Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an island east of the island of Hispanola and the Dominican Republic. It is currently a Commonwealth of the United States so that it can be thoroughly ignored by that country.

Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony since the time of Columbus. It was sold to the United States following the Spanish-American War. The island used many of the same issues of Cuba' through the reign of King Amadeo (to February 1873). Usage by one or the other can only be proven by town cancels.'

Isabella II issues
 File:Cuba number one.jpg|1855 ½ real value File:Cuba 2r 1856.jpg|1856 2r value File:Cuba 1864 quarter r.jpg|1864 ¼r value File:Cuba 1868 rose.jpg|1868 40c value 
 * 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 1856, three values were issued on crossed lines watermarked paper.
 * In 1857, three values were issued on smooth white unwatermarked paper.
 * In 1864, new designs were issued, now with the portrait facing left.
 * In 1868, new designs were issued, now with a circular vignette and inscribed ULTRAMAR. These were dated "1868".

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 1869, Isabella stamps dated that year were handstamped HABILITADO / POR LA /NACION.
 * In 1870, three values with designs showing the allegorical head of "España" were issued. These are inscribed CORREOS.
 * In 1871, three values with designs of 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|50c Amadeo 
 * In 1873, stamps with the portrait of Amadeo were issued. These were inscribed ULTRAMAR 1873. They came in 25c, 50c and 1 peseta values. The overprints have been forged.

First Spanish Republic issues
In February 1873, Amadeo abdicated. A republican government was established.  File:Puerto R 1874 ovpt.jpg|1874 25c with control overprint 
 * Also in 1873, the three Amadeo values were issued with a signature-style overprint. This was repeated in 1874 with a different overprint on the 1874 25c seated España. Both overprints have been forged.

Alfonso XII issues
In November 1874, Alfonso XII became king of Spain.  File:Puerto R 1875 ovpt.jpg|1875 25c value with control overprint File:Puerto 1876 ovpt.jpg|1876 25c value with overprint File:Puerto R 1877 25c.jpg|1877 25c value File:Puerto R 1880 25c.jpg|1880 25c value File:Puerto R 1882 half c.jpg|1882 ½c value 
 * In 1875, the 25, 50c and 1p coat of arms design used for Cuba were overprinted for use in Puerto Rico with a (different) signature-style design. Thse have been forged.
 * in 1876, this was again done with a different overprint on Cuban 1876 Alfonso XII stamps.
 * In 1877, new designs with the king's portrait were issued, inscribed PTO - RICO · 1877. In 1878 and 1879, similar designs were issued except with different year dates included.
 * In 1880, designs with changed portraits were issued, now inscribed PUERTO-RICO 1880. The same designw as issued in 1881 with the year date changed.
 * In 1882-86, similar designs were issued, now with just PUERTO-RICO in the top tablet

Alfonso XIII issues
In May 1886, Alfonso XIII became king of Spain. After the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Cuba was ceded to the United States.  File:Puerto R 2m Baby.jpg|1894 2 mils Baby File:Puerto 1898 6c.jpg|1898 6c value File:Puerto 1898 Hab rose.jpg|2c value with rose overprint 
 * In 1890-97, designs depicting a very young Alfonso XIII were issued. This is known as the Baby issue.
 * In 1893, a Columbus stamp was issued, valid for only one day. There are several different forgeries. Genuine stamps are perf 12 and forgeries are not.
 * In 1898, a series with a new portrait facing to left was issued, now inscribed Psmall>TO.-RICO · 1898 Y 99.
 * Also in 1898, obsolete Baby stamps were overprinted Habilitado / PARA / 1898 y 1899.

War tax stamps
 File:Puerto R war tax ovpt.jpg|5c ith violet overprint 
 * In 1898, "Baby" low values were handstamp overprinted IMPUESTO / DE GUERRA. in violet, rose or magenta.