World Stamp Catalogue/Basel (Switzerland)

Canton of Basel-Stadt
The Canton of Basel-Stadt (Basel-City) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland. The city of Basel and the municipalities of Bettingen and Riehen form its territory. Stamps either depict the arms of Basel, or the arms and the basilisk, the guardian creature and traditional symbol. Stamps were issued for 15 different fiscal purposes, and for tourism tax.

Police
Arms of Basel.

1932+
Size 36x39.5mm, perforated 11.5.

Bill of exchange
Arms of Basel and basilisk.

1870
Exist imperforate (A), perforated 11.5 (B), 11.75-12 (C) and 12.75-13 (D - only 7c).

1883
Three different perforations exist; imperforate (A), perforated 11.5 (B) or 12.75-13.25 (C). The year '1883' is very small in the design. Perforation B, 11.5. Pale rose-carmine (1) or rose-carmine (2):

Bordereaux
Purpose classification C. Employers had to file a pay-roll report in the form of an individual periodical reporting leaflet (feuillet de cotisations) for each insured wage earner employed, plus a summary sheet (bordereau) for the entire group. The bordereau lists the name, registration number, and total contribution amount of each worker employed by the employer. Tax stamps were affixed on the bordereau as proof of the payment of social insurance contributions.

1884
Arms of Basel and basilisk. Colours range from light to dark brown. Three different perforations exist; imperforate (A), perforated 11.5 (B) or 12.75-13.25 (C). Perforation B, 11.5.

1899
Arms of Basel. Colours range from brown to lilac-brown. Two different perforations exist; perforated 11.5 (A) or 12.75-13.25 (B). The 5Fr. and 10Fr. exist with watermark (D).

1884
Arms of Basel and basilisk. Many shades of green are known. Three different perforations exist; imperforate (A), perforated 11.5 (B) or 12.75-13.25 (C).

1899
Arms of Basel. With and without watermark. No watermark, three different perforations; perforated 11.5 (A), 12.75-13 (C) or 12.75-13 and partial horizontally imperforate (D). Watermarked; perforation 11.5 (B) and perforation 12.75-13 (E). No watermark, perforation 11.5 (A).

1914
Arms of Basel. Normal and thick paper (a), perforated 11.75.

1883
Arms of Basel and basilisk. Colours range from light to dark grey-blue. Group 1 Inscription: 'OBLIGATIONEN & ACTIENSTEMPEL'. Two different perforations exist: 11.5 (A) or 12.75-13 (B).

Bailiff (Betreibungsamt)
Purpose classification F. The Swiss bailiff or debt collecting office (Betreibungsamt) is a cantonal or communal public and independent office which is responsible for the appropriate legal procedures for initiation of proceedings.

1897
Arms of Basel and basilisk. Perforated 11.5, straight legs of the 'M' of 'TAXMARKE'.

1904
Numerals. Clear (A) or dark (B) colors. Perforated 11.5.

1905
Arms of Basel and basilisk. Perforated 11.5, straight legs of the 'M' of 'TAXMARKE'.

1906-1944
Arms of Basel and basilisk. Perforated 11.5-11.75, splayed legs of the 'M' of 'TAXMARKE'.

1924-1944
Arms of Basel and basilisk. Surcharges on 1906-1944 issue. Perforated 11.5-11.75, splayed legs of the 'M' of 'TAXMARKE'.

1913-1930
Arms of Basel and basilisk. Similar design as the 1897 issue. Perforated 11.5, straight legs of the 'M' of 'TAXMARKE'.

1920
Arms of Basel and basilisk. Similar design as the 1913-1930 issue. Perforated 15.25, straight legs of the 'M' of 'TAXMARKE'.

Frontier police
Arms of Basel. 7 different issues are known.

Registry office (Zivilstandsamt)
Stamps depict the Basel Minster (1911 issue) or the arms of Basel. 3 different issues are known between 1911 and 1958.

Harbour due (Hafenabgabe)
Arms of Basel. From 1934 to the 1940's the Rhine Navigation Office ('Rheinschiffahrtsamt') used 21 different stamps (3 sets) to collect Rhine harbour dues. The precise issue date of series 2 and 3 is unknown.

Public health service
Numerals and 'Oe.K.K.' or 'Ö.K.K.', for Öffentliche Krankenkasse.

War tax
Arms of Basel.

Bicycle control
Arms of Basel, stamps issued with talon.

Tourism
Arms of Basel.

1942
Round period following 'RP' or 'FR'.

Municipalities of the canton of Basel-Landschaft
There are 86 municipalities of the canton of Basel-Country, as of 2009. , of which some issued revenue stamps.

Riehen
Riehen is a municipality, in the canton of Basel-Stadt. 3 different tax stamps were issued around 1907.