Big Blue 1840-1940: Cuba - Bud's Big Blue

"El Cubo" Cigars

Bud's Big Blue
Bud's Observations

Cuba (aka Ultramar, aka Caribbean Island) is, at the moment, difficult to collect. The US trade embargo against Cuba spooks eBay so that they do not sell anything with Cuba’s name on it. Some sellers have substituted “Caribbean Island” in their item titles for Cuba, but only a few. Actually, it’s more than a spook. EBay was fined severely for selling some Cuban goods, but it wasn’t stamps. The thawing of US-Cuba relations should have changed eBay’s policy by now (1/1/17), but it hasn’t. When it gets sorted out, buying Cuban stamps should become easier.

Census: 234 in BB spaces, 32 tipped-in, 38 on supplement page

Jim's Observations
Cuba gives one three different philatelic eras: the Spanish Possession stamps (1855-98), the U.S. Intervention stamps (1898-99), and the Republic stamps (1899-1940). Big Blue, for the most part, provides a nice selection. The stamps, save for the early surcharged 1898-99 U.S. Administration (Scott 176-220), are quite reasonable in price.

Interesting Note: The 1890 Cuban Spanish possession stamp issues with a portrait of King Alfonso XIII shows a "child". That is because he was! He was proclaimed King at his birth in 1886, with his mother Queen Maria Christina appointed regent. In 1902, at age 16, the King assumed control of the state.

Cuba Blog Post and Checklist

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