Introduction
The Swiss Federal Constitution of 1848 transferred operation of the postal service from the Cantons to the Federal Government,
and in doing so identified the need for a stamp design that would symbolize the newly formed constitutional State.
A unified currency was introduced on 1 January 1852, with the Swiss Franc (100 Rappen, centimes, centesimi) replacing a multitude
of former currencies. It was intended that the new stamps would be available at the same time, but, due to a delay by the Federal
Council in approving a new issue, it was not until October 1854 that the country's first mass-produced stamps appeared.
Barbados
Mauritus
Trinidad
In late 1851, the Director of the Federal Mint, Dr. Kuster, visited Paris and London to investigate methods of stamp production.
While at the Perkins Bacon plant it is believed he gained inspiration for the design of the new stamp from the allegorical figure of
'Britannia' on the first official stamps of Barbados, Mauritius and Trinidad.
Britannia is depicted as a seated lady holding a spear in her right arm and resting her left elbow on a shield. The pose is
remarkably similar to that found in the design of the Strubel.
The first Federal stamps (Rayons) had featured the national coat of arms (in the form of the Swiss cross) in their design, and new
coins were minted with the head of Helvetia (symbolic mother of Switzerland) on the reverse.
The Helvetia motif on the coins was favourably accepted by the public and prompted the idea of depicting this allegorical figure
on the new stamps.
Design
5 Rp. "Strubel" proof
The stamps featuring the Sitting Helvetia were made using a letterpress printing process that was combined with uncoloured embossed
printing of the stamp motif (Helvetia) and the text.
The paper selected for the printing of the entire
Strubel issue is known as Dickinson paper, notable for the use of an
embedded coloured silk thread running horizontally through the paper, and serving as an anti-counterfeiting measure.
Occasionally, the thread is faintly visible from the
front of the stamp, looking almost like a crease.
As yet, the stamps had no perforations, so had to be cut out of the sheet.
"Strubel"
Struwwel Peter
In many cases, the new stamps were not cleanly and clearly
printed, so the crown of laurels on Helvetia's head often appeared unrecognizable, looking more like a tousled
hairstyle.
It is the laurel wreath on the head, giving the mistaken impression that 'Helvetia' is pictured with unkempt hair, that gave
these stamps the nickname "Strubel".
The name is derived from a popular German children's book
Der Struwwelpeter
by Heinrich Hoffmann, first published in 1845.
Consisting of ten illustrated and rhymed stories about children, each story demonstrates, in an exaggerated way, the consequences
of misbehaviour. The subject of the first story provides the title of the whole book. Literally translated, Struwwel-Peter means
Slovenly-Peter.
Production
The validity of the "Strubel" stamps began on 15 September 1854 and ended on 31 July 1863, when they were replaced by perforated
stamps. During this period, seven different face values, ranging from 2 Rappen (centimes) to one franc, were issued.
The first "Strubel" stamps were printed in Munich, but later issues were produced by the Federal Mint in Bern. Over the years, the
paper manufacturer and the colours of the silk threads changed. During the "Strubel" period, postal charges were also altered, as
were the regulations for cancelling stamps.
As can be seen, during their brief period of validity, the "Strubel" stamps had quite an eventful existence, with different printing,
paper, silk colours, uses, tariff rules and cancellation guidelines. Thus, it is hardly surprising that no two "Strubel"
collections are the same. As a result, collectors are free to build up their display in line with their personal preferences.
The Sitting Helvetia (imperf) Issues
2 Rp.(Zum.21Gb)
5 Rp.(Zum.22Aa)
10 Rp.(Zum.23A)
15 Rp.(Zum.24A)
20 Rp.(Zum.25B)
40 Rp.(Zum.26A)
Fr.1.(Zum.27D)