Cuba – Spanish colonial issues

under construction

Cuba was a Spanish colony since the 1400s.

Note that the stamps up to the 1873 Amadeo issue, were also used in Puerto Rico, with a few exceptions. Determining usage in one or the other is only possible by identifiable cancels.

Isabella II issues
 File:Cuba number one.jpg|1855 ½ real blue paper File:Cuba 2r 1856.jpg|1856 2r value File:Cuba Y and quarter.jpg|1860 ¼p on 2r surcharge File:Cuba 1864 quarter r.jpg|1864 ¼r value File:Cuba 1966 40c.jpg|1866 40c value File:Cuba 66 ovpt II.jpg|1866 "66" overprint File:Cuba 1868 rose.jpg|1868 40c value File:Cuba 40c 1869.jpg|1869 40c value 

Provisional government and Duke de la Torre Regency issues
In late 1868, Spain deposed Isabella II. A provisional goverment was set up, later becoming a regency under the Duke de la Torre in June 1869 until a new monarch could be selected.  File:Cuba del la torre 40c.jpg|1870 40c head of España 

Amadeo issues
In January 1871, Amadeo (Amadeo I) became king of Spain.  File:Cuba 1873 50c.jpg|1873 50c value 
 * In 1873, stamps with the portrait of Amadeo were issued, inscribed ULTRAMAR AÑO 1873.

First Spanish Republic issues
In February 1873, Amadeo abdicated. A republican government was established.  File:Cuba 1874 Spain allegory.jpg|1874 25c seated España 
 * In 1874, the seated "España" design was issued, this time inscribed ULTRAMAR 1874.

Alfonso XII issues
In November 1874, Alfonso XII became king of Spain.  File:Cuba 1875 shield.jpg|1875 1p arms File:Cuba 12.5c 1876.jpg|1876 12½c value File:Cuba 1877 50c.jpg|1877 50c value File:Cuba 1p 1878.jpg|1878 1 peseta value File:Cuba 1880.jpg|1880 10c value File:Cuba 2.5c 1882.jpg|1882 2½c value File:Cuba 5 0n 5 fancy D.jpg|1883 5c on 5c surcharge File:Cuba 10c fancy overprint.jpg|1883 10c on 10c fancy surcharge File:Cuba 10 fancy B.jpg|1883 10c on 10c surcharge, yet another type File:Cuba 20 on 20 fancy C.jpg|1883 20c on 20c surcharge File:Cuba fancy on 20c E.jpg|1883 fancy overprint on 20c value 

Alfonso XIII isues
In May 1886, Alfonso XIII became king of Spain.  File:Cuba 5c.jpg|1891 5c Baby File:Cuba 10 Baby II.jpg|1898 10c value 
 * In 1890-97, stamps with the portrait of Alfonso XIII were issued, inscribed ISLA DE CUBA.
 * In 1898, a series with a new portrait was issued, now inscribed CUBA 1898 Y 99.
 * After the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Cuba was ceded to the United States]]

Newspaper stamps
 File:Cuba baby newsp.jpg|1894 4m value 
 * In 1888, an issue with the portrait of Alfonso XI was issued, inscribed CUBA - IMPRESOS. All values were in black.
 * In 1890, an issue with Alfonso XIII was issued, the "Baby" portrait, with all values in red brown.
 * In 1892, the previous design was issued in violet.
 * In 1894, the 1890 design was issued in rose.
 * In 1896, the 1890 design was issued in blue green.