Cuba – Spanish colonial issues

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

 * In 1855, imperf designs with the portrait of Isabella II facing to right were issued on blue paper. They are only inscribed CORREOS and denominated in "RL. PLATA F" (real de plata forte).
 * In 1855-56, two values were surcharged Y and ¼. The "Y" stands for "Ynterior". The Y exists in two types, "normal" and narrow. Forgeries exist.
 * In 1856, three values were issued on crossed lines watermarked paper.
 * In 1857, three values were issued on smooth white unwatermarked paper.
 * In 1860, a wide Y surcharge was issued.
 * In 1862-64, new designs were issued, now with the portrait facing left.

 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 
 * In 1866, the ¼r value was overprinted with a large 66. The overprint has been forged.
 * In 1866, new designs denominated in centavos was issued, with "1866" in the bottom tablet.
 * In 1867, the previous designs were issued perfed with year date revised to "1867".
 * In 1868, new designs were issued with a circular vignette and inscribed ULTRAMAR. These were dated "1868".
 * In late 1868, Isabella II was deposed and a provisional government was assembled.
 * However, in 1869, a new set of the previous Isabella designs was issued in new colors and dated "1869".

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" File:Cuba P Rico 50c 1871.jpg|1871 50c value 
 * In late 1868, Isabella stamps dated that year were handstamped HABILITADO / POR LA /NACION. When the 1869 Isabella designs were released, they were similarly soon overprinted likewise.
 * In 1870, designs with the allegorical head of "España" were issued. These are inscribed CORREOS.
 * In 1871, designs with a seated "España" were issued with ULTRAMAR 1871 in a banner at top.

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 again 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 
 * In 1875, a coat of arms set was issued, inscribed ULTRAMAR · 1875.
 * In 1876, designs with the portrait of Alfonso XII were issued, inscribed CUBA · 1877. Similar sets were issued in 1877 and 1878 with year dates changed as needed.
 * In 1880, new portrait designs were issued with the side panels removed, inscribed CUBA 1880.
 * In 1882, revised designs were issued, ow with just CUBA in the top tablet.

 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 
 * In 1883, stamps of the previous issue were surcharged in new values and/or overprinted with five different fancy scrollwork patterns in red and in blue.
 * In 1883-86, designs with retouched portraits were issued.
 * In 1888, three values in new colors were released.

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 the meantime in 1888, three values with a Alfonso XII's portrait were issued.
 * In 1890-97, stamps with the portrait of a very young Alfonso XIII were issued, inscribed ISLA DE CUBA. This was the "Baby" issue.
 * In 1898, a series with a new portrait facing to left 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.A.webp|1894 4m value </Gallery>
 * 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.