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Basel Dove

Basel Dove
Basel Dove
Country of productionSwitzerland
Location of productionBasel
Date of production1 July 1845
Nature of rarityExtremely rare
Estimated existenceUnknown
Face value2 1/2 rappen
Estimated valueCHF 18,000
CHF 37,500 on cover

The Basel Dove (German Basler Taube) is a notable stamp issued by the Swiss canton of Basel. It was issued on 1 July 1845 with a value of 2 1/2-rappen. At the time each canton was responsible for its own postal service. There were no uniform postal rates for Switzerland until after the establishment of a countrywide postal service on 1 January 1849. The only other cantons to issue their own stamps were Zürich and Geneva.

The stamp, designed by the architect Melchior Berry, featured a white dove carrying a letter in its beak, and was inscribed "STADT POST BASEL". The stamp is printed in black, crimson, and blue, making it the world's first tri-colored stamp. The dove is embossed.

The stamp was not valid for use after 30 September 1854, by which time 41,480 stamps had been printed. Collectors need to be aware that several forgeries have been circulated.