SWISS LETTER MAIL TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES - THE CLASSIC PERIOD 1848 TO 1854 -

Introduction and Switzerland and not between the foreign states and the individual cantons. Under the new republic, the cantons still This study deals with mail from Switzerland to foreign had the right to self-government on local issues. The Federal destinations, prepaid with adhesive stamps. The period starts Postal Department under the republic was established on 1 when the Swiss cantons formed a Federal Republic in 1848 January 1849. Since it was not possible to introduce new and ends with the withdrawal of the first federal stamp issue uniform tariffs immediately, the canton tariffs remained in on 30 September 1854. This period is referred to in Swiss effect for another several months until new treaties could be philately as the Classic Period, and is the timeframe when executed. The first foreign postal treaties were: the first foreign postal treaties between the Federal Postal

Administration of Switzerland and foreign states were Executed Effective Country executed, replacing the earlier Cantonal treaties. The Swiss 02.07.1849 01.09.1849 Austria 12.11.1849 01.07.1850 Belgium Postal Administration only granted permission to use postage 25.11.1849 01.07.1850 France stamps for the prepayment of foreign mail as of 1 January 21.10.1850 01.04.1851 Sardinia 1852, prior to that partial franking to border with some of the 23.04.1852 15.10.1852 German Postal Union neighboring states was possible. Recorded Destinations

We have so far recorded 713 letters from Switzerland either

partially or fully paid with postage stamps addressed to a

foreign destination:

Denmark 1 Two Sicilies 38 Baden 79 Great Britain 10 Parma 26 Prussia 14 Belgium 1 Modena 92 Hanover 3 Netherlands 3 Austria 51 Hessen 1 Permission to use adhesive stamps on Foreign Mail Liechtenstein 2 Hungary 2 Free Cities 11 Article 3. Swiss Postal Administration, 29 Christmonat 1851 Russia 1 Lombardia 20 Wuertemberg 49

France 153 Venezia 3 Sachsen 3 With the introduction of new postage stamps- imperforated Sardinia 45 San Marino 1 Nassau 1 Sitting Helvetia on 15 September 1854, the volume of fully Papal State 46 Bavaria 38 Schwerin 1 prepaid foreign mail increased dramatically, since the new Tuscany 14 Crimean War 1 India 1 values of 20, 40 and 100 Rp were conductive to prepayment. USA 10 Mexico 1 Brazil 1

Postal Conventions Organization

In 1848 the Swiss cantons formed a Federal Republic under a The collection is organized by country and documents the new federal constitution, thereby reaching a compromise relevant postal treaties and routes. Included are about 90% of between central control and cantonal authority. From this all recorded rarities, collected over a period of almost 40 point, the postal agreements were between the foreign states years. All letters have expert certificates (attached on back) KINGDOM OF FRANCE Cantonal Postal Treaty Basel-France: Rate Period 1.4.1848 – 30.9.1849

In 1823 the Nederlandsche Maatschappij Stoomboot (NSM) began a Rhine river steamboat service, connecting Antwerp with Rotterdam. Service was expanded already a year later to Cologne. On 22 September 1825, the Grand Duchy of Baden Rhine Steamship Company was formed offering passenger, freight and mail service from Mannheim to Basel, Switzerland. Competition was increased in 1826 when the Prussian Rhine Steamship Company (PRDG) was formed. In 1832 the companies merged and expanded service to Strasbourg under the Navigation du Rhin par Bateaux a Vapeur. Daily dispatched with four-river steamer were offered.

Private mail service between Basel and Strasbourg, France, was arranged by steamboat and railroad agent Louis Hisenclever (original document part of this collection)

15 July 1849 Basel to Paris, prepaid 30 Rappen in cash for private service Cachet of Louis Hisenclever agent, via Navigation du Rhin par Bateaux a Vapeur to Strasburg 15 July 1849 entered mails at Strasbourg for carriage to Paris with France 20 centimes

One reported use of the “Navigation du Rhin par Bateaux a Vapeur” for letter mail to France

KINGDOM OF FRANCE Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: 1 Rate Period 1.7.1850 – 31.12.1851

Border Exchange Offices- Jura, Basel

ex Maurice Burrus

Porrentruy to Besancon, 14 October 1850. Single rate of 25 Rappen, sent via Delle. PD- Paid to Destination Foreign letters could only be prepaid in cash- franking with postage stamps was not authorized until 1.1.1852 The French post office tolerated the full franking to destination- credit to France 6 Kreuzer (marked on reverse)

First recorded FULLY FRANKED TO DESTINATION letter from Switzerland to France

KINGDOM OF FRANCE Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: 2 Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 14.9.1854

The Franco-Swiss rate tables provided for a reduced rate for letter mail exchanged within a predefined border zone. The distance from sending to arriving post office could not exceed 30 kilometers. A special annex to the rate book listed all towns which qualified for the reduced rates. Up to 31 December 1851, the rate was set at 10 Rappen for the single weight (1/2 Loth or 7.5 gr) but increased in the new treaty of 1 January 1852 to 15 Rappen.

Geneva Border-Zone

Basel Border-Zone

Pair of border-zone letters from 1853 from Geneva to St. Claude and Basel to Mulhouse Both mails qualified for the reduced rate for the single rate of 15 Rappen

Geneva border-zone included: Collonge, Fernex, Gex, St-Claude, Chatillon Basel border-zone included: Mulhouse and St.Louis

One recorded St.Claude border-zone letter and eleven recorded Mulhouse border-zone letters

KINGDOM OF FRANCE Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: 2 Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 14.9.1854

Geneva to Limoux, France, 14 December 1853. Single rate of 35 Rappen, unauthorized use of stamp Prepaid with 5 Rappen to Swiss Border and 10 Centimes Napoleon for French postage Marked Timbre Insuffisant (insufficient stamp)- treated as unfranked by France and accessed with 4 decimes

Two recorded combination covers with Rayon and French postage stamps

ex Maurice Burrus

Porrentruy to Paris, 12 September 1852. Quadruple rate of 140 Rappen, via border exchange office Delle First Swiss Postal Zone (up to 10 hours from border/ 1 hour = 4.8 kilometer) to France

Six reported foreign destination mails prepaid with ten or more Rayon adhesive stamps KINGDOM OF FRANCE Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: 2 Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 14.9.1854

ex Violand

Breitenbach to Bartenheim, Alsace, 11 April 1853. Double rate of 40 Rappen for registered mail. Carried via Basel and border exchange St. Louis- paid to destination (PD)

ex Maurice Burrus, Dr. Franz Egger, Pedemonte, Seebub

Neuchatel to Paris, 23 May 1854. Triple rate of 105 Rappen plus 105 Rappen for Registration Border exchange office Pontarlier. The postal treaty required the double rate for registered mail

Highest recorded use of the Rayon III to a foreign Destination- only two recorded registered letters to France KINGDOM OF FRANCE Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: 2 Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 14.9.1854

ex Dr. Marcel Kottelat

Porrentruy to Marseille, 3 May 1852. Double rate of 70 Rappen, sent via border exchange office at Delle

Highest recorded usage of the Rayon I lightblue to a foreign Destination

The Wine Merchant from Bellelay

Louis Monnin was a wine merchant and, from 1852 until his death in 1885 as well the postal clerk of the postal facility in Bellelay. He manufactured his own cancel- a blue-dotted grill, which he applied during 1853/55 to tie the stamps. Only two uses to a foreign destination are recorded. It is today one of the most thought after cancels of the classic Switzerland.

ex Silvaplana, Seebub

Bellelay to Plancy, 28 July 1854. Single rate of 35 Rappen, via St. Louis border exchange Louis Monnin was wine merchant and Bellelay postal clerk- he tied the stamps with a private manufacture grill cancel KINGDOM OF FRANCE Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: 2 Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 14.9.1854

The Swiss Postal Administration informed on 29 January 1854 all regional postal offices:

“…we have noticed that in an increasing number the public is franking mail with bisected stamps. This is not tolerated since it cannot ensure proper cancellation and avoid the re-use of previously used stamps. Such mail has to be treated as totally un-franked...”

12. Instructions, regarding the use of bisected postage stamps 29 January 1854

ex Dr. H.C. Leeman; H.H. Landau

Delemont to Paris, 24 April 1854. Single rate of 35 Rappen, insufficient postage, via St.Louis First Swiss Rate Zone (up to 10 hours from Border) to Other Departments of France Unauthorized use of bisected stamp- rated at the St.Louis border exchange with 4 decimes due

Three reported letters prepaid with bisect to a foreign destination- one to France KINGDOM OF FRANCE Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: 3 Rate Period 15.9.1854 – 15.8.1859

Geneva to Paris, 30 September 1854. Single rate of 35 Rappen, via Fernex border exchange, LAST DAY RAYON The “Rayon” issue was replaced by the “Strubel” issue on 9.15.1854 but remained valid until 9.30.1854 First Swiss Postal Zone to Other Departments of France- PD Paid to Destination

On 15 September 1854 a further simplification reduced the four Swiss postal zones to two. The Rayon stamps were replaced on 15 September 1854 by the imperforated “Sitting Helvetia” (Strubel). The Rayon remained valid until 30 September 1854.

Only recorded Rayon LAST DAY cover to a Foreign Destination

Geneva to Paris, 27 September 1854. Single rate of 35 Rappen, via Fernex First Swiss Postal Zone (up to 10 hours from Border) to Other Departments of France

Mixed Franking between the Rayon and Strubel, only possible from 15 September1854 to 30 September 1854 KINGDOM OF FRANCE Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: 3 Rate Period 15.9.1854 – 15.8.1859

The public was slow in embracing the use of stamps on foreign mail and discouraged by the lack of sufficiently high nominal stamps. It was not until the new series of stamps, Strubel, was introduced on 15 September 1854 with higher nominal values, that prepayment of foreign mail with postage stamps was significantly increased. The Rayon and Strubel could be used together for 15 days from September 15 to September 30, resulting in some rare mixed franking. By September 30, 1854 the cantonal, transitional, local and Rayon stamps were no longer valid.

