Swiss Stamps
Definitives of 1938-1959
(Symbolic and Historical Types)
Higher denomination definitive Swiss stamps went through a new evolution,
beginning in 1938. The higher denomination definitive stamps of the Seated Helvetia with Sword Types had been around since the beginning of the century, and it
was time to replace them. New medium sized and larger, wide-format, higher-denomination stamps
first appeared in 1938, and the new designs, with a more modernistic
look and feel to them, featured Swiss Symbolic and Historical subjects. These new definitive
stamps were well received and they would remain in use as the definitive
postage stamps of Switzerland for the next twenty years!
The three Symbolic Type high denomination definitive Swiss stamps shown above were issued on September 17, 1938. These stamps are engraved on greenish granite paper.
Their catalog details and designs are as follows:
- 03 F. (1938 - Greenish Paper - ZU #216v, Mi. #328v, Sc. #244) - First Federal Pact in 1291.
- 05 F. (1938 - Greenish Paper - ZU #217v, Mi. #329v, Sc. #245) - Diet of Stans in 1481.
- 10 F. (1938 - Greenish Paper - ZU #218v, Mi. #330v, Sc. #246) - Swiss citizens voting.
The three Symbolic Type high denomination definitive stamps shown above were issued on May 11, 1942. These stamps are engraved on yellowish granite paper.
These three definitive stamps were re-issued on July 27, 1954. They are engraved on yellowish surface-colored granite paper. That is, the back side of the stamp is white, instead of yellowish. The surface-colored paper issues are the less expensive of the two paper varieties.
The catalog details are as follows:
- 03 F. (1942 - Yellowish Paper - ZU #216w, Mi. #328w, Sc. #284a).
- 05 F. (1942 - Yellowish Paper - ZU #217w, Mi. #329w, Sc. #285a).
- 10 F. (1942 - Yellowish Paper - ZU #218w, Mi. #330w, Sc. #286a).
- 03 F. (1954 - Surface Colored - ZU #216x, Mi. #328x, Sc. #284).
- 05 F. (1954 - Surface Colored - ZU #217x, Mi. #329x, Sc. #285).
- 10 F. (1954 - Surface Colored - ZU #218x, Mi. #330x, Sc. #286).
The nine Historical Subject Type higher denomination definitive Swiss stamps shown above were issued on January 15, 1941. These stamps are engraved on tinted granite paper.
Their catalog details and designs are as follows:
- 50 C. (1941 - Greenish Paper - ZU #243, Mi. #377, Sc. #270) - Oath of the Rutli (c. 1307).
- 60 C. (1941 - Salmon Paper - ZU #244, Mi. #378, Sc. #271) - William Tell (14th Century).
- 70 C. (1941 - Lilac Paper - ZU #245, Mi. #379, Sc. #272) - Fighting soldier, Battle of Marignano (1515).
- 80 C. (1941 - Grayish Paper - ZU #246, Mi. #380, Sc. #273) - Dying soldier, Battle of Marignano (1515).
- 90 C. (1941 - Pale Rose Paper - ZU #247, Mi. #381, Sc. #274) - Standard bearer.
- 1.00 F. (1941 - Greenish Paper - ZU #248, Mi. #382, Sc. #275) - Colonel Ludwig Pfyffer (1524-1594).
- 1.20 F. (1941 - Grayish Paper - ZU #249, Mi. #383, Sc. #276) - Colonel Jörg Jenatsch (1596-1639).
- 1.50 F. (1941 - Salmon Paper - ZU #250, Mi. #384, Sc. #277) - Lieutenant General François de Reynold (1642-1722).
- 2.00 F. (1941 - Pale Rose Paper - ZU #251, Mi. #385, Sc. #278) - Colonel Joachim Forrer (1782-1833).
The four Historical Subject Type higher denomination definitive Swiss stamps shown above were re-issued in 1958 and 1959. These re-issued stamps are printed on tinted granite papers that differ from the papers used for the 1941 issues.
Their catalog details and designs are as follows:
- 80 C. (1958 - Pale Lilac Paper - ZU #339, Mi. #683, Sc. #273a) - Dying soldier, Battle of Marignano (1515).
- 90 C. (1959 - Salmon Paper - ZU #340, Mi. #684, Sc. #274a) - Standard bearer.
- 1.20 F. (1958 - Pale Lilac Paper - ZU #341, Mi. #685, Sc. #276a) - Colonel Jörg Jenatsch (1596-1639).
- 2.00 F. (1959 - Salmon Paper - ZU #342, Mi. #686, Sc. #278a) - Colonel Joachim Forrer (1782-1833).
eBay Auction and Store Links
Switzerland
The following links feature category-focused affiliated seller listings on various eBay sites worldwide. They may enable visitors to shop
for and to buy specific items for the
particular collecting subject they've just read about.
The
affiliated eBay seller auction lots provided by eBay,
Inc. are not the responsibility of the management of this
website. On high priced material, make sure the lots you are buying are properly authenticated.
Remember
that the lots on most of the European eBay sites are priced in EUROS. The lots on the Switzerland eBay site are priced in SWISS FRANCS. The Swiss Franc is roughly equivalent to the US Dollar. Shipping
charges may be more, and the lots may take longer to arrive. Also, make
sure the foreign seller ships to your country, before bidding on or
buying his lot.
