Cuban Cigar Marcas 1850 to 1910

(Cigar History Museum) That oval or other design on the top of a cigar box is a direct descendent of the first markings on hogsheads, barrels and crates of tobacco and cigars shipped from anywhere to somewhere else between 1762 and 1862. It was called a marca in Cuban cigar-speak and a “mark” in U.S. forms-speak.
Around 1800, Cuba was opened for international trade in tobacco and cigars...and the boom was on. Those-in-charge quickly determined that a registry of names and marca design would be a good idea.
All Cubans used marcas on cigar boxes intended for export (which is where the money was). Continued