Cuban airmail aerogram (aerograma), space theme, 15 c, 1986 — unused

Object/Artifact

-

Archive of Cuban Socialism

Name/Title

Cuban airmail aerogram (aerograma), space theme, 15 c, 1986 — unused

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.202

Description

A single sheet of lightweight postal stationery designed to fold into its own envelope (aerogram/aerogramme), shown unfolded and flat. The paper has an allover pale geometric security tint. The main address panel carries, at upper left, a blue-and-red label reading "AEROGRAMA / AEROGRAMME / VIA AEREA · PAR AVION"; a color illustration of a Soviet-type orbital spacecraft/station (solar panels, docking module) against a blue starfield; five ruled address lines at center; and, at upper right, an imprinted (printed-on) diamond-shaped stamp showing a cosmonaut in a space helmet lettered in Cyrillic, inscribed "CUBA / aéreo / 1986 / 15." The gummed closure flap (printed upside-down relative to the panel) carries a "Remite" (sender) line and a notice about enclosures. Dotted lines mark the folds/cuts. The piece is blank/unused — no address, message, postmark, or cancellation.

Use

Obtained at work by María A. Arús Caraballo, who worked as a librarian and used aerogrammes to communicate with foreign partners.

Collection

The Cabrera Arús family collection, María A. Arús Caraballo collection

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Notes

María A Arús Caraballo, who worked at the Academia de Ciencias emeroteca, used aerogrammes to communicate with libraries abroad and brought some home, which she almost never used because it was not common to correspond with persons abroad.

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Correos de Cuba

Date made

1986

Time Period

1980s

Place

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Notes

Panel: "AEROGRAMA / AEROGRAMME"; "VIA AEREA · PAR AVION"; imprinted stamp "CUBA / aéreo / 1986 / 15"; five ruled address lines. Flap: "Remite" with ruled sender line; postal notice (transcribed): "SI SE INCLUYERE ALGUN OTRO OBJETO EL AEROGRAMA SERA CURSADO POR VIA DE SUPERFICIE." (i.e., if any other object is enclosed, the aerogram will be sent by surface mail). No handwriting, address, or cancellation.

Materials

Material

Paper

Material Notes

Materials: Thin wood-pulp airmail/aerogram paper; offset-printed inks; gummed edges (gum not imaged). Technique: Offset lithography on pre-scored, die-cut aerogram stock with printed imprinted stamp; gummed flaps for self-sealing.

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

María A. Arús Caraballo

Notes

owner

Related Places

Place

City

Havana

Country

Cuba

Region

Caribbean, Central America

Notes

acquisition

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

May 8, 2026

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

June 18, 2026