Saturday, April 26, 2025

A Radio Postcard Journey - 53


A fascinating piece of art, depicting a whimsical steampunk-inspired radio record player, is currently garnering attention among art enthusiasts and collectors. The intricate design, brought to life by the talented artist Melkozerova Elizayeta, showcases a unique blend of Victorian-era aesthetics and industrial fantasy.


The artwork portrays a fantastical device adorned with gears, pipes emitting puffs of steam, and various dials and gauges, all meticulously rendered with a keen eye for detail. The words "Steampunk Record Player" are elegantly inscribed on the top of the imagined machine, further emphasizing its imaginative nature. A separate label at the bottom simply reads "Steampunk," anchoring the artwork in the popular genre.


This captivating piece was originally printed in the culturally rich city of Saint Petersburg in 2020. The printing process, executed with evident care, has preserved the delicate nuances of Elizayeta's artistry.


The postcard featuring this artwork is being marketed by My Magic Card, a company known for its curated selection of unique and artistic stationery. Their decision to feature this "Steampunk Record Player" suggests a recognition of the growing appreciation for imaginative and visually striking art pieces.


While the postcard format makes this artwork accessible to a wider audience, the intricate detail and imaginative concept are sure to appeal to those who appreciate the artistry and creativity inherent in the steampunk genre. 


Whether displayed as a miniature work of art or sent as a unique greeting, this postcard offers a glimpse into a world where technology and fantasy intertwine. Collectors and fans of steampunk art may find this printed piece a delightful addition to their collections, a testament to the enduring allure of imaginative design.


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Thursday, April 24, 2025

A Radio Postcard Journey - 52


German Postcard Depicts Sheep's SOS Message. A radio-themed postcard sent from Germany on March 9, 2020, has surfaced, featuring a cartoon sheep wearing headphones and operating a radio. The radio displays the international distress signal "S.O.S." The postcard also includes the German phrase "Mählde Dich mal!" which translates to "Get in touch!" or "Call me!". The sender is identified as Nicole. The meaning of the image and the message together suggests a playful call for communication, perhaps with a humorous twist given the sheep character. Copyright by R. Brockhaus Verlag Wuppertal, with design by Werner Tiki Küstenmacher.


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Wednesday, April 23, 2025

A Radio Postcard Journey - 51


A unique postcard showcasing handcrafted Bluetooth stereos has arrived from across the globe, sent by Rosanne from the USA on May 9th, 2024. The eye-catching mailer serves as an advertisement for Rare Bird Stereos, a company specializing in transforming vintage aesthetics into modern audio devices.


The postcard highlights a collection of these distinctive, handmade Bluetooth stereos, each appearing to be crafted from repurposed retro radios and other nostalgic items. This creative blend of old-school charm and contemporary technology is the brainchild of Kaden Hill, the owner and designer behind Rare Bird Stereos.


The postcard also provides contact information for those intrigued by these one-of-a-kind audio systems, listing the website www.RareBirdStereos.com and an Instagram handle, @RareBirdStereos. This innovative approach to combining vintage design with modern functionality is clearly striking a chord, even inspiring postcards to travel across continents.


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Monday, April 21, 2025

A Radio Postcard Journey - 50


Postcard Unveils Early Vision of Sound Control. A recently received postcard offers a fascinating glimpse into early 20th-century imaginings of sound technology. The image on the card, by artist Giulio Paolini, is part of a 1984 release by Italian broadcaster RAI and marketed by PosteItaliane. Sent via the Postcrossing forum by Isabetta from Italy, the card also depicts a radio valve housed in the RADIO AND TELEVISION MUSEUM OF TURIN.


Intriguingly, the postcard features a quote from Giuseppe Antonio Borgese, written in 1929, which eerily foreshadows modern audio control. Borgese mused, "Let us be slaves of time, servants of sounds, carried away by sound waves..... one can imagine that one day sounds will be controlled by us like light, with a small device for each room."


