Stamp Stories from around the world

CLASSIC STAMPS: Switzerland

CLASSIC STAMPS: Switzerland

In 1854 Switzerland issued a new design of stamps, the so called “Strubel” depicting the sitting Helveria. Helvetia is the female national personification of Switzerland, officially Confoederatio Helvetica, the Swiss Confederation. The allegory is typically depicted...
CLASSIC STAMPS: Switzerland

CLASSIC STAMPS: Switzerland

On 1 January 1849 the Swiss National Post took over the fourteen cantonal post services. The postal charges for letters and packages were the same in all of Switzerland from October 1849 onwards. In 1850 the first stamps valid in all of Switzerland were issued. The...
CLASSIC STAMPS: Switzerland

CLASSIC STAMPS: Switzerland

In 1845 the Canton of Basel issued their first and only stamp, the so-called “Basel Dove” (Basel German: Basler Dybli, German: Basler Taube). It was the first tricolor stamp in the world and maybe the most beautiful stamp ever issued. Todays stamp is very rare...
CLASSIC STAMPS: Switzerland

CLASSIC STAMPS: Switzerland

In1843 The Canton og Geneva issued their first of four stamps, the so-called “Double Geneva”. The stamp’s designer is unknown but believed to be Guillaume Pasteur, Director of the Geneva Post at the time. The stamp was printed with black ink on yellow-green...
CLASSIC STAMPS: Switzerland

CLASSIC STAMPS: Switzerland

Before the introduction of postage stamps, Switzerland’s postal system was a decentralized network of local and regional services. The terrain, with its mountains and valleys, posed challenges for efficient communication and transportation. It was not until the...
CLASSIC STAMPS: Belgium

CLASSIC STAMPS: Belgium

In 1893, Belgium issued a new series of stamps showing a portrait of King Leopold II. The stamps have a pendant that reads: “Ne livrer le dimanche” and “Niet bestellen op zondag”. These are the so-called “Sunday stamps”, even though...