Comic strip

Postage stamps on the topic of comics

The comic strip, also known as the Ninth Art, is a way of telling a story using a series of pictures, in which the protagonists' remarks, feelings or thoughts are displayed in 'balloons'.
Swiss Post has already issued postage stamps on the topic of comics. In 1992, the Cosey, Zep and Aloys set came out and, in 1999, a stamp booklet illustrating 'Les Amours de Monsieur Vieux Bois' was printed to commemorate the bicentenary of the birth of Rodolphe Töpffer, regarded as the father of the comic.

Tom Tirabosco

This year, Tom Tirabosco is illustrating the topic with five characters representing the spirit of the times. In his work, Tom Tirabosco uses the monotype technique, which deviates somewhat from the process traditionally used for comics. A sketch of the drawing is made in reverse on a plate, and the impression is then enhanced with Neocolor crayons, a process that gives substance and texture to the drawing.

Sending a letter

The four characters are sending a letter announcing a specific topic. It is up to you to interpret the balloon illustrated and to try to guess what each character's letter contains. Give free rein to your imagination: Laura sending a birthday card to her fiancé, Marco declaring his love for his sweetheart, Louis having to tell a friend some bad news, Djema sending an invitation to the music festival.

Miniature sheet

The miniature sheet shows all the five characters in the set. The concept is the same as for the other four stamps. The main character - Heidi - expresses herself with an illustration in a balloon and a letter in her hand. In Heidi's case, she's probably telling her friends about the forthcoming happy event.
Issue: Switzerland, 8 May 2003

More information

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