1899 Cuba Scott E1 “Mensajero Azul” 10c Special Delivery Stamp – U.S. Occupation

Original 1899 Cuba “Mensajero Azul” Special Delivery Stamp

A desirable example of Cuba’s famous “Mensajero Azul” (Blue Messenger) Special Delivery stamp, issued in 1899 during the United States administration of Cuba.

This issue was created by overprinting the United States 10-cent blue Special Delivery “Running Messenger” stamp in red with “CUBA / 10c. / de PESO.” It is cataloged as Scott E1 and is one of the distinctive postal issues associated with the U.S. intervention period in Cuba.

Known among Cuban philatelists as El Mensajero Azul, the stamp served as an interim Special Delivery issue before Cuba received its own newly designed Special Delivery stamp later in 1899. Cuban philatelic literature specifically identifies Scott E1 by this popular name.

The stamp features the dramatic running postal messenger design surrounded by the inscription “United States Special Postal Delivery – Secures Immediate Delivery at Any Post Office.”

Details: Cuba, 1899; U.S. Administration / Occupation period; 10 centavos Special Delivery; Scott E1; blue engraved stamp with red Cuba surcharge; unused appearance with gum present.

Condition: Antique philatelic condition as photographed. The front retains strong visual appeal with a clearly visible red surcharge. The reverse shows aged/disturbed gum, toning, staining and other evidence of previous storage. Perforations show age-related irregularities. Please examine all front and back photographs carefully; they form an important part of the condition description.

An evocative survivor from a transitional period in Cuban postal history and an appealing addition to a specialized collection of Cuban stamps, U.S. occupation issues, Caribbean postal history, or 19th-century philately.

You will receive the exact stamp shown in the photographs.