Zurich 4 Cantonal Stamp, Black with Red Lines

Switzerland · 1843 · 4 Rappen

This is the Zurich 4 Rappen, one of the first stamps issued in continental Europe. The design features a large numeral '4' at its center, indicating the postal rate, surrounded by an intricate pattern of red lines to prevent reuse. This stamp was issued by the canton of Zurich for local postage before the creation of a unified Swiss postal system.

Issued by the Canton of Zurich, this stamp predates the first federal issues of Switzerland (1850) and is a prime example of the early, localized postal systems in Europe. It followed Great Britain's Penny Black by only three years.