In the days when international broadcasters played a prominent role in promoting a nation's brand image, commemorative postage stamps of government broadcasters were often at the forefront. In the spirit of that era I have collected individual stamps, first day cover issues and maxim cards that featured government stations, private broadcasters and/or amateur radio.
AUSTRALIA POST in 1982 issued a first day cover stamp marking the 50th anniversary of the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Many of these ABC commemorative FDCs were signed by staff personnel of the ABC radio stations in each State. This particular FDC is sans signature(s).
AUSTRALIA POST in 1985 issued a first day cover of a printed stamp and cachet on stamped envelope marking the 75th anniversary of Amateur Radio,
The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), 1910. Interestingly, it is a print, not a traditional stamp per se. An Australian amateur radio operator gifted this particular FDC to me knowing I am collector of radio related stamps.
POS MALAYSIA in April 2021 marked the 75th Anniversary of
Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) with four First Day Cover stamps. The stamp sheet commemorated RTM’s progress in each era - The Radio Era, The Radio and Television Era, The Coloured Television Era and The Digital and Multimedia Era. This was a limited edition release with only 2,000 folder sets for sale.
POSTE VATICANE in 1981 issued a first day cover stamps marking the 50th Anniversary of
Vatican Radio. The cachet on the envelope features Pope Pious XI, future Pope Pious XII and Guglielmo Marconi. The stamps depict Marconi and Pope Pious XI, Pope John Paul II, old Vatican Radio microphone and Vatican Radio antenna and statue.
CANADA POST in 1971 issued a First Day Cover stamp of
Radio Canada International's then-new transmitters at Sackville, New Brunswick. Indeed, their 100 kW transmitters could be heard anywhere in the world. In the western United States where I lived at the time, their signal would pin the S-meter on my Realistic DX-160 to the max. In Malaysia, their Sackville transmissions could be received as well, usually in the winter months on 9.620 kHz. The Sackville facility has since been razed and RCI no longer broadcasts from Canada.
POST LUXEMBOURG in 1955 issued a First Day Cover stamp and Maxi Card of
Radio Luxembourg studio and antenna array. Any radio listener, particularly shortwave radio hobbyists, will remember Radio Luxembourg. The station was heard all around the world. I certainly do. I was living in a suburb north of Denver in 1977. I distinctly recall listening to the Paul McCartney & Wings hit song, "Mull of Kintyre" over Radio Luxembourg. Happy days!
POSTA VE TELEGRAF TESKILATI (PTT - TURKISH POST) in 2014 issued these First Day Cover stamps marking the 50th anniversary of
TRT (Turkish Radio & Television) in Ankara.
DEUTSCHE POST in 2017 offered a limited edition stamp of
Radio Mi Amigo International (a Spanish broadcaster) that occasional books air time through service providers in Germany. This paticular stamp was featured on their verification (QSL) card depicting their station on the days of pirate/offshore radio.
