Cuba postage stamps – Olympic Games year 1962 Used set

Cuba postage stamps – Olympic Games year 1962 Used set

In 1962, Cuba was heavily focused on promoting national sports and physical education following the 1959 Revolution. While there wasn’t a set explicitly titled “1962 Olympic Games” (as the Olympics were held in 1960 and 1964), Cuba issued a massive and famous sports-themed series that is often collected by Olympic topical enthusiasts.

The most significant issue from this year is the National Sports Institute (INDER) series.

1. The 1962 National Sports Institute (INDER) Set

This is one of the largest sports sets ever issued by Cuba, consisting of 30 different stamps. It was released to celebrate the first anniversary of the Instituto Nacional de Deportes, Educación Física y Recreación (INDER).

Featured Sports (30-Stamp Set)

The designs are notable for their mid-century modernist style, featuring stylized silhouettes of athletes in action. The set includes:

• Ball Games: Baseball (Cuba’s national sport), Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis.
• Combat Sports: Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Wrestling.
• Athletics: Hurdling, Shot Put, High Jump, Running.
• Water Sports: Swimming, Sailing, Diving, Rowing.
• Other: Cycling, Gymnastics, Archery, Shooting, Weightlifting, and Equestrian events.

Technical Details

• Release Date: February 23, 1962.
• Denominations: Range from 1 centavo to 25 centavos.
• Michel Catalog No: 771–800.
• Scott Catalog No: 716–727 (Note: Scott often groups these or lists only the primary designs).

2. Other 1962 Sports/Games Issues

While the INDER set is the most famous, two other sets from 1962 are frequently found in Olympic collections:

Central American and Caribbean Games (Kingston, Jamaica)

• Date: August 1962.
• Details: A 4-stamp set (and a souvenir sheet) commemorating the 9th regional games. Since these are “Olympic-style” multi-sport events, they are considered core Olympic topical material.
• Designs: Featured Running, Weightlifting, and the Games logo.

1962 World Youth Games (Helsinki)

• Date: July 1962.
• Details: A set featuring the Helsinki stadium and youth symbols. Though not the official “Olympics,” these festivals were major international sporting events for the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War.