Stamps

BERNABA 2025

One sheet, two related themes: the anniversary of the first federal stamps, the fascinating story of the man who printed them and BERNABA 2025, an event that unites them both.

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From 14 to 17 May, BERNABA 2025 will be bringing together collectors in Bern. The national and multilateral exhibition invites you to celebrate 175 years of federal stamps. It will also offer a glimpse into the life of Bernese lithographer Carl Durheim, who printed the very first federal stamps. In 1850, i.e. after the founding of the federal state and the creation of the federal post service, the very first stamps valid throughout Switzerland were released. They were adorned with only the Swiss coat of arms and a post horn symbol. The first of them, a stamp with a face value of 2.5 centimes, appeared on the market in the spring of 1850. In the autumn, two more federal stamps followed: “Rayon I” (5 centimes) and “Rayon II” (10 centimes). Then, in 1852, “Rayon III” was released. It cost 15 centimes and was valid for over 10 way hours (Wegstunden).

Sheetlet of 4 stamps
Sheetlet of 4 stamps
Set on first-day cover C6
Set on first-day cover C6
Overprint sheets
Overprint sheets
Special cancellation
Special cancellation

Event

BERNABA 2025

BERNABA 2025 will be held from 14 to 17 May 2025 in Bern. Swiss Post will be there with a special branch offering a cancellation service. In addition, the following limited edition overprints of the sheet will be available exclusively at BERNABA 2025:

  • 14 May 2025: BERNABA Day 2025
  • 15 May 2025: Multilateral Day 2025
  • 16 May 2025: UPU (Universal Postal Union) Day
  • 17 May 2025: Swiss Philately Day

The signing session with the designer of the sheetlet, Daniel Peter, will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thursday, 15 May.

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Technical information

Sales

Philately: from 1.5.2025 to 30.6.2026 or while stocks last

Branches: from 8.5.2025 to 30.6.2026 or while stocks last

Validity

Unlimited from 8.5.2025

Printing

Offset, 4-colour; Gutenberg AG, Schaan, Principality of Liechtenstein

Formats

Stamp: 28 × 33 mm

Sheet: 192 × 95 mm, 2 rows of 2 stamps

Paper

White stamp paper, with optical brightener, matt gummed, 110 gm 2

Perforation

13 ½ : 13 ¼

Design

Daniel Peter, Bern