Invitation to Celebrate Cuban Stamp Day

The Cerro Philatelic Circle invites you to join a special event in celebration of Cuban Stamp Day, taking place at the José Martí National Library’s Circulating Room on Wednesday, April 16, at 10:00 a.m. Admission is free.

During the event, attendees will have the chance to explore the deep connection between postage stamps and Cuba’s history. The official celebration of Cuban Stamp Day falls on April 24, a date dedicated to honoring the pioneers of the nation’s postal service.

It was on that same day in 1855 that Cuba’s first postage stamp entered circulation, marking the advent of prepaid postage through adhesive stamps and the use of cancellation marks.

These milestones were pivotal not only for the advancement of the postal system but also for the rise of philately. The stamp, which was also used in Puerto Rico and the Philippines, carried a face value of five cents (half a real de plata) and featured the likeness of Queen Isabella II of Spain.

The introduction of postage stamps was part of a broader effort to modernize postal services in the 19th century, reflecting initiatives to improve administrative and communication infrastructures in the Spanish colonies. Today, these stamps are highly prized by collectors, cherished not only for their rarity but also for their historical significance within the colonial context.

Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez