Karl Bickel (1886 - 1982) - Begegnung

Karl Bickel (1886–1982) was a Swiss engraver and graphic designer also known for the construction of the Paxmal memorial above Walenstadt. During his career he designed one hundred Swiss stamps but also others for the countries Luxembourg, Portugal and Liechtenstein.

Early life education
Karl Bickel trained as a lithographer and stereotype designer between 1900 and 1904, after which he entered the service of graphic designer Hüttner. He continued his studies and attended evening courses in drawing and graphics at the Zurich University of the Arts. In 1908 he opened his own graphic design studio in Zurich. In 1912 he trained as a sculptor in Carrara, Italy, where he contracted pulmonary tuberculosis and entered a sanatorium in Walenstadtberg in 1913 and 1914.

After having recovered in 1914, Bickel returned to Zurich where he designed posters, often in collaboration with another graphic designer. The studio had a focus on fashion catalogues and designs of posters for cultural events. Several of his posters were inspired by the works of the Swiss painter Ferdinand Hodler. In 1922 he closed the studio. From 1923 onward he was an engraver for the Swiss postal services. He was responsible for several sets of Swiss stamps, including the first airmail stamp of the Swiss Postal Telegraph and Telephone services (PTT) in 1923. He also designed some engravings for the Pro Patria and Pro Juventute portrait stamps.