Four years of Swiss collecting, forty years of philately — distilled into a practical, personal resource for anyone fascinated by Swiss stamps.
Swiss philately is one of the richest and most rewarding fields in the collecting world — and one of the least well-documented in English. This site exists to change that.
My name is Paul Sobon. I have been a philatelist for over forty years, and have been collecting Swiss stamps specifically for the past four — long enough to develop a genuine passion for the subject, fresh enough to remember what it feels like to start. Along the way I have built up a solid knowledge of the catalogues, auction houses, societies, and online communities that make Swiss philately come alive.
This site is my way of sharing what I know — a curated, personal guide to the people, places, and resources I find most useful. It is not a shop, and it is not an encyclopaedia. It is a collector talking to collectors.
"Switzerland has produced some of the world's most beautiful stamps. They deserve to be better known."
Switzerland's philatelic history spans nearly two centuries — from the world's first local stamp issues to today. Here is an overview of the major areas, a starting point for anyone new to Swiss collecting and a quick reference for those who know it well.
Geneva, Zurich, and Basel each issued their own stamps before Swiss federal unification — making them among the earliest adhesive stamps in the world. The Geneva Double Geneva and the Basel Dove are philatelic icons commanding extraordinary prices at auction.
Switzerland's first federal stamps, the imperforate Rayons established a unified postal tariff based on distance zones. Catalogued exhaustively in Zumstein, these are the foundation of any serious Swiss collection.
The Helvetia definitives — depicting the female personification of Switzerland — defined Swiss stamps for nearly fifty years. The quality of engraving and the variety of printings make these a lifelong study in themselves.
Issued annually since 1913, these charity series are among the most consistently beautiful stamps Switzerland has produced. Pro Juventute features children and nature; Pro Patria celebrates Swiss heritage. A complete run is a remarkable achievement.
Switzerland was an early pioneer of commercial aviation, and its airmail stamps are a rich area for collectors. From the first experimental Alpine flights to the jet age, these issues document a transformative era in Swiss transport history.
The Zumstein catalogue is the essential reference for Swiss stamp collectors — the equivalent of Stanley Gibbons for Great Britain or Scott for the United States. Published annually, it provides valuations, descriptions, and classifications for every Swiss issue.
A personally curated selection — the organisations, catalogues, auction houses, and communities I actually use and recommend. Not exhaustive, but reliable.
If you have a question about Swiss philately, want to suggest a resource I should add, or simply want to talk stamps — please get in touch. Fellow collectors are always welcome.
Fellow philatelists always welcome.