c.1908 Santiago de Cuba Market Street Scene – Harris Bros. No. 48 Postcard

Antique c.1908 postcard depicting The Market in Santiago de Cuba, published by Harris Bros. Co., Habana during the early Republic of Cuba.

Captioned “48 – The Market, Santiago de Cuba,” this richly detailed street scene captures everyday commercial life in the city, with numerous pedestrians, market activity, horse-drawn carts and the long colonnaded market building lining a cobblestone street.

The reverse bears the early “República de Cuba – Tarjeta Postal – Union Postale Universelle” divided-back design and identifies Harris Bros. Co., Habana as the publisher.

A handwritten period message comments on the unusual construction of Cuban shops, noting that the stores “never have any doors or windows.” It is signed “J.H.M.” with “Write soon.” The card does not appear to have been postally mailed.

Comparable examples of this Harris Bros. market view are documented from 1908, providing strong evidence for an early-20th-century date.

Details:
Publisher: Harris Bros. Co., Habana
Card No.: 48
Subject: The Market, Santiago de Cuba
Date: c.1908
Type: Color photomechanical postcard
Back: Divided back
Postal use: Unmailed; handwritten message

Condition: Good antique condition with expected age-related toning and surface wear. There is visible wear and discoloration along the left front edge, light corner and edge wear, and minor surface marks. The reverse contains period handwriting but no postage stamp or cancellation. The image remains colorful and highly detailed. Please review photographs for exact condition.

A particularly engaging early Cuban postcard documenting street life, commerce and transportation in Santiago de Cuba more than a century ago.