Name/Title
Matchbox, Empresa Cubana del Tabaco (Cubatabaco), with fire-prevention sloganEntry/Object ID
2025.11.10Description
Small two-piece slide-open box (inner drawer + outer sleeve) of kraft/chipboard, matchbox format. The top panel is printed in red and blue: a red roundel encloses a blue oval bearing white text "UN INCENDIO SIEMPRE PUEDE EVITARSE," set against blue and white bands. One long side panel carries, in blue, "EMPRESA CUBANA DEL TABACO" beside a stylized tobacco-leaf logo lettered "CUBATABACO." A visible end panel is printed "APÁGALO" in red, continuing the safety message. Contents (matches) and the striking surface are not visible in this view.Acquisition
Accession
2025.11Acquisition Method
PurchaseMade/Created
Manufacturer
CubatabacoPlace
City
HavanaCountry
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaNotes
Maker: Empresa Cubana del Tabaco (Cubatabaco), the Cuban state tobacco monopoly. The company was formed in 1962, after the Cuban tobacco industry had been nationalized by Fidel Castro's socialist government. Wikipedia
Date: Circa 1962 or later.Inscription/Signature/Marks
Notes
Top: "UN INCENDIO SIEMPRE PUEDE EVITARSE" (white on blue oval) — "A fire can always be prevented."
End: "APÁGALO" (red) — "Put it out."
Side: "EMPRESA CUBANA DEL TABACO" with tobacco-leaf logo lettered "CUBATABACO."Materials
Material Notes
Materials: Kraft/chipboard cardboard; printed ink in red and blue.
Technique: Die-cut and folded two-piece slide box; two-color printed label.Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
CubatabacoNotes
producerRelated Places
Place
City
HavanaCountry
CubaRegion
Caribbean, Central AmericaNotes
useCreated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsCreate Date
August 25, 2025Updated By
María A. Cabrera ArúsUpdate Date
June 11, 2026
