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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