Swiss Stamps
Postage Stamp Anniversaries
of 1943-1945
Swiss stamps of 1943 to 1945 celebrated monumental historical events. During this period, most of Europe was struggling though the horrific stages of World War II. But for Switzerland, this period was also one of tremendous philatelic importance. These years marked the 100th Anniversaries of the first postage stamps of the Swiss Cantons of Zurich, Geneva, and Basel, and during this time, the beautiful souvenir sheets described below were issued to mark these events.
Unused examples of the
four original stamps shown in the scan above will cost the collector
about $140,000. Mint, never hinged examples of the souvenir sheets
shown on this page will cost the collector about $490. For someone
looking for meaningful historical memorabilia, this is a huge bargain!
The 10 C. denomination sheet-format stamp shown above (Zu. #258, Mi. #416, Sc. #287) was issued on February 26, 1943 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Postage Stamps of the Canton of Zurich. These Swiss stamps were printed in panes of twenty-five, and they were printed on normal paper, with a background of rose colored horizontal lines.
This commemorative stamp features reproductions of the central designs of the first two postage stamps of Zurich, originally issued on March 1, 1843.
The ornate souvenir sheet shown above (Zu. WIII #16, Mi. Block 9, Sc. #B130) was issued during 1943 to commemorate the Centenary of Swiss Postage Stamps and the 25th Anniversary of the Swiss National Fund. This souvenir sheet was printed on tinted, granite paper. The size of the souvenir sheet is 164 x 140 mm, and it sold for 5 Francs.
The central design of the souvenir sheet features an imperforate block of twelve of the commemorative postage stamp issued on February 26, 1943.
The proceeds from the sale of this souvenir sheet benefited the Swiss National Fund.
The smaller souvenir sheet shown above (Zu. WIII #14, Mi. Block 8, Sc. #B131) was issued during 1943 to commemorate the Centenary of Swiss Postage Stamps and the 25th Anniversary of the Swiss National Fund. This souvenir sheet was printed on normal paper. The size of the souvenir sheet is 70 x 75 mm, and it sold for 3 Francs.
The central design of the souvenir sheet features the two individual stamps depicted on the commemorative postage stamp issued on February 26, 1943.
The back side of the souvenir sheet, also shown above, bears the inscription "25 YEARS SWISS NATIONAL FUND" in German, French, and Italian.
The proceeds from the sale of this souvenir sheet benefited the Swiss National Fund.
The souvenir sheet shown above (Zu. WIII #18, Mi. Block 10, Sc. #B132) was issued on September 17, 1943 for the National Philatelic Exhibition in Geneva and to commemorate the Centenary of Swiss Postage Stamps. The size of the souvenir sheet is 72 x 73 mm, and it sold for 3 Francs.
The central design of the souvenir sheet features a modified reproduction of the first postage stamps of Geneva, originally issued on September 30, 1843. The inscriptions read "CENTENARY OF SWISS POSTAGE STAMPS" in German, French, and Italian.
The back side of the souvenir sheet, also shown above, bears the inscriptions "GEPH / NATIONAL PHILATELIC EXHIBITION / GENEVA 1943" in French, and "FOR THE SWISS RED CROSS" in German, French, and Italian.
The proceeds from the sale of this souvenir sheet benefited the Swiss Red Cross.
The souvenir sheet shown above (Zu. WIII #23, Mi. Block 12, Sc. #B144) was issued on April 14, 1945 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Basel Dove Stamp, originally issued on July 1, 1845. The size of the souvenir sheet is 71 x 63 mm, and it sold for 3 Francs.
The central design features two commemorative 10 C. denomination Swiss stamps with the embossed Basel Dove. The inscriptions read "FOR THE CHILDREN" in Latin, and "CENTENARY OF THE BASEL DOVE" in German, French, and Italian.
The proceeds from the sale of these souvenir sheets benefited the Pro Juventute Foundation.
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.
Return to Switzerland Stamps from Swiss Stamps -
Postage Stamp Anniversaries of 1943-1945
