Talk:World Stamp Catalogue/Bern (Switzerland)

Information about engravers, designers, printers?
Does anyone have information about the stamp engravers, designers and/or printing companies? The 1903 issue, Gainon type 13, bears the name of one of the owners of the printing company 'H Kümmerly' (Hermann Kümmerly) below the front right paw of the bear. So it may be safe to assume Kümmerly & Frey was involved in the production process. Kümmerly & Frey produced since the 1850's in Bern geography maps, later also magazines (and probably stamps). See (German) source: ([Andrea Weibel - Historischen Lexikon der Schweiz, Bern. Version: 06/11/2008]).
 * The 'K' in the right corner of the 1880's bear issues is the initial of the printing company being Kümmerly & Frey, according M.N. Thaler (Cantonal Bern revenues - The Swiss Philatelist, 1980, nr 79-81, p.9) Arno-nl 15:58, 26 November 2017 (UTC)

What about the other issues? Arno-nl 06:45, 21 January 2017 (UTC)

Purpose of the small numerals 1880-1898
The theory by M.N. Thaler is that there were five types of stamps transferred to the lithographer's stone. These made up the complete plate for the sheets of the 1880 and 1881 issue. The stamps in rows carry the same number, the stamps in column are sequenced downwards. Is there any literature to validate this? Arno-nl 07:19, 7 October 2018 (UTC)

Very large collecting area due to different types
Collecting revenue stamps of Bern can be a significant challenge. Several Bern issues show a large variety in perforations, watermarks, inscriptions and paper types. Gainon gives an impression in his catalogue.

Take a look at issues of 1893-1898. This a large group with only 6 catalogue numbers (№ 51 - № 56) but many different types (estimated 142). Month (Roman numerals) and year inscribed on one of the lower right leaves, ranging from III-93 to VI-98. Watermark 'S', perforated 12.75x10.25. The 5c, 10c and 30c (like Gainon group 9) can have small numerals (1-5) above lower left value and letter 'K' above lower right value. The 60c can have small numerals (1-5) above lower left value without letter 'K' above lower right value. Much is still unknown, like whether all numerals exist for every issue date or not.
 * 5c № 51: 3 dates, with or without numerals: 3x6=18 types
 * 10c № 52: 7 dates, with or without numerals: 7x6=42 types
 * 20c № 53: 3 dates, without numerals: 3 types
 * 30c № 54: 8 dates, with or without numerals: 8x6=48 types
 * 60c № 55: 5 dates, with or without numerals (without 'K'): 5x6=30 types
 * 1fr № 56: 1 date, without numerals: 1 type

Issues of 1906: 5 different main types are distinguished (A-E) based on perforation, watermark and paper type. More then 50 different types are known.

Please add your stamps and comments too. Thanks. Arno-nl (discuss • contribs) 19:07, 31 August 2020 (UTC)

function of the microdot
From 1880 the stamps 'Arms of Bern' show a microdot above the lower left value. What is the purpose? Arno-nl (  • contribs) 06:45, 31 August 2020 (UTC)