Geneva to Seyssel, 24 September 1854. Single rate of 25 Rappen, via border exchange at Fernex First Swiss Postal Zone (up to 10 hours from Border) to Bordering Departments of France The “Rayon” issue was replaced on 9.15.1854 with the “Strubel” issue but remained valid until 9.30.1854

Postal Circular 103: Introduction of new Postage Stamps (Swiss Postal Department, Berne, September 1, 1854) GRAND DUCHY OF BADEN Cantonal Postal Treaty Zurich-Baden: Rate Period 12.9.1848 – 31.12.1851

Kloten, Canton Zurich to Kadelburg, Baden, 13 July 1851. Single rate to Swiss border of 15 Rappen Prepaid with stamps to Swiss border, rated by the Baden postoffice with 2 Kreuzer (for mail up to 4 hours)

Zurich handled the mail exchange to the Grand Duchy of Baden for the Cantons of Zug, Schwyz, Thurgau, Luzern, Obwalden and Nidwalden. The full franking to destination was not possible but partial franking to Swiss-Baden border was possible.

ex Walter Haemmerli

Weinfelden, Thurgau to Konstanz, Baden, 1 April 1851. Single rate to Swiss border 5 Rappen- German rate 2 Kreuzer Split Franking- domestic rate paid with stamp and foreign rate paid in cash (marked on the back as per convention) Exclusive to Baden and to Wuertemberg, was the prepayment to border with postage stamps and the prepayment from Swiss-Baden border to final destination in cash. Referred to as “Split-Franking” the cash prepayment was noticed on the back of the letters.

Only recorded Split-Franking from Switzerland to the Grand Duchy of Baden GRAND DUCHY OF BADEN Cantonal Postal Treaty Zurich-Thurn and Taxis: Rate Period 12.9.1848 – 31.12.1851

The Nachnahme (or Cash on Delivery) service for foreign mail only became officially available after the 1863 period. The much-advanced postal system operated by Thurn and Taxis had however already prior to 1863 certain provisions in place, which permitted the C.O.D. service but only for mail exchanged between Thurn and Taxis affiliated postal administrations. The Cantonal Post of Schaffhausen was under the control and influence of Thurn and Taxis and the neighboring Canton of Thurgau often exchanged mail through Schaffhausen, utilizing the Thurn and Taxis postal services.

Switzerland published articles regulating the treatment of C.O.D. mail to the Thurn and Taxis controlled territories. Even though Thurn and Taxis lost its postal lease for the Grand Duchy of Baden in 1811, it still allowed the exchange of C.O.D. mail. The articles stipulated that C.O.D. mail had to be treated as registered and that the C.O.D. amount could not exceed 15 Gulden, 10 Thaler or 30 Franken.

Article B: Nachnahme (C.O.D) exchange with Thurn and Taxis

ex Seebub

Mazingen, Canton Thurgau to Konstanz, Baden, 2 November 1850. Single rate of 10 Rappen plus C.O.D. Rate to Schaffhausen 5 Rappen plus 10 Rappen C.O.D. 6 Kreuzer added to C.O.D. amount of 2 Gulden

Only recorded use of the ORTS-POST adhesive to a foreign Destination and one of four recorded cross border C.O.D. mails GRAND DUCHY OF BADEN German Postal Union Treaty with Switzerland: Rate Period 15.10.1852 – 31.8.1868

The Grand Duchy of Baden was one of the initial member states that joined the Kingdom of Prussia in the formation of the German Postal Union. The provisions of the resulting “Articles to the new Prussian Convention of 1852” (which were signed on 23 April 1852) took effect on 15 October 1852. Article 3 of the treaty regulated a uniform postal rate subject to distance as measured in straight line. The rates were set between 20 and 50 Rappen. Article 7 regulated a special border zone rate of 10 Rappen (or 3 Kreuzer) for mail exchanged within a 5-mile radius.

The Grand Duchy of Baden was a pioneer in the development of the railroads with the Mannheim to Heidelberg link established in 1834. By 1851 there was an uninterrupted line from north to south passing through Carlsruhe, Baden, Heidelberg, Mannheim, Konstanz, Waldshut and Freiburg connecting with Switzerland and carrying most mai.

Bern to Freiburg, Grand Duchy of Baden, April 1854. Single rate of 30 Rappen, direct exchange. Second Swiss Postal Zone (over 75 kilometer) into First German Postal Union Zone (up to 10 miles)

To further define specific provisions such as border exchange points, currency conversion and transit routes, separate treaties were executed between the Swiss Postal Administration and the member states, more specific with the Grand Duchy of Baden and Switzerland on 6 August 1852, taking effect on 15 October 1852.

One reported three-color franking to the Grand Duchy of Baden

KINGDOM OF BAVARIA Cantonal Postal Treaty Zurich-Bavaria: Rate Period 1.10.1829 – 14.10.1852

Frauenfeld, Canton Thurgau to Muenchen, Bavaria, 12 September 1851. Single rate of 5 Rappen- paid to Swiss border Rated by Bavaria with 2 Kreuzer for Lake Constanz steam service Romanshorn-Lindau and 8 Kreuzer domestic rate The Zurich-Bavaria treaty included as well mail to and from the Canton of Thurgau, Zug, Schwyz, Luzern, Ob- and Nidwalden

Earliest recorded franked correspondence to Bavaria

Erlenbach (Zurich) to Haidhausen, Bavaria, July 1852. Double rate of 32 Kreuzer, registration fee 20 Rappen As per postal convention the prepayment of the registration fee, set at 20 Rappen, was mandatory Rated in Bavaria with 32 Kreuzer due as marked on the letter. 16 Kreuzer credit to Zurich and 16 Kreuzer for Bavaria KINGDOM OF BAVARIA German Postal Union Treaty with Switzerland: Rate Period 15.10.1852 – 31.8.1868

The Bayerisches Verordnungsblatt, September 30, 1852, permitted the payment of foreign mail with postage stamps until German border and the foreign portion in cash. Such cash prepayment had to be marked on the reverse. This sort of prepayment is today referred to as Geteilte Franko Abgeltung (Split Prepayment). The directive included the same provisions for mail exchanged with Baden, Wuertemberg, Brunswick and Hannover and foreign postal administrations.

Bayerisches Verordnungsblatt, September 30, 1852: Permission for Split Prepayment

ex Gaston Nehrlich (1928), Tamaris, Ticino

Stein a/ Rhein to Schwabmuenchen, Kingdom of Bavaria, 19 March 1854. Split-Franking of 10 Rappen and 6 Kreuzer Carried via Lake Constanz (Lindau) from the first Swiss Postal Zone into the second Postal Union Zone The Split Franking was permitted with the 10 Rappen representing the payment to Swiss-German border and the 6 Kreuzer (equal to 20 Rappen), representing the payment of the German postage

Only reported combination franking to any of the German States

Note: See as well letter under “Kingdom of Wuertemberg” with Split Franking where German postage was prepaid in cash

KINGDOM OF BAVARIA German Postal Union Treaty with Switzerland: Rate Period 15.10.1852 – 31.8.1868

Langenthal to Augsburg, Kingdom of Bavaria, 3 March 1854. Single rate of 40 Rappen, via Lake Konstanz. Second Swiss Postal Zone (over 75 kilometer) into Second German Postal Union Zone (20 miles)

Oberrieden to Munich, Kingdom of Bavaria, 4 August 1853. Single rate of 40 Rappen plus 20 Rappen Registration Second Swiss Postal Zone (over 75 kilometer) into Second German Postal Union Zone (20 miles)

Three recorded registered letters to the Kingdom of Bavaria

KINGDOM OF BAVARIA German Postal Union Treaty with Switzerland: Rate Period 15.10.1852 – 31.8.1868

In addition to the German Post Union Treaty, a separte agreement was signed on 26 April 1852 between the Swiss and Bavarian postal administrations, to define specific provisions such as border exchange points, currency conversion and transit routes. Article 12 of said agreement provided that the fee for registered mail was set at 20 Rappen, irrespective of weight.

Article 12 of the Bavaria agreement: Registration fee was 20 Rappen and prepayment was mandatory

ex Bernard Geiser

Weinfelden to Island of Lindau, Lake Constanz, 13 January 1854. Triple rate of 60 Rappen Carried by Lake Constanz steamship via Romanshorn to Lindau- the registration fee was set at 20 Rappen

Three recorded registered letters to the Kingdom of Bavaria

KINGDOM OF WUERTEMBERG Cantonal Postal Treaty Zurich-Thurn and Taxis: Rate Period 1.1.1836 – 15.10.1852

During the medieval times, the Italian de Tasso family ran a courier service from Bergamo for the Habsburg Empire- between their Italian, Austrian and German possessions and those in the Low Countries. With he Empire approval the de Tasso’s expanded their service to carry as well private letters and in gratitude changed their name to “von Taxis”. The business prospered and by the eighteenth century it had 20,000 employees. By 1848 the Taxis post comprised an area of over 56,000 square miles. The importance of the office started to wane with the birth of the German Postal Union in 1852.

In 1819 the Kingdom of Wuertemberg executed an agreement with the office of Thurn and Taxis assigning the Wuertemberg postal affairs to Thurn and Taxis. The agreement remained in effect until 1851 when Wuertemberg assumed the its own postal affairs by joining the German Postal Union.

ex Ivan Bally. Seebub

Pfaeffikon (Zurich) to Calw, Wuertemberg, 6 October 1850. Single rate of 40 Rappen. The franking of foreign mail to Destination was not permitted until 1.1.1852 only cash pre-payment was authorized Thurn and Taxis accepted the letter and credited Wuertemberg with 8 Kreuzer (marked on reverse)

First fully franked letter from Switzerland to ANY foreign Destination

KINGDOM OF WUERTEMBERG German Postal Union Treaty: Provisional Rate Period 10.7.1852 – 14.10.1852

The General Postal Union Treaty was signed 23 April 1852, taking effect on 15 October 1852. To further define specific provisions for mail exchange between Switzerland and the various German States, additional agreements were signed to regulate border exchange points, currency conversion and transit routes. All of these supplemental postal treaties took effect as of 15 October 1852, with the exception of Württemberg, which introduced a provisional treaty already on 10 July 1852.

