Switzerland

Switzerland, or Helvetia, is a country in the Alps in western central Europe.

Three individual cantons/provinces handled their own postal systems before a federal system was established. These were:
 * Basel. See: Basel.
 * Geneva. See: Geneva.
 * Zurich. See: Zurich.

Federal issues

 * In 1850, stamps showing the Swiss arms were issued inscribed either ORTS POST, POSTE LOCALE, RAYON I, RAYON II or RAYON III. Forgeries are quite common.
 * In 1854, the Strubel issue was first released, inscribed FRANCO and values in 3 currencies.
 * Beginning in 1862, the Seated Helvetia issue was released, inscribed HELVETIA. The 1881 issue on granite paper is known for having forged cancels.
 * From 1882 to 1907, the Standing Helvetia design was issued. With 3 different watermarks, 2 different papers and several different perf varieties, it is a rather complicated series.

 File:Switzerland strubel.jpg|10 rappen Strubel. File:Switzerland seated.jpg File:Switzerland standing.jpg 


 * Beginning in 1913, Swiss semipostals were additionally inscribed PRO JUVENTUTE or PRO PATRIA. Some of the latter issues were inscribed CONFŒDERATIO HELVETICA'.
 * Switzerland's first airmail was issued in 1918. That and the 1920 30c value is found forged or with forged cancels.
 * In 1933, the first grilled gum stamps were released. See: Grilled gum.
 * Stamps continue to be inscribed HELVETIA to this day.

 File:Switzerland first air.jpg|Airmail of 1920. File:Switzerland tetebeche.jpg File:Switzerland globe.jpg



Back of the book issues
See: Swiss back of the book issues.