Originally published online in September 2003. Retrospectively converted from HTML to EAD XML September, 2008 by Lyn MacCorkle and Kyle Rimkus based on a crosswalk by María Estorino.

Finding aid subject terms assigned by Ana D. Rodriguez, February 2013.

When postcards were first produced in the mid-1800s, they became popular instantly as a quick and affordable means of communication. By the 1890s, several developments converged to give rise to the popularity and widespread use of postcards: changes in postal regulations, the widespread use of photography, and improved printing techniques.

In the early part of the 20th century, postcards were printed predominantly in Germany and the United States. A publisher commissioned postcards either from a printer's existing stock of images or from a local photographer. Many businesses such as hotels stores, and restaurants commissioned postcards to promote their services and products.

Postcards were popular because they served as souvenirs, a means of communication, could be used for advertising, and were highly collectible. To today's researcher, they convey bits of information about the people and places they depict. Postcards inform about tourism, industries and occupations, transportation, urban and rural life, people, local architecture, buildings and monuments, and events.

The Cuban Postcard Collection is a continuously growing collection of postcards of Cuba and the Cuban experience outside of Cuba. They have been purchased by or donated to the Cuban Heritage Collection for several decades. Several hundred postcards are acquired each year, allowing us to continue providing them as valuable research tools.