Teufen to Berg, Stuttgart, 20 August 1852. Single rate of 30 Rappen, paid to destination Wuertemberg provisional treaty only valid for 3 months- credit to Wuertemberg 6 Kreuzer, marked on back on lettersheet

Provisional Treaty between Switzerland and the Kingdom Wuertemberg (28 Brachmonat 1852)

One reported cover from the Wuertemberg provisional treaty period

KINGDOM OF WUERTEMBERG German Postal Union Treaty with Switzerland: 1 Rate Period 15.10.1852 – 31.8.1868

reverse

6 Kreuzer

Weinfelden to Stuttgart, Wuertemberg, 12 November 1853. Single rate of 30 Rappen, split-franking Rate fully prepaid with stamps (10 Rappen) and cash (6 Kreuzer = 20 Rappen), marked on the reverse Split Franking (Swiss portion paid with stamps, Wuertemberg portion paid in cash), permitted per treaty

Three reported letters with the “Split-Franking” prepayment

Arau to Tuttlingen, 1 January 1854. Double rate of 40 Rappen plus 20 Rappen registration fee The pre-philatelic Arau straightline origin postmark was not permitted to tie stamps, therefore cancelled by pen

Two reported registered letters to the Kingdom of Wuertemberg KINGDOM OF PRUSSIA French Postal Treaty with Switzerland: Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.9.1854

The disadvantages of an assortment of separate arrangements became apparent soon after the Prussian Convention of 1846, especially as the volume of mail both to and through Germany was growing by leaps and bounds. A serious drawback was the lack of a uniform currency. Each state used its own which sometimes did, but often did not, bear relationship to the value of others. Most of the northern states were in the Groschen area and the southern in the Kreuzer. Hamburg and Luebeck used the Mark Courant and Schilling while Bremen employed the Thaler and Grote. It was partly to overcome the complications caused by these differences that the German Postal Union came into being and Prussia became the spokesman and accountant for it.

ex Maurice Burrus. Dr. Marcel Kottelat

Bad Ragaz to Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia, 2 September 1852. Triple rate of 150 Rappen, sent via closed packet- France Second Swiss Postal Zone (over 75 kilometer) into the Forth German Postal Zone

Only reported French transit mail from Switzerland to the German States Highest recorded use of the Rayon III to the German States THURN AND TAXIS POSTAL DISTRICT German Postal Union Treaty with Switzerland: Rate Period 15.10.1852- 31.8.1868

During the 1848 to 1854 period the once mighty Thurn and Taxis postal system, which controlled at one point most of the Continental European postal exchange, was clearly in decline but still commanded an impressive presence. They controlled the postal affairs for the following independent Duchies and Principalities:

Norther District (Thaler Region): Electorate of Hessen (Kurfuerstentum); Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach; Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha (Landteil Gotha); Schwarzburg-Sonderhausen; Reuss (younger and older line); Lippe- Detmold and Schaumburg-Lippe; the Free Cities of Bremen, Luebeck and Hamburg

Southern District (Gulden Region): Grand Duchy of Hessen; Duchy of Nassau; Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha (Landteil Coburg); Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt; Sachen-Meiningen; Duchy of Hessen-Homburg; Hohenzollern Hechtlingen and Sigmaringen; Free City of Frankfurt am Main.

By the end of 1866 Thurn and Taxis realized that they could no longer effectively compete with the Prussian post and the movement of a unified German postal administration. On 28 January 1867 Thurn and Taxis sold their remaining postal system to the Prussians.

ex Seebub

Schwanden, Canton Glarus to Hamburg, 25 September 1854. Single rate of 40 Rappen, via Rorschach and Frankfurt Rate paid postage to destination (PD)- credit to the German Postal Union of 6 Kreuzer (marked on the back) Thurn and Taxis joined the German Postal Union on 15 October 1852

Only recorded mixed franking Rayon-Strubel to any of the German States

THURN AND TAXIS POSTAL DISTRICT German Postal Union Treaty with Switerland: Rate Period 15.10.1852- 31.8.1868

Basel to Hamburg, 15 September 1854. Single rate of 40 Rappen, via Frankfurt, arrival postmark T+T on the reverse Manuscript Franco- indicative of payment to final destination - credit to the German Postal Union of 6 Kreuzer

15 September 1854- first day of the new Strubel issue- however prepaid with still valid Rayon

Glarus to Frankfurt City, 20 September 1854. Single rate of 40 Rappen, sent via Baden Credit to the German Postal Union was 6 Kreuzer, marked on the back It appears, that the letter was initially over-franked and later one stamp was removed (left side)

Four reported letters from Switzerland to the Free City of Frankfurt KINGDOM OF BELGIUM Postal Treaty Belgium-Switzerland: Rate Period 14.1.1853 – 24.11.1859

Switzerland executed with Belgium one of the first postal treaties on 12 November 1849 (effective as of 1 July 1850), which regulated the direct exchange of mail to Belgium. Postal exchange was conducted by closed mail packets via France with border exchange in Basel, Geneva or Neuchatel. The Belgium exchange office was located at Parquieverain, along the Paris-Bruxelles railroad line. Mail could be sent as well via Germany and France.

Switzerlands first Foreign Postal Treaty:

Switzerland and Belgium 12 Wintermonat (November) 1849- effective 1 July 1850

ex Seligson, Rothmayr, Dr. Franz Egger

St. Gallen to Bruxelles, Belgium (Rietmann & Ebinger, textile manufacturer), 23 September 1854. PD- Paid to Destination Single rate of 75 Rappen for mail from the second Swiss postal zone to “other “Belgium postal offices

Only recorded letter to Belgium from this Period

KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS French Postal Treaty with Switzerland: Rate Period 10.4.1852 – 15.12.1854

Already the first postal treaty, executed between France and Switzerland on 25 January 1849 permitted in their transit ratebook the exchange of letter mail to the Netherlands. Periodic updates and changes led to the 10 April 1852 treaty which now permitted the franking of mail to the Netherlands. Such mail had to be marked with PD (Paid to Destination). The credit to the French post for transit and the Dutch post for delivery were not marked on the letters but were listed in special waybills. The accounts were settled on a quarterly basis.

ex Iwan Bally, Gerhard Oeschger

Geneva to Jargtlust, Holland, 27 September 1854. Single rate of 65 Rappen, sent via Fernex, Paris Manuscript marking Par la France and marked with PD- indicative of full payment to Jargtlust, Utrecht The newly issued 40 Rappen stamp allowed for the franking of the higher rates to foreign countries

On September 15, 1854 the Federal Postal Administration introduced a new series of postage stamps, the Imperforated Sitting Helvetia, or more commonly known as Strubel. The new series of adhesives introduced a new 20, 40 and 100 Rappen stamp, to accommodate the growing need of higher denominated postage stamps paying the rates for foreign letter exchange. The previous issues (Rayon I, II and III) remained valid until September 30, 1854.

Only reported mixed franking Rayon-Strubel to Netherlands

KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS German Postal Union Treaty with Switzerland. Rate Period: 14.1.1853 – 17.6.1864

The German Postal Union treaty, executed with Switzerland, provided for the transit of mail to Netherlands as of 14 January 1853. The rate provisions required mail to be sent via the Grand Duchy of Baden. A reduced rate of 55/65 Rappen (1 and 2 Swiss Zones) was in place for mail destined to the Dutch border post offices while the rate to all other Dutch destinations was set at 65/75 Rappen. A direct exchange was only possible starting on 1 September 1868 when the first treaty between Switzerland and the Netherlands was executed.

ex Silvaplana, Seebub

Glarus to Amsterdam, 29 March 1853. Single rate of 75 Rappen, sent via Baden and Prussia Rated by the Prussian Postal Administration with 7w- indicative of 7 Groschen Weiterfranko Carried by the Grand Duchy of Baden State Railway (Großherzoglich Badische Staatseisenbahnen or G.Bad.St.E.) Marked by the Baden post office with FRANCO (indicative of prepayment) and BADEN (indicative of transit)

Three reported letters from Switzerland to the Kingdom of the Netherlands

UNITED KINGDOM: ENGLAND Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: 2 Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.12.1854

ex Ivan Bally

Lausanne to Leamington, 18 September 1854. Single rate of 60 Rappen, via France By railroad via Geneva-Lyon-Paris to Calais and Dover Royal Mail Packet Company from Calais to Dover South Eastern Railway to London and on to Leamington- a famous Spa resort dating back to the 18th century

Two recorded block-of-four franking of the Rayon III to a foreign Destination

ex Maurice Burrus

Lausanne to London, 3 May 1854. Double rate of 120 Rappen via France. Carried by Dover Royal Mail Packet Company from Calais to Dover and South Eastern Railway to London.

Highest recorded franked letter from Switzerland to England

UNITED KINGDOM: ENGLAND Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: 2 Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.12.1854

ex John Seybold, Peter Brodtbeck

Concize to London, 25 September 1854. Single rate of 60 Rappen via France. Carried by French Government mail packet from Calais to Dover and South Eastern Railway from Dover to London.

