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Post by jamesw on Feb 1, 2017 4:07:40 GMT
I'm curious about this cover. I know little to nothing about Swiss postal history, not my area. This cover mailed on the first day of issue (Feb 2, 1948) of this set of stamps commemorating the 300 anniversary of the Swiss state, and the centenary of the Swiss Federal State and Neuchatel Revolution (thank you Scott's!) and is addressed to Germany, the French zone. But I'm really curious about the little label in the lower left corner. It reads 'Valid' in German, France and Italian, three of the official languages of Switzerland and the dates Feb 2 - Dec 31 1948.
  Does this mean these stamps were only valid until the end of that year? Seems unlikely to me. And is this a piece of selvage (the stamps and the label are all perf 11.5, so that's possible), or a cinderella of some kind? Curiouser and curiouser! |
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Post by carlberky on Feb 1, 2017 12:41:45 GMT
Can't give any answers, but I believe that the Euro method of numerical dating would make that November 27- December 31.
Google says that gultig, valables, and valevoli are German, French and Italian for the word VALID. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2017 13:49:07 GMT
 The Schweizer catalog notes validity dates that range from months to years. These stamps were valid from the issue date of Feb 27 to Dec 31 1948. The next issue was valid from March 1948 to Dec. 31 1955 FDC if it applies here, have good CV - 220 Swiss Francs are about $220 USD & my catalog is 2002 |
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Post by carlberky on Feb 1, 2017 14:08:11 GMT
Can't give any answers, but I believe that the Euro method of numerical dating would make that November 27- December 31.
Google says that gultig, valables, and valevoli are German, French and Italian for the word VALID. Oops! Got my Euro and Roman dating crossed. Feb 27 is correct, of course. |
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Post by jamesw on Feb 2, 2017 3:33:44 GMT
Yikes! $220 for a first day cover!?? I know I wouldn't get that, but it's encouraging. Maybe I can make some of the money back I paid at that auction a couple of weeks ago. Did ok on eBay tonight.
Thanks both for your responses. I had no idea that Switzerland limited the usage time on their stamps. Wonder (out loud) if it's just commemoratives or all their stamps. And if any other countries do that?
Just a note, I noted in the close up scan of the label some blue and pink silk threads. A close look at the stamps show the same threads. So my bet is that this label IS a piece of selvage from the stamps. Makes a nice addition to the cover, no?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2017 13:16:05 GMT
Switzerland had time limits on basically all their stamps between 1914 -1960
It does not seem to be common practice elsewhere.
Generally stamps become invalid through demonetization - when a country changes it's currency,
About 12 Euro countries demonetized between 2002 to 2013
The US did it in 1851 & 1861
GB did after the currency change in 1971
In Canada pence stamps are not valid
Most countries had grace periods and allowed stamps to be exchanged.
HOWEVER, most postal employees probably are not aware and allow demonetized stamps
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