Cantonal Issues, Zürich

Among the Swiss cantons, Zürich was the first to use postage stamps in March 1843, basing their use upon the system of prepayment recently introduced in England. Postal rates for mail within the canton would be simplified to just two rates: 4 rappen for letters circulating within the district of any one post office called the local “Rayon”, and 6 rappen for letters addressed to other districts within the canton.

4 rappen: Local District; Type I
The diagonal white line is a pre-printing paper fold.

6 rappen: Cantonal Districts; Type I

6 rappen, Type I, on folded letter from Zürich to Affoltern a.A. Red Zürich circular date stamp 21/9 43. Red "Nach Abgang der Post" indicating that the letter was delivered to the post office after the departure of that evening's postal pickup.