Sale 973 — 2009 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Saturday, 13 June, 2009
Category — The Jonathan Rose Collection of First Issues of the World (Switzerland)
ZURICH, 1843, 4r Black, Vertical Red Lines (1L1; Zumstein 1S). Type III, large and even margins all around, tied by well-struck red cross in rosette cancel on folded letter to Zurich, matching well-struck "Zurich 6/5 1844" double-circle datestamp, red "N: Abg:" handstampEXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE ZURICH 4-RAPPEN WITH RED VERTICAL LINES. A MARVELOUS STAMP AND COVER IN EVERY RESPECT.
In 1843, the Canton of Zurich decided to issue stamps to prepay postage. These were issued in two denominations: the 4-rappen for local letters, and a 6-rappen stamp for use on letters to other cantonal districts. The local printing firm of Orell, Fussli & Co. were contracted to print the stamps, which were issued on March 2, 1843.
Three small backstamps and signed once in pencil. With 1997 Rellstab certificate.
ZURICH, 1843, 4r Black, Vertical Red Lines (1L1; Zumstein 1S). Type I, large to huge margins, unusually clear red vertical lines, detailed impression nicely complemented by red cross in rosette cancelEXTREMELY FINE GEM. A SUPERB USED EXAMPLE OF THE ZURICH 4-RAPPEN WITH RED VERTICAL LINES. A FANTASTIC STAMP IN TERMS OF MARGINS, IMPRESSION, COLOR AND CANCELLATION -- TRULY WORTHY OF THE FINEST COLLECTION.
With 1972 Nussbaum-Bisser and 1995 Rellstab certificates.
ZURICH, 1846, 4r Black (1L3; Zumstein 1W). Large margins to barely touched at top left, tied by well-struck cross in rosette from Winterthur on small green pieceVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE ZURICH 4-RAPPEN CANTONAL ISSUE ON A SMALL PIECE. A GREAT RARITY OF SWITZERLAND..
The 4r was designed to pay the local rate for mail sent within a city of the canton. As such, very few were used.
With 1998 von der Weid certificate.
ZURICH, 1846, 4r Black (1L3; Zumstein 1W). Large margins to just in at left, tied by well-struck red cross in rosette cancel, matching "Zurich Nachmittag 22 Mai 1847" double-circle datestamp on part-printed note from Escher Wyss & Co. and used locally, light vertical file folds do not affect the stampVERY FINE AND CHOICE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SOUND EXAMPLE OF THE ZURICH 4-RAPPEN WITH RED HORIZONTAL LINES ON COVER. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF CLASSIC SWITZERLAND.
In 1843 the Canton of Zurich decided to issue stamps to prepay postage. These were issued in two denominations: the 4-rappen for local letters, and a 6-rappen stamp for use on letters to other cantonal districts. The local printing firm of Orell, Fussli & Co. were contracted to print the stamps, which were issued on March 2, 1843.
With 1998 von der Weid certificate
ZURICH, 1843, 6r Black, Vertical Red Lines (1L2; Zumstein 2S). Type V, Position 35, large margins all around, intense shade and impression, tied by cross in rosette, matching "Wezikon 15 Nov. 1844" double-circle datestamp on folded letter to WaldVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE ZURICH 6-RAPPEN WITH VERTICAL LINES ON COVER.
Ex Consul Weinberger. With 1997 von der Weid certificate.
ZURICH, 1846, 6r Black, Horizontal Lines (1L4; Zumstein 2W). Type V, large margins to full, tied by red cross in rosette cancel, matching "Zuruch 23 Avril 1847" double-circle datestamp on folded letter to Winterthur, light horizontal file fold does not affect stamp, minor ink erosion in addressVERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE USAGE OF THE ZURICH 6-RAPPEN WITH HORIZONTAL RED LINES ON A FOLDED LETTER TO WINTERTHUR.
With 1999 Moser-Raz certificate.
BASEL, 1845, 2-1/2r Dove of Basel (3L1; Zumstein 8a). Large margins to clear, rich colors and exceedingly strong embossing, tied by well-struck "Basel 11 Avril 1848" double-circle datestamp on folded letter, blue company handstamp to right of stamp, receiving backstamp, trivial cover wearVERY FINE. A RARE COVER WITH THE FAMOUS "DOVE OF BASEL" SWISS CANTONAL. SELDOM SEEN IN SUCH WONDERFUL CONDITION. POSSIBLY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CLASSIC IMPERFORATE FROM THE EARLY PERIOD OF POSTAGE STAMPS.