St. Aubin to Barnet, Hertfordshire, 19 May 1854. Single rate of 60 Rappen via France. Carried by French Government Packet from Calais to Dover and South Eastern Railway to London. Sorted at the London General Post Office and placed on the Great Northern Railway to Barnet, Herts

Nine recorded franked letters to England from this Period UNITED KINGDOM: SCOTLAND Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: 2 Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.12.1854

ex Maurice Burrus

Lausanne to Edinburgh, 5 January 1852. Single rate of 60 Centimes via France. Carried by Dover Royal Mail Packet Company from Calais to Dover and South Eastern Railway to London By London and North Western Railroad via Newcastle to Edinburgh

The Swiss Postal Administration only permitted the franking of foreign mail to Destination as of 1.1.1852. The letter to Scotland from 5 January 1852 is the first recorded fully franked letter to a foreign Destination

The London and North Western Railroad en route to Edinburgh, circa 1852

First reported fully franked letter from Switzerland to a Foreign Destination and only letter to Scotland DUCHY OF SAVOY Postal Treaty Sardinia-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.4.1851 – 30.6.1859

Rue/Fribourg to Bonneville, Savoy, 1 November 1853. RL Border Zone. Double weight required 40 Rappen Marked with boxed Timres Insuffisant by the Geneva post office and rated with 2 decimes due by the Sardinian post

ex Seebub

Yverdon to Thonon, Savoy, 12 March 1853. Double rate of 80 Rappen, Paid to Destination (PD)

Only reported vertical strip of four Rayon III to the Italian States DUCHY OF SAVOY Postal Treaty Sardinia-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.4.1851 – 30.6.1859

Geneva to St. Julien, Savoy, 29 November 1855. Single border zone rate of 20 Rappen- insufficient franking Rayon stamps were no longer valid, thus treated as un-franked and accessed by the Sardinian post with 2 decimes

Only reported Rayon-Strubel mixed franking to the Duchy of Savoy

Geneva to Thonon, Duchy of Savoy, 12 May 1853. Double borderzone rate of 40 Rappen- rare block franking Carried by Compagnie Genevoise des Bateux a Vapeur Reunis Geneva-Thonon

Four reported block-of-four franking of Rayon II to a foreign Destination DUCHY OF PIEDMONT Postal Treaty Sardinia-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.4.1851 – 30.6.1859

The beginning of steam navigation on the Northern Italian Lakes of Maggiore, Garda and Como dates back to 1825. At that time the industrial and commercial development around the Lakes gave birth to need for faster and more reliable means of transportation. In 1825 the duke Carlo Visconti di Modrone and count Vitaliano Borromeo formed the "Società Privilegiata" based in Milano . Duke Carlo Visconti di Modrone was the president and the goal of the newly formed enterprise was to explore and establish steam navigation on the Northern Italian lakes. On February 8 1825 the "Società Privilegiata" got the exclusive right for 15 years to operate steam-navigation on lakes and rivers of Lombardo-Veneto. The company started immediately to build steamers and on February 1826 the paddle steamer "Verbano" was launched on Lago Maggiore operating for the newly formed Lombardo-Sardo- Ticinese Society. In 1853 the company collapsed but the Sardinian government assumed control and continued to operate.

ex Fritz Kirchner

Chur to Torino, Piedmont, 29 July 1853. Single rate of 50 Rappen, via Lake steamship Verbano, Lago Maggiore The rate would have only required 40 Rappen for mail to any destination within the Kingdom of Sardinia

The Il Verbano was a flush deck paddle steamer, sailed under a British Captain, providing postal service between Magadino and Sesto Calende. The trip across the 100-mile long lake took up to 6 hours.

Nine reported letters carried by the Lago Maggiore Steam Navigation Company REPUBLIC OF GENOA Postal Treaty Sardinia-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.4.1851 – 30.6.1859

Lake Steamship Marking

VERBANO (1851 – 1855)

Postal Announcement, 1 January 1844: Introduction of Mail Service of the Lago Maggiore

The Cantonal Postal Administration Ticino executed a postal agreement with the Kingdom of Sardinia regulating the postal dispatch of mail by steamers of the Lago Maggiore Steam Navigation Company. The daily dispatch was from Magadino to Sesto Calende via Lugano. Mail was carried by the local postal clerks (Gilardi Francesco in Magadino and Molo Floriano in Lugano) to and from the steamships. Letters carried by this service were marked with the cancel “VERBANO” (1851-1855), indicative of the steamship.

Zurich to Genova, Liguria, 20 August 1852. Single rate of 60 Rappen (rate position Tuscany instead of Sardinia) Carried by Lake Steamer Il Verbano (ship cancel 20 AGO 52) via Torino to Genova

Nine recorded letters carried by the Lago Maggiore Steam Navigation Company KINGDOM OF THE TWO SICILIES Postal Treaty Austria-Switzerland: 1 Rate Period 1.9.1849 – 10.1.1852

Mail to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies could be sent by three principal transit routes, based on the relevant treaties:

Austrian Transit. Transit and exchange points where based on the first postal treaty with Austria, executed on 2 July 1849, taking effect as of 1 September 1849. The treaty was replaced by the German-Postal Union treaty on 1 November 1852, Sardinian Transit. A treaty with Sardinia was executed on 21 October 1850, taking effect as of 1 April 1851. Mail exchange was through the Savoy-Mont Cenis route (see following pages). French Transit. The first postal treaty with France was executed on 25 November 1849, taking effect as of 1 July 1850 and included as well transit regulations and rates for mail to Italy with mail packets from Marseille.

ex Silvaplana, Seebub

Obwalden to Naples, January 1851. Single rate of 20 Rappen to Border, via Lombardy and Papal States. Carried overland to Rom, where marked Transito per lo Stato Pontificio (via Papal State transit) In Rom the letter was placed on a coastal steamship which carried the mail to Naples The postal Administration of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies applied the A.G.D.P. (Amministratione Generale Delle Poste)

The letter originated in the rural postal depot of Kerns, Canton Obwalden, where the stamps were annulled with red ink, due to the lack of a proper cancel. In the next closest post office in Beckenried, the stamps were tied with the PP cancel and placed on a lake steamship to Stans, where the letter was marked OBWALDEN and placed on the mail coach to Chiasso on the Swiss-Lombardian border.

Only recorded block of four franking Rayon I darkblue to a foreign Destination

KINGDOM OF THE TWO SICILIES Postal Treaty Sardinia-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.4.1851 – 30.6.1859

Zurich to Naples, 27 September 1853. Single rate of 50 Rappen, paid to border of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies Rated by the Naples post office with 20 Grana- the 50 Rappen rate wa effective for mail sent to Naples by steamship

3-Ring from Biel (one recorded on foreign mail)

ex Walter Haemmerli

Ligerz/Biel to Napoli, Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, 4 August 1851. Single rate of 20 Rappen to Border, via Sardinia. Unlike the Austria treaty (see above) the Sardinian treaty did not permit franking to border, thus returned Marked “muss mit 21 Kreuzer bar frankiert werden” (must be paid with 21 Kreuzer), collected from the sender Transit Tuscany Corispondenza Esta da Genova and Papal States Transito per lo Stato di Pontificio KINGDOM OF THE TWO SICILIES Postal Treaty Sardinia-Switzerland: 1.4.1851 – 30.6.1859

ex Champery, Seebub

Glarus to Naples, 15 October 1852. Single rate of 70 Rappen, via Lake Steamship Verbano, Lago Maggiore Manuscript marking franco frontiere Siciliana (paid to Sicilian border) and PF (Payee Frontiere) as required by treaty Rated in Naples with 20 (grana) due and marked with A.G.D.P. (Amministratione Generale Delle Poste)

The sender in Glarus intended to send the letter partially franked to Swiss border with the required 20 Rappen. The partial franking for mail to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was however not permitted. The letter was returned and had to be supplemented with an additional 50 Rappen postage, representing payment for the Overland rate to Naples, as per postal treaty with Sardinia.

Only reported three color franking to the Italian States

SWISS FOREIGN LEGION NAPLES Postal Treaty Austria-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.11.1852 – 31.8.1868

Following the defeat of Napoleonic France, the Congress of Vienna was convened in 1815 to redraw the European continent. In Italy the Congress restored the pre-Napoleonic patchwork of independent governments, either directly ruled or strongly influenced by the prevailing European powers, particularly Austria. But groups in several Italian states began to push the idea of a unified Italian state again, feeding the flames of nationalism that had already been ignited by populace. At the time, the struggle for Italian unification was perceived to be waged primarily against the Austrian Empire and the Habsburgs, since they directly controlled the predominantly Italian-speaking northeastern part of present day Italy and were the single most powerful force against unification. First revolutions broke out in 1848 and led to the first War of Independence in 1849. Continued unrests remained and the fear was that the hostilities in the North would soon spread to the South. This prompted King Ferdinand II of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies to expand his foreign mercenary regiments, which traditionally had been recruited from predominantly Catholic cantons in Switzerland.

The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was able to count on four Swiss regiments based on cantonal origins:

Regiment 1: Luzern, Uri, Unterwalden, Appenzell; Regiment 2: Fribourg, Solothurn; Regiment 3: Valais, Grison, Schwyz and Regiment 4: Bern, Vaud.

Chur to Napoli, Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, 25 September 1854. Single rate of 50 Rappen, paid to Roman border. Overland mail route via Lombardy- accessed by the post of the Papal States with 20 grana domestic postage Addressed to Enrico de Blumenthal, official delegate of the 3rd Swiss Regiment at Naples

Only reported letter to the Swiss Foreign Legion in Naples

SWISS FOREIGN LEGION SICILY Postal Treaty Sardinia-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.4.1851 – 31.10.1859

ex Seebub Thusis to Palermo, 15 May 1853. Single rate of 50 Rappen. Carried by Sardinian merchant ship via Genoa-Civitavecchia-Naples to Palermo- rated with 27 Grana due Addressed to Anton de Blumenthal, Commander of the 3rd Swiss Regiment at Palermo

ex Walter Haemmerli

Thusis to Palermo, 22 June 1853. Single rate of 50 Rappen. Carried by Sardinian merchant ship via Genoa-Civitavecchia-Naples to Palermo- rated with 27 Grana due Addressed to Anton de Blumenthal, Commander of the 3rd Swiss Regiment at Palermo

Two reported letters to the Swiss Foreign Legion in Sicily STATE OF THE CHURCH (PAPAL STATE) Postal Treaty Austria-Switzerland: 1 Rate Period 1.9.1849 – 31.10.1851

In 1850 the Papal States comprised Rome, the Duchy of Ferrara, the Provinces of Romagna, the Marches and Umbria. The States of the Church, together with Parma, Modena and Tuscany were partners with Austria in the Austria-Italian Postal Union. They became part of the Union on October 1,1852 and ceased to be a member on December 1,1858.

