Switzerland Zurich 4 Cantonal Stamp

Switzerland · 1843 · 4 Rappen

This is the Zurich 4, one of the first stamps issued in Switzerland and continental Europe. The design features a large numeral '4' at its center, indicating the postage value, surrounded by intricate red line patterns on a black background. It was printed by lithography and issued by the canton of Zurich for local postal use.

Issued in 1843 by the Canton of Zurich, this stamp predates the first federal issues of Switzerland (1850). Along with the Zurich 6 and the Geneva Double, it represents the earliest period of Swiss philately.