Switzerland issued its first federal postage stamps on 1 April 1850, following the centralization of postal authority under the 1848 Swiss Federal Constitution. These stamps replaced the earlier cantonal issues of Zurich, Geneva, and Basel and marked the beginning of a unified national postal system.
The first federal stamps are collectively known as the Rayon issues, named after the postal “rayons” (zones) used to calculate rates based on distance. The initial series consisted of three main types: Rayon I, Rayon II, and Rayon III, each corresponding to a specific distance band. Denominations were expressed in rappen, reflecting the standardized national currency.
Unlike the cantonal stamps, which varied widely in design and validity, the Rayon stamps were valid throughout Switzerland. Their designs were deliberately simple and functional, featuring a central Swiss cross within a shield and clear inscriptions indicating value and rayon. No portraits or allegorical figures were used, reinforcing neutrality and federal identity.
The stamps were imperforate and printed typographically on colored paper, with different paper shades and printings used to distinguish values. Early printings were produced in Munich, while later issues were printed domestically. Because of manual cutting, margins vary considerably, and complete examples with four margins are less common.
The Rayon issues remained in use until 1854, when they were replaced by new federal designs as postal regulations continued to evolve.