According to Stamps of Fame by L. N. & M. Williams, Basle was the third Cantonal to adopt the use of stamps, after Zurich and Geneva. Unlike the others only one denomination was issued. A single stamp was used for local mail, and two were used for either double-weight letters or for those addressed to the suburbs or other parts of the canton. Apparently they were not very popular with the public and so they are rare on cover.
Small blue Kruschel backstamp. With 1990 Rellstab certificate (English translation accompanies).
BASEL, 1845, 2-1/2r Dove of Basel (3L1; Zumstein 8). Unused (traces of original gum), large margins to just in with nick at bottom just touching frameline, rich colors, clear embossing, small thin spot at leftVERY FINE APPEARANCE. A SCARCE UNUSED EXAMPLE OF THE FAMOUS "DOVE OF BASEL" CANTONAL.
With 1978 Moser and 2001 Rellstab certificates.
BASEL, 1845, 2-1/2r Dove of Basel (3L1; Zumstein 8a). Second printing, large margins to full, unusually clear embossing, rich colors, tied by red Basel double-circle datestamp on small piece to which it is affixed by a waferVERY FINE AND CHOICE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE FAMOUS "DOVE OF BASEL" CANTONAL ON PIECE, IN A REMARKABLE STATE OF PRESERVATION.
Signed Hunziker and with his 1982 certificate.
SWITZERLAND, 1850, 2-1/2r Black & Red, Orts-Post, Without Frame Around Cross (3; Zumstein 13II). Type 19, used with 5r Light Blue & Red (10; Zumstein 15II, Type 40, both stamps with large margins all around, slightly overlapping and tied by boxed "Franco" handstamps on part-printed folded letter datelined "Basle le 19 Mars 1851" to Vevey, red Basel double-circle datestamp, letter with small tear from opening (the method in which this was folded is highly unusual)VERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE AND SCARCE FRANKING CONTAINING THE 2-1/2 RAPPEN FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION ISSUE WITHOUT THE FRAME AROUND THE CROSS. A GREAT RARITY ON COVER.
Small red backstamp. With 1982 Rellstab certificate.
SWITZERLAND, 1850, 2-1/2r Poste Locale, Frame Around Cross (2; Zumstein 14I). Horizontal pair, Types 22 and 23, large margins to full, cancelled by well-struck rhombus grid, matching "Bienne 30 Sep 51" double-circle datestamp on folded letter to Grau, part of Bern and another backstamp, small cover edge tear at bottom of little consequenceVERY FINE. AN ATTRACTIVE COVER BEARING A HORIZONTAL PAIR OF THE 1850 2-1/2 RAPPEN WITH FULL BLACK FRAME AROUND THE CROSS.
With 1981 von der Weid certificate and with his backstamp.
SWITZERLAND, 1850, 2-1/2r Poste Locale, Frame Around Cross (2; Zumstein 14I). Type 37, large margins all around, tied by bold strike of "P.P." handstamp on printed letter with "Triest den 2 October 1850" and addressed to Zurich, red "Zurich Nachmittag 8 Octo 1850" double-circle datestamp, blue Trieste company origination handstamp, light horizontal file fold well clear of stampVERY FINE. A PHENOMENAL USAGE OF THE 2-1/2 RAPPEN SWISS FEDERAL ISSUE, USED TO PAY THE PRINTED MATTER RATE ON A CIRCULAR FROM TRIESTE TO ZURICH.
With 1988 Rellstab certificate.
SWITZERLAND, 1850, 2-1/2r Black & Red, Poste Locale, Without Frame Around Cross (4, Zumstein 14II). Type 26, large margins all around except just barely in at bottom right corner, bright colors, bold strike of diamond grid cancel, tiny thin speck of little consequenceVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE SWIZTERLAND 2-1/2 RAPPEN "POSTE-LOCALE" WITHOUT THE FRAME AROUND THE CROSS. ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF SWITZERLAND.
With 1967 Moser-Raz and 1986 von der Weid certificates.
SWITZERLAND, 1850, 5r Black & Red on Dark Blue, Rayon I, Frame Around Cross (5; Zumstein 15I). Type 23, black frame around cross is partial, large and even margins all around, deep rich colors, cancelled by neat boxed "P.P." handstamp, matching "Belp 15 Jan. 51" double-circle datestamp on large folded letter, neat Bern receiving backstamp, light vertical file fold does not affect stamp, fresh and Very Fine, a wonderful cover, with 1981 Rellstab and 1995 Marchand certificates