Archive collections
Your questions will entice our 7,500 linear metres of archive and library documents to reveal their stories about the past. In the archive database of the online portal (DE/FR) you have the possibility to search in our holdings of the PTT archives.
Seitenindex
The holdings of the PTT archive are arranged according to their origin, i.e. according to the regional division of the PTT and the departments of the central administration and not according to topics. In our special scientific library you will find current and historical publications on mail, telephony, telegraphy and telecommunications. If you have any questions about our holdings, we will be happy to assist you. You can find our contact details here.
Archive databaseLibrary database
Do you have any questions?
- Call us at 031 331 11 51.
- Write an email to archiv(at)mfk.ch.
- Infromation on how the archive database can be found here.
Digital contents
We are currently retro-digitising our holdings to give you even more opportunities to carry out your research digitally. Any newly retro-digitised documents are regularly linked into our database. Other retro-digitised documents stored on external platforms are the result of our cooperation with other cultural institutions:
- Technical notices 1917-2005
- Le Radio 1923-1940
- Wikimedia Commons
We are currently retro-digitising our phone directories. The first ones are available online in our Digital Reading Room (click here to go directly to the inventory). We will be constantly releasing more online.
If you wish to be kept informed, please subscribe to our newsletter.
Collections
- Forerunner of the Federal Postal Administration, 1708-1847/48
- Administrative documents of private posts, commercial directorates, directorships, Lyon Ordinari, Fischerpost, Thurn und Taxis, cantonal posts, etc.
- Swiss Post, 1848-1997
- Administrative documents from the head office and all of Switzerland.
- Federal Telegraph and Telephone Administration, 1852-1997
- Administrative documents from the head office and all of Switzerland.
- Internal and external PTT publications, 1849-1997
- Official gazettes, ordinances, regulations, telephone directories, advertising material, forms, etc.
- Thematic collections, 1849-1997
- Post office chronicle, local catalogue, postal courses, stamp impressions, etc.
- Academic library, 18th – 21st centuries
- Publications on Post and Telecommunications, Universal Postal Union, International Telecommunication Union, etc.
- Oral history, 2014 until today
- Since 2014 we have been conducting video interviews with former PTT staff members. Their personal recollections record the technical, social and organisational changes within the companies. Learn more at: www.oralhistory-pttarchiv.ch
![[Translate to English:] Restaurator:in reinigt ein historisches Mobiltelefon mit einem Wattestäbchen.](/fileadmin/_processed_/e/f/csm_Restaurator_an_Arbeit_FotoGehrig_9141e9b1a1.jpg "[Translate to English:] Restaurator:in reinigt Natel")
