This traditional exhibit covers the complex periods of issues and use for the Cantonal issues and their successors, including those of the Transition, plus the early Federal issues, from the Ortsposte and Poste Locale to the stamps for Rayons I, II and III (these last issued in 1852, when all Swiss currencies were unified: 1 Franc = 100 Centimes = 100 Rappen = 1 French franc, and Federal tariffs were imposed.) Prior to this date, most cantons had their own currencies, and their own tariffs for weight and distance.
On 1 January 1852, new Federal postal tariffs were introduced, and in 1854 die “Strübli” stamps replaced the ones covered in this exhibit. Due to the complexities of currencies. rates and charges for special services, the treatment of this display presents some innovative aspects.
For example, the Zürich stamps are presented as separate issues (1843 & 1846), and the Geneva stamps are treated according to evolving periods of regulations, rates, sale prices and currencies which marked periods of use.
Thus, this exhibit demonstrates items from the three major periods of issue:
- The Cantonal Period: 1 March 1843 – 30 September 1849, during which the Cantons of Zürich, Geneva and Basel issued stamps and applied rates valid only in each Canton.
- The Transitional Period: 1 October 1849 to 31 December 1851, which saw the issue of the so-called “Winterthur” issue of Zürich and the so-called “Waadt / Valid” and the “Neuchatel / Neuenberg” issues of Geneva. The first Federal issues were also issued. During the last week of this period, post offices were mandated not to sell any stamps, in anticipation of the unification of the Swiss currencies, though unused Cantonal issues could be sold back to the post offices at their face value.
- Unified Currency Period: On 1 January, 1852, new Federal postal tariffs went into effect, though earlier issues could still be used (they were valid until the end of September 1854), and were sometimes (but rarely) used in combination with the early Federal issues (the first of which were released during the Transitional Period) or with the new “Strübli” stamps of September 1854.
The exhibit is organised in the following manner:
- Section 1:
1843 Zürich 4 & 6 Rappen, vertical red Background lines. - Section 2:
1846 Zürich 4 & 6 Rappen, horizontal Background lines. - Section 3:
Geneva and Basel cantonal issues. - Section 4:
Transitional Period issues: the so-called “Waadt / Vaud” 4 & 5 Cts. of Geneva, the “Neuchatel / Neuenberg” 5 Cts. of Geneva, and the “Winterthur” 2 Rappen of Zürich. - Section 5:
First Federal issues, “Ortspost” and “Poste Locale.” - Section 6:
Second series of Federal issues. “Rayon I” & “Rayon II.” - Section 7:
Third series of Federal issues, the three “Rayon III” stamps of 1852.
This book was presented by the Global Philatelic Network (Corinphila) at BERNABA 2025 in Bern in May, which was perfectly suited to the book’s theme. For fans of old Swiss philately, it is a lasting treat, even if some of the super rarities are beyond their means. As before, this new book is perfectly produced and can be recommended to any philatelist interested in this area of collecting.
Brief information: Format 25.5 x 34 cm, 177 pages, art paper, colour illustrations, hardcover with gold embossed title and spine, plus dust jacket, retail price: €79 plus shipping costs. Available from: Heinrich Köhler Auktionshaus GmbH & Co. KG, Hasengartenstraße 25, 65189 Wiesbaden, Germany, phone +49 (0) 611 34 14 90, email: info@heinrich-koehler.de.