The routes available from Switzerland to the Roman States were the same as to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, or through Sardinia, France and Austria. Overland routes existed through Sardinia and Austrian Lombardy. A combination of land and sea transport to the Papal port of Civitavecchia existed from the Sardinian port of Genoa and the French port of Marseille; the Adriatic port of Ancona could be reached from the Austrian port of Trieste.

Locarno to Roma, States of the Church, February 1851. Single weight to border- paid with 5 Rappen. Payment to Swiss/Italian border for mail from the second Swiss Postal Zone- rated in Rome with Bajocchi

Two recorded letters to Rome franked with Post Locale stamps

STATE OF THE CHURCH (PAPAL STATE) Postal Treaty German-Austrian-Italian Postal Union: 1 Rate Period 1.11.1851 – 31.8.1868

Porrentruy to Rome, Patrimony of St. Peter, 16 July 1854. Single rate of 50 Rappen, sent via Lombardy Manuscript crossed lines indicate that the letter was fully paid to Austrian exit border (Lombardy)

ex Ivan Bally

Basel to Rome, Patrimony of St. Peter, 19 December 1853. Single rate of 50 Rappen for Sample without Value Samples without value enjoyed a higher single weight progression than letter mail (2 Loth) Manuscript crossed lines indicate that the letter was fully paid- to Austrian exit border (Lombardy) STATE OF THE CHURCH (PAPAL STATE) Postal Treaty Sardinia-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.4.1851 – 30.6.1859

Geneva to Rome, Patrimony of St. Peter, 26 September 1854. Single rate of 55 Rappen, paid to Roman border Accessed by the post of the States of the Church with 7 bajocchi domestic postage due

On September 15, 1854 the Federal Postal Administration introduced a new series of postage stamps, the Imperforated Sitting Helvetia, or more commonly known as Strubel. The new series of adhesives introduced a new 20, 40 and 100 Rappen stamp, to accommodate the growing need of higher denominated postage stamps paying the rates for foreign letter exchange. The previous issues (Rayon I, II and III) remained valid until September 30, 1854.

Two reported mixed franking Rayon-Strubel to the State of the Church

STATE OF THE CHURCH (PAPAL STATE) Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.12.1854

Merchants returning to southern France and Italy in 1854 are believed to have brought cholera from Palestine and Syria. Quarantine policies in Europe had developed over the previous centuries in response to largely local crises. In 1834 France proposed a meeting of representatives of various countries to discuss ways that the transmission of disease between countries could best be prevented. The first meeting of the International Sanitary Conference was eventually held in Paris in 1851. Twelve nations participated, each sending a politician and a physician in an attempt to establish guidelines for minimum maritime quarantine requirements but only five of the powers signed the convention – France, Portugal, Sardinia, the Sublime Porte, and Tuscany. Only France and Sardinia eventually ratified the agreements 1852. In 1854, following the outbreak of cholera in both Italy and France, France had to consider the effect of possible quarantine restrictions from both a military and health perspective since large garrisons of troops were stationed in Civitavecchia and Rome. A quarantine station was set up at the port of Civitavecchia.

ex Luder-Edelmann (1925); Charlotte Hassel (1952); Ivan Bally; Dr. Marcel Kottelat

Geneva to Rome, 16 September 1854. Double rate of 110 Rappen via France. Carried by Messageries Imperiales, Direct Line from Marseille to the Papal Port, Civitavecchia Due to Cholera epidemic, disinfected in fumigation chamber (two vertical slits)

Mail sent via France to Italy was by steamers of the French Messageries Imperiales Italy Direct Line, which operated weekly between Marseille and Naples with an intermediate stop at Civitavecchia. In Civitavecchia the letter received a “Via Di Mare” handstamp. It was carried onward to Rome by rail. Civitavecchia was the port of entry for all mail addressed to Rome that was carried by French steamers throughout this period. The cover was disinfected with slits at Civitavecchia

Two reported Rayon-Strubel mixed franking to the State of the Church and only CHOLERA letter from this period

GRAND DUCHY OF ROMAGNA Postal Treaty Austria-Switzerland: 2 Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 30.10.1852

15 Centimes 15 Rappen

Initial prepaid on 24 April 1852 in Bern with Rayon III- 15 Centimes. The postal treaty with Austria required a rate of 30 for prepayment to Roman border. Therefore returned to Bern and supplemented with a Rayon III- 15 Rappen, on 10 May 1852- recognized as one of the most important letters from Classic Switzerland.

Unique Mixed Franking

ex Dr. H.C. Leemann

Bern to Ravenna, States of the Church, 24 April and 10 May 1852. Single rate of 30 Rappen, paid to Roman border Initially prepaid with 15 Centimes (April 24) sent back to Bern and supplemented with 15 Rappen (May 10) Accessed by the post of the State of the Church with 16 bajocchi domestic postage due

Only reported combination franking of the Rayon III Rappen and Rayon III Centimes GRAND DUCHY OF ROMAGNA Postal Treaty German-Austria-Italian Postal Union: 1 Rate Period 1.11.1852 – 31.8.1868

Several of the independent Italian States joined in 1851/1852 the German-Austrian postal union: Tuscany (1 April 1851); Parma (1 June 1852); Modena 1 June 1852) and the Papal States, including the Grand Duchy of Romagna (1 November 1852). The new treaty stipulated the rates based on Distance (german geographical miles) and weight considerations (Wienergewicht), all different currencies were converted to Konventions-Kreuzer. The Austrian transit rate was eliminated since the Austrian-Italian Union rates included the forced franking to Swiss border).

‘

Glarus to Forli, Duchy of Romagna, 25 March 1854. Single rate of 50 Rappen, paid to destination Manuscript cross- indicative of full payment to destination- as per German-Austrian-Italian postal treaty

Three reported franked letters to Forli

DUCHY OF PARMA-PIACENZA Postal Treaty Austria-Switzerland: 1 Rate Period 1.9.1849 – 31.12.1851

The House of Bourbon is a European Royal House of French origin. Bourbon Kings first ruled Navarre and France in the 16th century. By the 18th century, members of the Bourbon dynasty also held thrones in Spain, Naples, Sicily and Parma-Piacenza. In 1796, the duchy was occupied by French troops under Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1814, the duchies were restored under Napoleon's Habsburg wife, Marie Louise, who was to rule them for her lifetime. After Marie Louise's death in 1847, the Duchy was restored to the Bourbon-Parma line, which had been ruling the tiny Duchy of Lucca. In this context, The Bourbons ruled until 1859, when they were driven out by a revolution following the French and Sardinian victory in the war against Austria (called Austrian War in France and Second War of Independence in Italy). The Duchy of Parma and Piacenza joined with the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Duchy of Modena to form the United Provinces of Central Italy in December 1859, and merged with the Kingdom of Sardinia into the Kingdom of Italy in March 1860 after holding a referendum.

Post Office in Piacenza, circa 1851

Lugano to Piacenza, 15 June 1851, Duchy of Parma-Piacenza. Single rate of 5 Rappen, paid to Swiss border Partial franking to border was permitted while full franking to destination was not possible Rated in Piacenza with 8 decimi for Swiss border (Chiasso) to Piacenza

Only recorded franked letter from Switzerland to the Duchy of Piacenza

DUCHY OF PARMA-PIACENZA Postal Treaty Austria-Switzerland: 1 Rate Period 1.9.1849 – 31.12.1851

R.L. Rayon Limithrophe

Lugano to Parma, Duchy of Parma, 16 April 1851. Single rate of 5 Rappen, paid to Swiss border, via Lombardy Accessed by the Parma post with 4 decimi or 40 centesimi for Chiasso-Parma

Only recorded Rayon letter tied with the rare RL (Rayon Limithrophe) handstamp

DUCHY OF PARMA-PIACENZA Postal Treaty German-Austrian-Italian Postal Union: Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 31.8.1868

Lugano to Parma, Duchy of Parma, 22 July 1851. Double rate of 10 Rappen for Sample Without Value, paid to border Franked as per domestic treaty, rate position Sample Without Value up to 1 pound, first Swiss postal zone Accessed in Parma with 8 decimi or 80 centesimi for Chiasso-Parma

Price list with samples from the silk ribbon manufacturer Giacomo Nussbaum, Lugano (reduced content of letter above)

One of four recorded franked “sample without value” to the Italian States KINGDOM OF LOMBARDIA Postal Treaty Austria-Switzerland: 1 Rate Period 1.9.1849 – 31.12.1851

Following the defeat of Napoleon and according to the decisions of the Congress of Vienna on June 9, 1815, certain parts of Northern Italy were awarded to the Austrian Empire and included: Lombardia, Venetia and under indirect control the Habsburg Este (Modena and Reggio) and Austria Lorraine (Grand Duchy of Tuscany).

On March 18, 1848, the Milanese rebelled against Austrian rule and Feldmarshall Radetzky was forced to withdraw from the city. Following victory over the Sardinian forces in July, Austrian rule was restored but nationalistic sentiment continued leading to the Battle of Solferino in 1859 where the Austrian lost against an alliance of French and Sardinian troops. In 1861 Lombardy was incorporated into the newly formed Kingdom of Italy.

