cent allegory stamps from 1899.
To meet the need for 1-cent postage, they printed a large "1" on these stamps. They also added the words "UN CENTAVO" (one cent) and "HABILITADO" (enabled) and "OCTUBRE 1902" (October 1902). Cubans continued to use the 1899 allegory stamps. In 1905, four of these stamps were reprinted for Cuba in the United States. The printer made small changes to each stamp so they could be told apart from the originals.
The last stamps from the Republic before the revolution were Christmas stamps. They were 2-cent and 4-cent stamps issued on December 16, 1958. The Republic had issued many different stamps. This included 380 regular postage stamps, 194 airmail stamps, 27 special delivery stamps, 34 postal tax stamps, and 10 postage due stamps.
Stamps in the Castro Era
After the Castro era began, the number of stamps from Cuba grew a lot. Many topical stamps were made. These stamps often show specific themes like animals, sports, or famous people. Postal cards also became very common. About thirty aerograms (special airmail letters) have been produced. Many postal stationery Mother's Day cards have been made, sometimes 20 or more per year. Now there are hundreds of different Mother's Day cards.
Images for kids
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An 1855 stamp depicting the portrait of Isabel II.
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Cuban allegory stamps of 1871 produced after the abdication of Isabel II. The value is 25 céntimos de peseta.
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The 1898 provisional "Puerto Príncipe" overprint.
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A 1910 stamp of Cuba.
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An 1873 stamp depicting King Amadeo I.
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An 1878 stamp depicting King Alfonso XII.
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An 1891 stamp depicting King Alfonso XIII as a baby.
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An 1898 stamp depicting King Alfonso XIII.
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The first Cuban postal card of 1878 bearing the portrait of King Alfonso XII.
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Cuban newspaper stamps of 1896 with el pelón portrait of Alfonso XIII.
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Provisional overprint for Cuba, 1899.
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Provisional overprint for Cuba, 1899.
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Provisional overprint for Cuba, 1899.
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Provisional overprint for Cuba, 1899.
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Provisional overprint for Cuba, 1899.
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Provisional special delivery overprint for Cuba, 1899.
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An 1899 stamp depicting Columbus.
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An 1899 stamp depicting the Cuban royal palms.
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An 1899 stamp depicting the personification of Cuba.
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An 1899 stamp featuring a steamship.
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An 1899 stamp featuring a field plowed by oxen.
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An 1899 special delivery stamp featuring a messenger on bicycle.
