Zurich 4 Rappen Black and Red

Switzerland · 1843 · 4 Rappen

This stamp, known as the Zurich 4, features the numeral '4' prominently in the center, printed in black. It is surrounded by an intricate red background of fine vertical lines, a security measure against forgery. This was one of the first stamps issued in continental Europe, intended for local postal use within the Canton of Zurich.

Issued by the Canton of Zurich on March 1, 1843, this stamp predates the first federal issues of Switzerland by seven years. It represents the early, pre-federation period of Swiss postal history when individual cantons managed their own mail systems.