Press releases

Swiss railway stations to feature on new set of definitive stamps

In its autumn issue, Swiss Post is launching a new set of definitive stamps, visiting the Verzasca Valley and taking to the skies. It is also dedicating a special stamp with surcharge to “contract children”, while a laser-cut miniature sheet is the canvas for some original stamp art.

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In its third issue of the year, Swiss Post is launching a new set of definitive stamps with the theme of “Swiss railway stations”. To start with there will be four stamps with the usual face values of CHF 0.85, 1.00, 1.50 and 2.00. All current definitive stamps will be replaced by 2018. There will no longer be different themes for the usual and large values; the “Swiss railway stations” theme will adorn the entire set. This means that buildings from a number of Swiss railway companies are on track to make an appearance. The first stations to feature are Brig, Lucerne, Bellinzona and Geneva.

New miniature sheets with laser technology and greetings from Ticino

Stamp lovers will be greeted with particular stamp gems on the “Laser cut” miniature sheet. Laser beams were used in their production – the same technology used, for example, to correct poor eyesight or to reproduce storage media such as CDs and DVDs. The result is two stamps in the form of a flower and butterfly, each with a face value of CHF 1.00.

Swiss Post has dedicated another miniature sheet to the Verzasca Valley – an area of typical Swiss countryside. Located just a few minutes from the cities of Locarno and Ascona, the valley still conveys a piece of Ticino’s history. Pictured on the two-franc stamp is the famous “Ponte dei Salti” Roman bridge that spans the river in Lavertezzo. The stone bridge with two arches dates back to the Middle Ages and was rebuilt in 1960.

Support for contract children

A special stamp with surcharge has been dedicated to a dark chapter in Switzerland’s history: the compulsory social measures and involuntary relocation that took place in Switzerland prior to 1981. Many children and young people suffered prejudice and injustice during this period. The history of these institutionalized, foster or contract children is now being politically and scientifically reappraised. Various memorial events, functions and exhibitions, films, the life stories of victims, as well as an initiative and a round table organized by Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga are all key parts of this. Swiss Post’s special stamp will also make a contribution: 100% of the CHF 0.50 surcharge per stamp sold goes to the immediate aid fund for the victims of compulsory social measures and involuntary relocation prior to 1981 (FSZM).

50 years of aerophilately

As seems to be the case in almost all of its stamp issues, Swiss Post is also celebrating a landmark anniversary in its newest collection: the 50-year anniversary of aerophilately. For collectors, aerophilately is a particularly well-loved branch of philately. Aerophilately consignments are always transported in an aircraft. One part of philately is collecting covers, for example letters. Thanks to the cancellation mark on most of the old covers you can find out the itinerary and flight duration – nowadays you can even find out additional information such as the aircraft, route and pilot. You can discover what aerophilately is all about as part of the 50th “Aerophilately Days” to be held at the Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne from 7 to 18 October 2016.

Motifs of the 3/2016 stamp issue – available and valid from 8 September 2016

  • Swiss railways – Definitive stamps “Brig” at CHF 0.85, “Lucerne” at CHF 1.00, “Bellinzona” at CHF 1.50 and “Geneva” at CHF 2.00
  • Laser cut – Miniature sheet with “Flower” and “Butterfly” stamps, each at CHF 1.00
  • “Ponte dei Salti” Roman bridge in Verzasca Valley – Miniature sheet with stamps at CHF 2.00
  • Contract children – Special stamp with surcharge at CHF 1.50 (1.00+0.50)
  • 50 years of “Aerophilately Days” – Special stamp at CHF 1.00

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