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; plating is often needed to determine genuineness.
 * In 1854, the Strubel issue was first released, inscribed FRANCO and values in 3 currencies. These were on Dickinson paper with a horizontal silk thread running through each stamp.
 * 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 orts post.A.webp|2½ rappen ORTS-POST. File:Switzerland Poste Locale.jpg|2½r POSTE LOCALE. File:Switzerland rayon I 2.jpg|5r RAYON I. File:Switzerland strubel.jpg|10 rappen Strubel. File:Switz Seated AUSSER KURS.jpg|3c Seated Helvetia with AUSSER KURS remainder cancel. File:Switzerland seated.jpg|1881 20c value. File:Switzerland standing.jpg|1906 25c re-engraved. 


 * Beginning in 1913, Swiss semipostals were released, 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:Switz UPU 5c.jpg|1900 5c UPU, original at left, re-engraved at right. The latter issue has clearer/cleaner background lines and a lined figure of value instead of solid. The original also comes line or comb perf (line perf here). File:Switzerland first air.jpg|Airmail of 1920. File:Switz Tell 30.jpg|1924 30c Tell definitive. File:Switz 10 1946 semi.A.webp|1946 10+10c semipostal. File:Switzerland tetebeche.jpg|1950 5c tete-beche pair. File:Switz 1953 Pro Patria.jpg|1953 10+10c Pro Patria semipostal. File:Switzerland globe.jpg|1963 75c National Exhibition. File:Switzerland 67 Pro Juv.jpg|1967 50+20c Pro Juventute semipostal. File:Switzerland human surface.jpg|2015 "human surface", flocked and textured design. 

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

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