Northern Italy under the Influence of Austria (dates of loss)

Note: Largest recorded Block of the Poste Locale

The block presented on this page, is the largest recorded multiple of this stamp used or unused. The Alfred Lichtenstein collection described another “used block of 8 Poste Locale with blue PD cancel” (Zentrale fuer Briefmarken-Projektionsbilder des Philatelisten Vereins St.Gallen, 1920). The “Lichtenstein Block” was sold during the 64th Corinphila Auction in 1981 (Lot 2998), however it was described as “zwei waagrechte Viererstreifen mit Falz als urspruenglicher Achterblock zusammengefuegt”’. The block appeared again at the Cuche Auction in 2013.

As well in mint condition no larger units are recorded. A previously offered block of 6 (11. Mueller Auktion, December 1946) was sold in the Burrus Auction (1964) as a block of 4. During 1946 and 1964 two stamps “went missing” most likely cut off by the previous owner due to aesthetic reasons, quite common at the time for larger blocks.

The legendary “Seebub” Block

Letter fragment from Chur (blue PD from Chur) to Milano, Kingdom of Lombardia. Single rate of 20 Rappen. Marked upon arrival with Milano and Lettere distribuz” – the letter was paid from Chur to Swiss/Italian border

Largest reported block of the POSTE LOCALE adhesive KINGDOM OF LOMBARDIA Postal Treaty Austria-Switzerland: 2 Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 31.10.1852

Prior to the formation of the Austrian-German Postal Union and the execution of a new treaty with the Swiss Federal postal administration, Switzerland signed a provisional convention with Austria reflecting the changed rates due to the currency revision. On 1 January 1852, the old Swiss currency was revalued for postal purposes. The new currency was valued at 1:1.43 (new to old values). As a result, 100 Rappen of the old currency was now worth 70 Rappen. This transition treaty only remained in effect for 10 months from 1.1.1852 to 10.31.1852- we have recorded one letter:

Rayon III- Small Numeral

Rare triple use on Foreign Mail (four recorded)

Poschiavo to Brescia, Kingdom of Lombardia, 13 January 1852. Single rate 50 Rappen. Treated under the transition treaty with Austria (prior to Postal Union) from the 10 months currency revision period

Austrian Ambulant railway post office- on the Lombardian route Milan-Bresco, circa 1852

Only reported letter handled under the Austrian-Swiss transition postal treaty KINGDOM OF LOMBARDIA Postal Treaty German-Austrian Postal Union: Rate Period 1.11.1852 – 31.8.1868

ex Limmat

Horgen to Milano, Kingdom of Lombardy, 29 July 1854. Single rate of 40 Rappen, sent in direct exchange Manuscript crossed lines indicate that the letter was fully paid- credit to Austria 3 Kreuzer CM (marked on reverse)

Four recorded block-of-four franking to a foreign destination with Rayon II

ex Spalentor

St.Gallen to Milano, Kingdom of Lombardy, 12 July 1854. Single rate of 40 Rappen plus 20 Rappen for registration

Two recorded block-of-four franking to a foreign destination with Rayon III

KINGDOM OF LOMBARDIA Postal Treaty German-Austrian Postal Union: Rate Period 1.11.1852 – 31.8.1868

Poschiavo to Como, Kingdom of Lombardia, 13 July 1853. Single rate of 35 Rappen, paid to destination Prepaid under the old treaty- the correct rate would have been 40 Rappen- the letter was delivered without postage due Carried by the Società privilegiata per l'impresa dei battelli a vapore nel Regno Lombardo Veneto steamship company

Early Steam Navigation on the Lago di Como, circa 1853

The Lake Como steam navigation service began in 1826 when a steamship with sails, the “Lario”, was launched by the newly established Società privilegiata per l'impresa dei battelli a vapore nel Regno Lombardo Veneto. The enterprise had a mail contract from the Lombardian government and carried mail from Switzerland.

Only reported letter from Switzerland to Como KINGDOM OF LOMBARDIA Postal Treaty German-Austrian Postal Union: Rate Period 1.11.1852 – 31.8.1868

The postal dispatch from Basel to Italy was by stage coach via Olten and Zofingen to Luzern. In Luzern the mail was placed on a Lake steamship and carried to Fluelen where placed on the legendary St. Gotthard stage coach to Camerlata and by train to Milan. The St. Gotthard mail diligence, stage coach service route was from Fluelen via Gotthard Hospiz and Airolo, Faido, Bellinzona, Brionico, Lugano, Mendrisio to Camerlata. At each stop the horses were changed to ensure a faster service. The total travel time from Basel to Milan was 49 hours and 25 minutes. This North-South route remained in effect until the opening of the St. Gotthard tunnel in 1882 which permitted for a more efficient and shorter exchange.

Basel to Milano, Kingdom of Lombardy, 26 September 1854. Single rate of 40 Rappen, sent in direct exchange Manuscript crossed lines indicate that the letter was fully paid- credit to Austria 3 Kreuzer CM (marked on reverse)

On September 15, 1854 the Federal Postal Administration introduced a new series of postage stamps, the Imperforated Sitting Helvetia, or more commonly known as Strubel. The new series of adhesives introduced a new 20, 40 and 100 Rappen stamp, to accommodate the growing need of higher denominated postage stamps paying the rates for foreign letter exchange. The previous issues (Rayon I, II and III) remained valid until September 30, 1854.

One reported Rayon-Strubel mixed franking with two different Rayon adhesives

DUCHY OF MODENA Postal Treaty Austria-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.9.1849 – 31.12.1851

In 1796 the long lasting rule of the House of Este in the northern Italian duchies of Modena, Reggio and Ferrara came to an end when they were incorporated into the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy. However in 1814, when the French rule was abolished in Italy, Modena and Reggio where returned to Archduke Francis of Austria-Este. The family ruled the duchy again until 1859 using the names Asburgo-Este (Habsburg-Este) and Austria-Este. In 1859 the duchy lost its independence to the new united Italy and Francis V, Duke of Modena, was deposed.

TABAK YELLOW

The Rayon II was printed on white wove paper in three colors- black and red on a yellow background. The printing of the yellow background proved to be more challenging and expensive than initially anticipated resulting in different shades of yellow. The so called “Tabak” color is today considered as one of the most elusive of the Durheim issues. As per Gottfried Honegger, Durheim mixed the colors by hand and added too much red, resulting in the Tabak-color, recognized by small red particles under the microscope.

Zurich to Grand Duchy of Modena, 28 December 1850. Single rate of 20 Rappen to Swiss border (Chiasso) Sent via Milano (marked on back- Milano 30 Dic) and rated with 8 Soldi (40 centesimi) for Chiasso-Modena

UNIQUE mixed franking with the rare TABAK and regular Rayon II DUCHY OF MODENA Postal Treaty Austria-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.9.1849 – 31.12.1851

Lugano to Modena, 27 October 1850. Single rate of 5 Rappen, paid to Swiss border, via Lombardy Accessed by the Modena post with 8 soldi for Chiasso-Modena.

Four reported letters franked with POSTE LOCALE adhesive stamps to Modena

Zurich Rosette (two recorded on foreign mail)

ex Seebub

Zurich to Modena, 4 February 1851. Single rate of 20 Rappen, prepaid to Swiss border, via Lombardy Accessed by the Modena post with 8 soldi for Chiasso-Modena.

From January 1851 to 6 August 1851 the Zurich Post Office used again the earlier Cantonal Zurich Rosette to cancel DUCHY OF REGGIO Postal Treaty Austria-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.9.1849 – 31.12.1851

Mail exchange between Switzerland and the Duchy of Reggio was identical to its associated Duchy of Modena. After the French rule under Napoleon, the Duchy was returned to the House of Este during the Congress of Vienna in 1815. In 1848 Duke Francisco IV d”Este left the Duchy fearing a revolution. Reggio proclaimed its annexation to Piedmont but the latters defeat at Novara brought the city back under the Estense sway. In 1859 Reggio, under dictator Luigi Carlo Farini united again to Italy.

Lugano to Reggio, 18 November 1850. Single rate of 5 Rappen, paid to Swiss border, via Lombardy Manuscript marking S8 (8 soldi) by the Reggio-Modena post office for transit and local postage in Italy

The stamps of the first Durheim issue, Orts Post and Poste Locale, were intended to pay postage for local postal exchange. Given the low nominal value of 2 ½ Rappen they were not intended for foreign mail. Some letters, particularly from the Italian part of Switzerland (Canton Ticino) are recorded where these stamps were used for partial franking to Swiss border, a practice which was authorized by the corresponding treaties. All these letters are considered major rarities- we have only recorded 15 Poste Locale and 1 Orts Post to foreign destinations.

First recorded franked letter from Switzerland to the Duchy of Reggio- three recorded letters with Poste Locale

KINGDOM OF VENETIA Postal Treaty German-Austrian Postal Union: Rate Period 1.11.1852 – 31.8.1868

The Kingdom of Venetia included the provinces of Venice, Verona, Padova, Vicenza, Treviso, Rovigo, Belluno and Udine. Following the popular revolt in the neighboring Lombardy on March 22, 1848, the Kingdom of Venetia followed the next day and arose against the Austrian occupation, forming the Governo Provisorio di Venezia (Provisional Government of Venice). The Austrians, after defeating the Sardinian troops at the battle of Custoza, entered Venice on August 24, 1849, restoring Austrian rule. Venice was ceded to the Kingdom of Italy in 1866.

Basel to Venetia, 21 November 1853. Single rate of 50 Rappen, sent in direct exchange via Lombardia Second Swiss Postal Zone (over 10 miles) to Second Austrian Zone (20 miles) Manuscript crossed lines indicate that the letter was fully paid- credit to Austria 6 Kreuzer CM (marked on reverse)

Mail dispatch from the Cantons of Basel, Solothurn, Aarau to Northern Italy and the Kingdoms of Lombardia and Venetia was via Luzern and Lake Luzern steamship service to Fluelen where the mail was placed on the St. Gotthard stage coach. The route over the Gotthard Hospiz carried mail and passengers to Camerlata on the Swiss-Italian border. There the mail was placed on the train to Milan and on to Venice. The total travel time from Basel to Milan was 49 hours and 25 minutes. This North-South route remained in effect until the opening of the St. Gotthard tunnel in 1882 which permitted for a more efficient and shorter exchange.

