Kocher stamp

A Kocher stamp, or Kochermarken, is a small framed ad, gummed, with a Swiss postage stamp design. This was printed by the post office under the rules for printed-to-private-order stationery. First released in 1909, they were used on Kocher company mail and also on their reply envelopes.

Frames came in three different colors and 2c, 5c and 10c then-current stamps were applied. They are quite scarce mint or used.

Other companies applied for similar stamps but were refused by the post office. A battle followed between Kocher and the post office over whether these were valid. Covers were often refused by postal clerks, returned for postage or charged postage due.

Kochermarken were sparingly used for many years until 1943 when the Tell and Helvetia issue was demonitized and no longer usable. However, the remaining few stamps had become quite valuable as collectibles.  File:Switz Kocher stamp.jpg|Kochermarke with 10c stamp 