Cuba — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

Correos de Cuba is Cuba’s national postal operator. Cuban philatelic history spans three distinct periods: Spanish colonial stamps (1855–1898), a brief US administration period (1899–1902), and the Republic of Cuba including the revolutionary period from 1959. Cuba’s revolutionary-era stamps are among the most politically significant and widely collected in Latin America — documenting Fidel Castro’s revolution, Che Guevara’s campaigns, the Space Race, and Cold War ideology through colourful and technically accomplished stamp issues.

Notable Stamp Issues

Cuba’s first stamps under Spanish rule in 1855 depicted Queen Isabella II — typical of Spanish colonial philatelic practice. US administration stamps overprinted “CUBA” on American stamps (1899–1900) bridge the colonial and republican periods. Cuban Republic stamps began 1902. Revolutionary Cuba’s stamps from 1959 onwards documented Ernesto “Che” Guevara, the Bay of Pigs (from the Cuban perspective), solidarity with liberation movements, and Soviet-Cuban space cooperation. The 1965 Che Guevara memorial stamps are internationally famous.

Collecting Tips

Scott Latin America catalogue covers Cuban stamps. Spanish colonial Cuban stamps (1855–1898) are a rich specialist area — many of the same designs were used in Puerto Rico. The US administration stamps (1899–1902) are popular with US collectors. Revolutionary Cuban stamps are the most internationally collected — Che Guevara, space, sport, and political themes attract collectors across many categories. Export of Cuban stamps may be subject to restrictions depending on the collector’s country of residence.

Part of the Americas Postal Directory.