Only recorded franked letter from Switzerland to Venetia

GRAND DUCHY OF TUSCANY Postal Treaty Austria-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.9.1849 – 31.12.1851

In the 16th century, the Medicis , rulers of Florence, annexed the Republic of Siena, creating the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. The Medici family became extinct in 1737 with the death of Gian Gastone, and Tuscany was transferred to Francis, Duke of Lorraine and husband of Austrian Empress Maria Theresa, who let rule the country by his son. The dynasty of the Lorraine ruled Tuscany until 1860, with the exception of the Napoleonic period, when most of the country was annexed to the French Empire. After the Second Italian War of Independence, a revolution evicted the last Grand Duke, and after a plebiscite Tuscany became part of the new Kingdom of Italy. From 1864 to 1870 Florence became the second capital of the kingdom.

Locarno to Livorno, Duchy of Tuscany, 21 November 1850. Single rate of 10 Rappen for payment to Swiss border. Accessed by the Tuscan post office with 10 crazie for Chiasso-Livorno

Three reported letters franked with four POSTE LOCALE adhesive stamps to a foreign Destination

First recorded franked letter from Switzerland to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany

GRAND DUCHY OF TUSCANY Postal Treaty Austria-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.9.1849 – 31.12.1851

PP from Mendrisio (one recorded on foreign mail)

Mendrisio to Pisa, Tuscany, 10 March 1851. Single rate of 5 Rappen for payment to Swiss border Accessed by the Tuscan post office with 6 crazie for Chiasso-Pisa

Two recorded letters to Pisa franked with Rayon- only one with Rayon I darkblue

Locarno to Firenze, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, 11 March 1851. Single rate of 10 Rappen to Swiss Border Rated upon arrival with 10 crazie for Austrian transit and local delivery The transit cancel AUSTRIA NO 2 is indicative of mail exchanged through the Milan/Lombardian post

Two recorded letters to Firenze franked with Rayon- only with Rayon I darkblue

AUSTRIAN EMPIRE Postal Treaty German-Austrian Postal Union: Rate Period 1.11.1852 – 31.8.1868

According to the treaties of 1815 the Austrian Empire consisted of Austria herself, Bohemia, Moravia, Hungary, Galicia, Silesia, Transylvania, Croatia and Dalmatia, as well as Lombardy and Venetia. The last two became part of Italy in 1859 respecively 1866. Hungary, having failed to gain her independence in 1848-49, remained strictly within the Austrian Empire until she became part of the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary in 1867.

The postal relations with Austria date back to the establishment of the Cantonal post in Switzerland in 1803. Subsequent modifications to these early treaties resulted in the execution of a new treaty on 15 June 1847, which was adopted by 14 cantonal administrations. The treaties dealt with direct exchange, border zones as well as transit regulations for mail to third countries. The particulars of these contracts were heavily in favor of Austria, it is estimated that the Cantons lost several hundred thousands of francs in potential transit revenues.

The first Swiss post master general, Benedict La-Roche Staehelin immediately canceled the Austria treaties when he assumed control of the newly formed Swiss Federal Post on 1 January 1849 and notified the Austrians that the old treaties were no longer valid. Passionate negotiations resulted on 2 July 1849 with the execution of a new treaty with Austria, which became effective as of 1 September 1849. The treaty remained in force until 31 October 1852 when it was replaced with a new postal convention with the German-Austrian Postal Union.

Basel to Vienna, 7 December 1852. Single rate of 40 Rappen, sent via Baden and Bavaria (German Transit) First Swiss Postal Zone (up to 10 miles) to Third Austrian-German Zone (over 20 miles) Credit to Austria: 9 Kreuzer (equal to 30 Swiss Rappen)- marked on the reverse

Thirteen reported letters from Switzerland to Vienna

AUSTRIAN EMPIRE Postal Treaty German-Austrian Postal Union: Rate Period 1.11.1852 – 31.8.1868

ex Silvaplana

Partial letter to Vienna, circa 1852. Single rate of 40 Rappen, sent via Baden and Bavaria (German Transit) First Swiss Postal Zone (up to 10 miles) to Third Austrian-German Zone (over 20 miles) Credit to Austria: 9 Kreuzer (equal to 30 Swiss Rappen)

Second highest recorded use of the Rayon I light-blue on foreign destination mail

Bern to Vienna, 22 April 1853. Double rate of 100 Rappen, sent via Baden and Bavaria (German Transit) Second Swiss Postal Zone (over 10 miles) to Third Austrian-German Zone (over 20 miles)

Highest reported franking to the Austrian Empire- one of two three-color frankings

AUSTRIAN EMPIRE: VORARLBERG Postal Treaty German-Austrian Postal Union: Rate Period 1.11.1852 – 31.8.1868

St. Gallen Initial Raute (three recorded on foreign mail)

St.Gallen to Dornbirn, Duchy of Vorarlberg, 16 July 1854. Reduced single rate of 10 Rappen for Border Zone Credit to the Swiss and Austrian postal administrations was 5 Rappen each, marked fco (Franco)

One of three recorded Border Zone mails with the Duchy of Vorarlberg

Chur to Feldkirch, 23 June 1854. Single rate of 20 Rappen- First Swiss Postal Zone up to Miles (75km) until border into First Austrian Zone The 20 Rappen rate was split equally between the two Postal Administrations Marked on the back with 3 Kreuzer Konventionsmuenze (equal to 10 Rappen) credit to Austria AUSTRIAN EMPIRE: VORARLBERG Postal Treaty German-Austrian Postal Union: Rate Period 1.11.1852 – 31.8.1868

On September 15, 1854 the Federal Postal Administration introduced a new series of postage stamps, the Imperforated Sitting Helvetia, or more commonly known as Strubel. The purpose was to introduce higher denominated stamps to accommodate the growing foreign letter exchange and the now mandatory requirement to prepay foreign mail with postage stamps. The previous issues (Rayon I, II and III) remained valid until September 30, 1854, resulting in some rare mixed frankings. As of today only twenty-two such mixed frankings, used to a foreign destination are reported.

Chur to Bregenz, September 1854. Single rate of 20 Rappen, sent in direct exchange First Swiss Postal Zone (up to 10 miles/75 kilometer) to First Austrian Zone (up to 10 miles)

15 September 1854 Introducition of new Postage Stamps and permission to use Rayon until 30 September 1854

The new adhesive stamps introduced a 40 Rappen nominal value to the public in September 1854 (the 20 Rappen and 100 Rappen values were only available in 1855). Since the 5 Rappen Rayon I lightblue was still available in September 1854, the use of the 5 Rappen Strubel in mixed franking with Rayon is very uncommon

Only reported use of the 5 Rappen Strubel in combination with Rayon to a foreign Destination

AUSTRIAN EMPIRE: BOHEMIA Postal Treaty German-Austrian Postal Union: Rate Period 1.11.1852 – 31.8.1868

In 1562 Archduke Ferdinand of Austria became King of Bohemia and the country became a constituent state of the Habsburg monarchy. The Kingdom occupied the western two thirds of the traditional Czech lands with Prag being its capitol. During the 1848 revolution many Bohemian-Czech nationalists called for autonomy from the Habsburg Austria, but the revoloutionaries were defeated and Bohemia remained part of the Austrian Empire until following Word War II when it became the core of the newly formed Czechoslovakia.

Rapperswyl to Schlan bei Prag, Bohemia (present day: Czechoslovakia), 12 April 1854. Single rate of 50 Rappen, sent via Vienna Second Swiss Postal Zone (over 10 miles) to Third Austrian Zone (over 20 miles) Credit to Austria: 9 Kreuzer (equal to 30 Swiss Rappen)- marked on the reverse

Two recorded franked letters from Switzerland to Bohemia (present day Czechoslovakia)

CRIMEAN WAR Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.12.1854

Russia and Turkey were at war by October 1853 and on 30 November the Russian fleet emerged from Sebastopol and devastated the Turkish at Sinope. England remained neutral, although with a mounting sense of anger, until 28 March 1853 when national feeling could be contained no longer.

Crimean War: The Black Sea Fleet

The naval operations of the Crimean war commenced with the dispatch, in summer of 1853, of the French and British fleets sailed to the Black Sea region, in order to support the Ottomans and to dissuade the Russians from encroachment. By June 1853 both fleets were stationed at Besikas bay, outside the Dardanelles. With the Russian occupation of the Danube Principalities in October they moved to the Bosphorus and in November entered the Black Sea. During September 1854 the allied forces advanced into the Crimean. But it was not until 9 September 1855 that they were able to capture Sebastopol.

The treatment of English mail to the British troops was directed to be sent under French transit via Marseille in closed mailbags. Because there was no means of knowing the whereabouts of divisions, it was considered necessary to send everything to Constantinople where a British post office had been opened in June.

ex Dr, Marcel Kottelat

Geneva to Armee de la Grande Bretagne, La Crimee, 30 September 1854. Single rate of 95 Rappen. Rayon LAST DAY Carried by Messageries Imperiales- Ligne Levant to Constantinople. Delivered to the British Post Office. Carried by British Naval Packet to the British Forces in the Crimean

Addressed to Lenox Pendergast with the Royal Scots Greys, Armee de la Grande Bretagne, Crimea (Pendergast was Lieutenant Colonel and was later admitted to the House of Parliament)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.12.1854

The first postal convention between the United States and Switzerland did not go into effect until 1 April 1868. Before 1840, mail between the two countries was exchanged by sailing ships from Europe, primarily the United Kingdom and France. The captain of the vessel carrying the letter was obliged to turn it into the post office at the port of arrival. After this date most mail was carried via the United Kingdom by contract mail steamships, first by British and later by American steamships. Some mail was exchanged through Bremen and Prussia after their postal conventions went into effect. Most mail to the United States, however, went via the British open mail and was exchanged through existing conventions between the United Kingdom and France and between France and the Swiss cantons, later unified into Switzerland. In the absence of a convention between the United States and Switzerland, mail could not be fully prepaid and postage was always collected at destination.

ex Maurice Burrus; Limmat

Porrentruy to Galena, State of Illinois, 3 June 1852. Single rate of 60 Rappen- payment to port (PP)- Le Havre By Ocean Steam Navigation Company from Havre via Southampton to Boston, rated with 5 cents open mail rate.

