[HCDX] [radiostamps] THE COLLECTION AND STUDY OF RADIO STAMPS

["wghauser" <wghauser@xxxxxxxxx>]

THE COLLECTION AND STUDY OF RADIO STAMPS

Collecting and studying radio stamps is a fascinating side to the 
hobby of DXing. Throughout the world many countries have issued 
stamps with a radio or telegraphy theme. There are many topics that 
can be found on stamps. This can be broadened to include postal 
cancellations, new stamp issues, First Day covers, early postcards, 
EKKO stamps (or verification stamps), radio communications (radio 
telegraphy and wire telegraphy), radio programmes, personalities and 
anniversaries.

Some countries such as Ecuador have issued special stamps to 
commemorate their years of service. One of the very unusual and 
unique Radio stamps was issued by the Dutch Post Office to 
commemorate Radio Oranje (Radio Orange), which was a programme 
compiled and presented by the Dutch Government in exile and 
broadcast over BBC transmitters during the Second World War. The 
broadcasting service in Holland went into Nazi control when Holland 
capitulated in May 1940. The first Radio Oranje broadcast from 
London was at the end of July 1940. The Nazi occupying power forbad 
listening to foreign radio stations and the transmissions of Radio 
Oranje were jammed. The two stamps are unusual as they are printed 
side by side on each sheet. One of the stamps shows a singer ``Jetje 
of Orange`` who sang resistance songs. 

The other stamp shows two men illegally listening to the broadcasts 
using a home made radio receiver hidden under the floor of a house. 
The text on the stamps is from the opening announcement giving the 
wavelengths and greeting sent to Dutch listeners around the world. 

There were some first day covers issued which showed the Radio Oranje
banners from the original rubber stamp used in London on official 
correspondence. These covers are now considered collectors items. 
After the war many of the broadcasters with Radio Oranje were 
involved in the foundation of Radio Netherlands. 

On 23 March 1994, New Zealand Post issued a set of six stamps which 
took a nostalgic look at life in New Zealand in the 1950s. The $1 
stamp featured a portrait of ``Aunt Daisy`` with a table model radio 
in the background. ``Aunt Daisy`` was one of New Zealand`s greatest
broadcasting personalities. Her distinctive voice enthralled all 
ages during her daily broadcasts reflecting the joy and hopefulness 
of human life. Who in New Zealand at that time can forget the 
children's session when she introduced the `Cheerful Chirpers`. The 
theme music for the children was borrowed from the famous march of 
the American Civil War `Marching through Georgia` and began 

``Listen now to 2YA, we`ll sing a cheerful song:
Sing it with a spirit that will start the world along:
For now the children's session's more than twenty thousand strong;
Big friends and little friends of Radio``.

As well as the countries that issued stamps, individual Radio 
Stations issued QSL or verification stamps. These were called EKKO 
QSL stamps. I received a QSL stamp from KFI Los Angeles, California 
(Jan 24, 1952) and another from KFSD San Diego California. (May 
9,1952). These are now a treasured part of my collection. Then there 
are the unique AWR QSL stamps, which were issued in the 1980s and 
used by AWR (Southern) Asia. These early verification stamps are now 
sought after by collectors. 

With the decline in sending out of reception reports and with 
verifications becoming more difficult to receive, these early radio 
stamps and envelopes are becoming quite rare. Collecting radio 
stamps together with the envelopes and verifications can be an added 
and fascinating addition to the DXing hobby (Peter J. Grenfell, 
Oamaru, NEW ZEALAND DX TIMES PAGE 46 FEBRUARY 2005 via DXLD)






 
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