Archive of 6 antique Cuban postcards from 1919–1922 connected to Ernestina and Rafael Castro in Havana, with handwritten messages and period imagery.

Original antique postcard mailed from Havana, Cuba in 1926, retaining its original Cuban postage stamp and period handwritten message.

This attractive photographic postcard depicts an elegantly dressed young woman holding flowers, with delicate hand-colored details highlighting her clothing and bouquet.

The reverse is particularly interesting from a Cuban postal-history perspective. The card retains an original Republic of Cuba 1-centavo José Martí postage stamp and a clearly visible Habana, Cuba postmark dated September 23, 1926.

The handwritten Spanish message offers congratulations to Mercedes González on her saint's day and is signed by her friend Jacoba González.

The postcard itself is marked “Made in Italy,” illustrating the international production and circulation of photographic postcards that were subsequently sold and used in Cuba during the early 20th century.

Postal & Historical Details

• Date: 1926
• Postmark: Habana, Cuba
• Postage: Republic of Cuba 1 Centavo José Martí stamp
• Recipient: Mercedes González
• Address: San Emeterio No. 27, Cimarrón
• Message: Handwritten in Spanish
• Sender/signature: Jacoba González
• Card manufacture: Made in Italy
• Type: Photographic / hand-colored sentimental postcard
• Status: Postally used

The combination of the original Cuban stamp, Havana cancellation, dated correspondence and handwritten address gives the card additional interest as an authentic piece of Republic-era Cuban postal and social history.

Condition

Antique circulated condition with substantial signs of age and handling, including surface scratches and rubbing, edge and corner wear, spotting/toning on the reverse, small losses to the image surface, and a small hole near the upper edge. The Cuban stamp remains attached and the Havana cancellation and handwriting remain legible.

Please examine the photographs carefully; the postcard pictured is the exact example offered for sale.