Cantonal Issues, Geneva

Following a proposal to the Grand Council of Geneva by Professor de Candolle, the Finance Department agreed to implement the introduction of prepayment of letters by use of postage stamps. There was already in place a two-tired rate structure in Geneva. Letters within the city were delivered for 5 centimes. Letters to other parts of the Canton required 10 centimes. In addition to stamps, Geneva also issued imprinted postal stationery, the indicia of which was sometimes cut out to create a stamp which could be glued to a folded letter (keeping the weight down).

5 centime "Large Eagle"
issued August 22, 1848

5 centime indicia cut from
stamped envelope
1849-1850