Switzerland 1862-1883: The Perforated Sitting Helvetia Exhibit

This book reproduces every page of two Champion-of-Champions stamp exhibits on Switzerland’s Perforated Sitting Helvetia Stamps. The Champion-of-Designation is awarded to the best stamp exhibit in the US in a single year. Harlan was the first exhibitor to win both categories of Champion-of-Champions exhibits. He is an expert – a world expert – in his area of specialization and he is an expert exhibitor.Harlan’s exhibit Switzerland 1862-1883, The Perforated Sitting Helvetia, the Champion-of Champions exhibit, reflects a challenging subject. He began collecting this issue in 1966 and worked on mastering these stamps for almost 40 years. The results are shown here. Nine of these stamps were issued in 1862/1863 and seven more were issued during 1867-1878 with new colors and/or denominations and with printings continuing through 1881. Then nine more were printed in 1881 on different paper. This sounds deceptively simple, if mastering twenty-five stamps seems simple. Most of these stamps was printed in different shades with up to six shades per stamp and several constant plate varieties.Harlan’s one-frame Champion-of-Champions exhibit is also included. Switzerland’s Golden Franc Highest Value of 1862-81 Sitting Helvetia Issue is also an amazing exhibit. The stamp was prepared by sprinkling gold powder on still-wet ink! It is a challenging subject and it is masterfully treated.The book is a treat and is a must have for collectors of Switzerland and for those building their library of Champion-of-Champions exhibits. Read more