Zurich 4 Cantonal Stamp

Switzerland · 1843 · 4 Rappen

The Zurich 4 is one of the first stamps issued in Switzerland, predating the federal issues. The design features a large, prominent numeral '4' at its center, indicating the postage value, surrounded by an intricate pattern of red lines on a black background. This stamp was created for local postal use within the Canton of Zurich.

Issued by the Canton of Zurich in 1843, this stamp is the first of the Swiss cantonal issues and the second stamp issued in continental Europe, following the Basel Dove. It represents a key moment in postal history before the unification of the Swiss postal system in 1849.