Rayon III stamps were printed in three different designs: 15 Rp (small numerals); 15 Rp (large numerals) and 15 Rp. Cts The use of the small numerals and centimes values are substantially rarer

Two reported quadruple uses of the Rayon III Centimes to a foreign Destination

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.12.1854

The French were interested in competing with the British for transatlantic mail service to the United States. On 5 October 1850, the New York & Havre Line steamship Franklin departed New York carrying the first mail for the U.S. government directly to France stopping off Cowes, Isle of Wight, for British mail. Soon a monthly service operated between New York and Havre, which lasted for seventeen years, interrupted only during the American Civil War.

Mail to and from the United States had to be paid the prevailing American packet letter rates. Letters to the United States usually will show the circular datestamp of the Bureau Maritime in Havre. Mail was subject to the PP marking, indicative of payment to port (Le Havre) only, leaving the French or American packet rate to be collected in the United States. Bureau Maritime Havre

Sissach, Baselland to Delaware, Ohio, 28 April 1852. Single rate of 60 Rappen for payment to Le Havre (fco Havre) Carried by Havre Line steamer Humboldt (see picture below) from Le Havre to New York (arrival 21 May) Rated by the New York port exchange office with the 20 cents packet rate for French service from Le Havre

Franked with a UNIQUE strip of four of the Rayon III small numerals

FIRST REPORTED OVERSEAS LETTER from Switzerland prepaid with adhesive stamps UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.12.1854

New Orleans to Niederutzwyl, September 1852. Single rate of 10 Rappen domestic delivery, via forwarding agent Cotton report from New Orleans, sent in closed mail bag (bulk) via coastal steamer to New York Carried by Havre Line, steamer Franklin to Le Havre and by forwarding agent Landerer & Merkle to Basel Entered the Swiss mail at Basel where franked with 10 Rappen for domestic postage

Although this collection does not include incoming mail, the unique and early Cotton report is documented above.

Cotton Fields in New Orleans, circa 1852 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.12.1854

Arnold Guyot was born at Boudevilliers, near Neuchatel, Switzerland. In 1838 he visited the Swiss glaciers and communicated the results of his six weeks' investigation to the Geological Society of France. In 1848 Guyot immigrated to the United States, where he settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was occupied with this work until his appointment, in 1854, as professor of physical geography and geology at Princeton University, which office he retained until his death in 1884. His scientific work in the United States included the perfection of plans for a national system of meteorological observations. Most of these were conducted under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution. His extensive meteorological observations led to the establishment of the United States Weather Bureau.

The four recorded “Guyot” letters have graced the legendary collections of Alfred Lichtenstein, Maurice Burrus and Ivan Bally- for the first time they are now re-united within this collection and exhibited on the following pages

Arnold Guyot (1838-1884)

ex Ivan Bally; Silvaplana; Seebub

Neuchatel to Cambridge, Massachusetts, 30 September 1853. Single rate of 130 Rappen, via New York Carried by Cunard Line from Liverpool to New York where rated with 5 cents British open mail rate

Ten reported franked letters from Switzerland to the United States- highest recorded “block” of the Rayon III on foreign letter mail UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.12.1854

ex Alfred Lichtenstein

Neuchatel to Cambridge, Massachusetts, 28 September 1854. Single rate of 130 Rappen, via New York Carried by Cunard Line from Liverpool to New York where rated with 5 cents British open mail rate

ex Charlotte Hassel; Maurice Burrus; Walter Haemmerli

Neuchatel to Cambridge, Massachusetts, 20 February 1854. Single rate of 130 Rappen, via New York Carried by Cunard Line from Liverpool to New York where rated with 5 cents British open mail rate

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.12.1854

Geneva to Maryland, 26 September 1854. Single rate of 130 Rappen, via Liverpool and Boston Carried by Cunard Steamer to Boston, where the letter entered the United States mail on 13 October Marked by the Boston port exchange office with the BrPkt (British Packet) cancel and carried by U.S. overland mail

Three reported Rayon- Strubel mixed franking to the United States of America

ex Alfred Lichtenstein; Seebub

Neuchatel to Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1 March 1853. Single rate of 130 Rappen, via New York Carried by Cunard Line from Liverpool to New York where rated with 5 cents British open mail rate UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.12.1854

Dissatisfied with the dominance of British companies in the transatlantic mail packet trade, the US Congress decided to begin a state-subsidized service of their own. In 1849, the US Postmaster General Office invited companies to submit bids for a ten-year federal government-subsidized mail service contract between New York and Liverpool, in direct competition with Cunard, which had opened a similar service in 1848. Collins submitted his ambitious plan to operate a weekly service on the route with five ships superior to those of Cunard. Collins' proposal convinced the authorities and the tender was awarded to his New York & Liverpool United States Mail Steamship Company, known as the Collins Line.

…per Collins Steamer of 20th September via Liverpool...

The Collins steamer Arctic departed Liverpool on 20 September 1854 with 233 passengers and a crew of 135, including Collins' wife, their only daughter 19-year-old Mary Ann and youngest son 15-year-old Henry Coit.

The ship had a good crossing until she encountered thick fog sixty miles from the US coast. In the fog off Cape Race, Newfoundland, she collided on 27 September with the 250-ton French iron propeller ship SS Vesta, and was holed in three places. The Arctic had no watertight compartments and began to fill with water. The captain tried to reach land before the ship sank, but only fifteen miles from shore, the ship rolled over and sank. 322 passengers are said to have perished, including Collins’ family….

ex Seebub

Geneva to New York, 15 September 1854- STRUBEL FIRST DAY. Single rate of 130 Rappen, via Liverpool Manuscript per Collins Steamer of 20th September via Liverpool- the Arctic sank off the coast of Newfoundland The letter missed the Arctic and was instead carried on the Baltic- dep Liverpool on 10/4 and arrival in NY 10/16

Intended to be on the ill fated trip of the Collins Steamer ARCTIC which sank off the coast of Newfoundland MEXICAN REPUBLIC Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.12.1854

The Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico were serviced by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (RMSP) through a main line and auxiliary feeder routes. St. Thomas, the Caribbean headquarters of the RMSP, became the first port of call for the mainline packets all West Indian destinations were served, directly or indirectly, from St. Thomas. In February 1852 amendments were made to the schedule to reflect the capabilities of new ships coming into service. The time out to St. Thomas was reduced from seventeen days to fifteen and the mainline packet line was extended to Vera Cruz and Tampico, allowing for a substantially faster delivery of the Mexico mails.

Basel to Vera Cruz, Mexico, 16 September 1854. Single rate of 130 Rappen, sent via Southampton Sent un-franked; returned to sender with manuscript marking “muss frankiert werden” since prepayment was mandatory Royal Mail Steam Packet via Southampton- Left London 23 September 1854 - arrival in Vera Cruz 20 October 1854

RMSP re-coaling at St. Thomas, en route to Vera Cruz, 1854

Only recorded franked correspondence to the West Indies, Central America or Mexico- UNIQUE mixed franking Rayon-Strubel KINGDOM OF BRAZIL Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.12.1854

The Royal Mail Steam Packet (RMSP) was awarded a royal charter to carry mail to South America in 1851. The vessels were to sail from Southampton on the 9th of each month, and were to make Rio in twenty-six days, calling at Lisbon, Cape de Verde, Pernambuco and Bahia. The service was inaugurated by Teviot in January 1851. Coincident with the RMSP steam service, Great Britain entered into negotiations with Brazil for a new postal agreement that was finally signed on 12th January 1853. The rates became part of the French-British treaty and as a consequence established the rates for mail from Switzerland to Brazil under French transit.

Koepplishaus to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 4 June 1854. Single rate of 145 Rappen, sent with RMSP Carried by Royal Mail Steam Packet, TEVIOT from Southampton via Pernambucco-Bahia to Rio de Janeiro The inward conveyance by land or sea to any part of the empire was set at 240 reis (manuscript marking)

Highest reported use of the Rayon II adhesive on foreign letter mail

One reported franked letter from Switzerland to South America

BRITISH EAST INDIA COMPANY Postal Treaty France-Switzerland: Rate Period 1.1.1852 – 15.12.1854

Mail to the British East India Company could be sent through Marseille by French or British steamers to Alexandria or via the Southampton route with British steamers to Alexandria. After overland mail transit Alexandria- Cairo-Suez mail was sent through the Peninsular & Orient Line via Aden to Bombay. In January 1853 the East India packet was expanded for both Southampton and Marseille departure: Twice monthly from Southampton via Gibraltar and Malta to Alexandria or Twice weekly from Marseille with P&O steamers to Malta where mail was fed into the steamer service from Southampton. The service from Suez to Aden, Point de Galle, Madras and Calcutta was increased to twice-weekly.

ex Tamaris; Ticino

Lausanne to Bombay, 19 September 1854. Single rate of 110 Rappen. By Messageries Imperiales to Alexandria and overland from Alexandria to Suez Peninsular & Oriental Line from Suez to Bombay- upon arrival rated with 1 s (shilling) for maritime sea conveyance

One reported franked letter from Switzerland to Asia