His vision extends to imagining "the little black button: darkness of sounds, astral silence: the little white button: irruptions of all the sounds of the universe." This poetic excerpt highlights a long-held fascination with manipulating and commanding audio, a reality now commonplace with devices at our fingertips. The postcard serves as a unique intersection of art, history, and a prescient understanding of future technology.


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Sunday, April 20, 2025

A Radio Postcard Journey - 49


Werben's Broadcasting Museum Featured on Postcard Hanseatic City of Werben, Germany. A recently received postcard offers a glimpse into the rich history of broadcasting, showcasing the exhibits of the Broadcasting Museum (Rundfunkmuseum) located in the historic Hanseatic city of Werben.


The postcard, sent by Lutz In golf Peters from Germany through the Postcrossing initiative, features a collage of images. Prominently displayed are numerous vintage radios, including classic valve radio sets, which were instrumental in the early days of radio transmission.


The postcard itself was produced by Milan Bold, with the photographs captured by Rudiger Haase. The images provide a visual tour of the museum, highlighting the evolution of radio technology over the decades.

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Saturday, April 19, 2025

A Radio Postcard Journey - 48

 

A Glimpse of Beijing Olympics Through a China Post Prepaid Postcard. This sticker prepaid postcard, issued and marketed by China Post, offers a snapshot of the excitement surrounding the Beijing Olympics. Released to commemorate the grand sporting event, this postcard also coincided with the launch of China's dedicated CCTV Olympic Channel, highlighting the nation's fervor for the Games.


Bearing the individual number 0177963, this collectible item offers more than just well wishes. Its design is a fascinating blend of technology and nostalgia. The pictures features a captivating array of eight distinct radio sets alongside a solitary gramophone player. This juxtaposition likely symbolizes the evolution of communication and entertainment, perhaps nodding to the modern broadcasting of the Olympics while acknowledging older forms of media.


Adding further intrigue to this postal artifact are the three special Pictorial Cancellations it bears. These unique markings, often applied to commemorate specific events or locations, would undoubtedly hold significance for collectors and add layers to the postcard's story.


This particular postcard embarked on its journey through the Postcrossing Forum in 2021, sent by Ashlay from China. This detail underscores the global reach of postcards and the way they connect people across borders, even after the initial celebratory event has passed. This China Post prepaid postcard, with its Olympic connection, technological imagery, special cancellations, and Postcrossing journey, serves as a tangible piece of history and a testament to the enduring appeal of both philately and international connection.


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Free Summer Workshop on Philately & Postcrossing

Postally Hut and Madras Postcrossing Commune Announce Free Summer Workshop on Philately & Postcrossing


Postally Hut and the Madras Postcrossing Commune are delighted to announce a joint five-day summer workshop on the fascinating hobbies of philately (stamp collecting) and postcrossing (sending and receiving postcards from around the world). This engaging and educational workshop is *free* and open to participants of all age groups.


The workshop will be held every Saturday starting from April 27th, 2025, to May 25th, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Chess Square, Nageswara Rao Park, Luz Ave, Bhaskarapuram, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004.


Participants will have the opportunity to delve into the captivating worlds of stamps and postcards through a series of interactive sessions covering various aspects of these enriching pastimes:


27.04.2025: Introduction to Postcrossing

04.05.2025: The Art of Postcard Writing

11.05.2025: Discovering Postage Stamps

18.05.2025: Exploring Special Covers

25.05.2025: Postcard Journaling


This workshop provides a unique platform for individuals to learn about different cultures, improve their writing skills, and connect with people globally through the simple joy of sending and receiving postcards. Philately enthusiasts will gain insights into the history, design, and significance of postage stamps.


Registration is mandatory for participation. Interested individuals are requested to scan the QR code provided in the poster to register for the workshop.


The workshop is organized by Dr. T. Jaisakthivel.


Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to explore the exciting worlds of philately and postcrossing!


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Postcrossing Diary - 20