Swiss Post — Vaud Stamp “La Guette”
For the special sheet “My canton – our Switzerland”, Swiss Post and the Conference of Cantonal Governments asked a designer from each canton to create the stamp that represents it. The State of Vaud’s brief stressed openness, equality and innovation; the stamp had to say all this in 33 × 28 millimetres.
I presented three routes: a confederal jigsaw, the coats of arms recomposed into a map, and the watchwoman of Lausanne Cathedral. The third was chosen.
Since 1405, a watchman has called out the hours from the top of the cathedral; in 2021, a young woman took up the tradition for the first time. As the first Swiss canton to give women the vote, Vaud recognises itself in this gesture.
A night-time illustration with a fine grain and a single point of light on the face: the stamp reads at a glance, even at actual size.
9.24 cm² of POSTerity ;-)
Route 1 — A piece of the puzzle: Vaud, one of the 26 pieces that make up the Confederation.
Route 2 — The cantonal coats of arms recomposed into a map of Switzerland.
Route 3 — First sketch of the watchwoman, the route that was chosen.
Commissioned by Swiss Post, Philately, and the Conference of Cantonal Governments
Brief: Information and Communication Office of the State of Vaud