Cuba History Part 4: Troubled Times - Crucial: Guarantee Seals, Brand Piracy, Law & Independence

Guarantee seal Habanos. This is part 4 of the series History Cuba, which deals with brand protection, guarantee seals and Cuba's far-reaching struggles for independence.

The cigar boom brought with it difficulties - many brand names, unclear rights, takeovers. On 24 December 1855, General Commandant Gutiérrez de la Concha added Article 60/61 to Havana's city ordinance: brands and cigar factories had to be registered; anyone selling under a brand name without the right to do so paid 13-20 pesos; violations of registration were punishable by a fine of 10-13 pesos.

Series „History Cuba“ - A 6-part documentary journey through the history of Habanos. 👉To the complete overview of the series.

Where do cigars come from?

Authenticity with seal

Counterfeiting and smuggling damaged the reputation of genuine Habanos; copied boxes were filled with cigars from other origins. On 13 February 1889, the Unión de Fabricantes de Tabaco introduced a guarantee seal that identified cigars as being made in Havana - a visually modernised trademark that still exists today.

Three wars - and the USA on the island

The struggles for independence profoundly changed society, politics and the economy: the first, the Guerra Larga (1868-1878) with over 12,000 fighters at times, including many slaves, lasted ten years; the „Peace of Zanjón“ brought representation in the Spanish Cortes and the gradual liberation of slaves, but no autonomy.

There was unrest, uncertainty and concern in the country. Numerous cigar manufacturers emigrated to Tampa, Key West and New York City; the number of Vegas fell from over 11,000 (1862) to 4,500 (1877). This was followed by the Guerra Chiquita (1878-1879) and finally the Guerra de Independencia (1895-1898) with José Martí as the leading figure.

1898/1902: From war to republic under influence

The USA intervened in 1898; the American-Spanish War lasted only a few months and Spain capitulated. In the Peace of Paris, Spain ceded the Philippines and Puerto Rico to the USA. Cuba formally became independent, but remained under US occupation; in 1902 Cuba was granted republic status - with the USA's right to intervene by constitutional amendment (military bases Bahía Honda - dissolved in 1912 - and Guantánamo). Protective tariffs led to a slump in US trade; industry was weakened.

Outlook

Between legal certainty (seal 1889) and political upheaval: the Habanos guarantee seal became an anchor of origin - while the industry was shaken by wars and US influence. Next part: The first half of the 20th century.

Continue in the series „History Cuba“

This was part 4 of the series „History Cuba“. → Back to part 3: Chinchales and palaces → Continue to Part 5: British and Americans → To the complete overview

Picture credits

• Cover elements: ChatGPT
• Image in text: ChatGPT

Curated for you

External website: Habanos Club Germany

At Origin Of Cigar: Fancy even more history about Cuba cigars?

Historical Habanos manufactories documentary film

In this film, their stories - and their true faces - are uncompromisingly revealed. This is far more than just a documentary film - it is a journey into the soul of Cuba. 

What is in your drawers?

Some chapters in the history of cigars still lie in hidden in drawers, archives or private collections. Do you own Records, documents or references to Cuban cigar brands? Or do you know Sources, that could help with historical research? Then please send us an e-mail. Claudia Puszkar will contact you personally and discuss everything else with you. Together we can Bringing buried stories back to light. 👉 admin@origin-of-cigar.com

New to Cuban cigars? Or deep into it?

FAQ - Read the frequently asked questions

Open the glossary of Cuban cigars

Who is behind Origin Of Cigar?

Who we are and how you can reach us → Please click here

General references

• Min Ron Nee:
  • “AN ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF POST-REVOLUTION HAVANA CIGARS” / Hong Kong 2003, ISBN: 978-3980930826

• Instituto de Investigaciones del Tabaco Cuba:
  • „The world of Habanos“ / Havana 2013, ISBN: 978-959-7212-08-9

• Adriano Martínez Rius:
  • “Habano the King” / Barcelona 1998, ISBN: 84-930387-1-7

• Adriano Martinez Rius:
  • “The Great Habano Factories” / Barcelona 2005, ISBN: 84-609-4024-1

• Orlando Quiroga:
  • “El Habano al rojo vivo” / Havana 2002

• Enzo A. Infante:
  • “Havana Cigars 1817-1960” / Neptune City 1997

• Eumelio Espino:
  • “El Habano - De la semilla al puro en 539 pasos” / Madrid 2019, ISBN: 978-84-09-07091-6

• Alexander Groom:
  • “El Habano Moderno” / Helios House Press 2022, ISBN: 978-911683-05-6

You are here: