Basel Dove

Basel Dove
Country of production Switzerland
Location of production Basel
Date of production 1 July 1845
Nature of rarity Extremely rare
No. in existence Unknown
Face value 2½ rappen
Estimated value CHF 18,000
CHF 37,500 on cover

The Basel Dove is a notable stamp issued by the Swiss canton of Basel on 1 July 1845[1] with a value of 2½-rappen. It was the first tricolor stamp in the world and the only postage stamp issued by Basel. At the time each canton was responsible for its own postal service. There were no uniform postal rates for Switzerland until after the establishment of a countrywide postal service on 1 January 1849. The only other cantons to issue their own stamps were Zürich and Geneva.

The stamp, designed by the architect Melchior Berri, featured a white embossed dove carrying a letter in its beak, and was inscribed "STADT POST BASEL". The stamp is printed in black, crimson and blue, making it the world's first tri-coloured stamp.[1] It was valid for use until 30 September 1854, by which time 41,480 stamps had been printed.[2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Hertsch, Max. Famous Stamps of the World. Berne: Hallwag Ltd., 1968, p.12.
  2. ↑ http://www.swiss-philately.co.uk/stamps_cantonal_basel.html Retrieved 26 August 2009.

Further reading

  • Bach, Jean-Paul; Winterstein, Felix (1995). Basler Taube (in German). Reinach: Multipress. ISBN 3952083720.
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