Stamps issued: 1898-1900
After 1900 see United States of America
A large island east of Hispaniola in the West Indies, Puerto Rico was discovered by Columbus on his second voyage in 1493. Puerto Rico remained a Spanish colony until 1898, when it was occupied by the United States during the Spanish-American War. The island was subsequently ceded to the United States and, since 1952, has been a commonwealth in association with the United States. Puerto Rican issues of 1855-73 were issued in Cuba as well as Puerto Rico. Separate issues appeared after 1873. In 1898, two provisional stamps were issued by the U.S. military forces in Puerto Rico, followed by 10 overprinted U.S. stamps during 1899-1900. Since 1900, regular U.S. issues have been in use.
