Via DX Listening Digest: EKKO stamps that were printed back in the 1920s and 1930s by the American Bank Note Company for the EKKO stamp company in Chicago. The American Bank Note Company printed many items, including money for foreign countries in addition to postage stamps. Postage stamps are ``legal documents`` which is why you will find them on old documents, canceled, such as birth certificates, etc. These stamps were issued to AM broadcast band stations. Just do a search on EKKO STAMP; for starters:
Adventist World Radio included the EKKO on their QSL card: http://www181.pair.com/otsw/AWR-Stamps.html ``the 1920s broadcast radio's equivalent to ham radio's QSL cards`` Some nice close ups of the stamps: http://www.antiqueradio.com/gilbertcombs_ekko_6-97.html Like the stamps that were made for the mattress tags, whiskey caps, etc. the EKKO stamps are known as ``cinderellas`` to the stamp world, although unlike the others mentioned, are not depicted in stamp catalogs: http://www.rigastamps.com/cindprim/columns/ekko/ This link actually shows the EKKO stamp album: http://home.earthlink.net/~mri/ This site actually has a ``proof of reception`` form and card: http://uv201.com/Misc_Pages/letterheads_6.htm http://www.uskafr.ch/articles/hb9rs/hb9rs_qslstamps.pdf (Konnie Rychalsky, July 7, swl at qth.net via DXLD) One of the best places to get info on these stamps is: http://home.earthlink.net/~mri/ They are on EBAY all (most of) the time, usually go for $5 plus per stamp. KFI (Los Angeles) gave them out a few years ago with QSL cards (70's), although they were not the EKKO printed stamps varieties. I recall one not to long ago (within 10 years) from some AM radio station or another, but can't put my finger on it right now. A slight clarification: ||Like the stamps that were made for the mattress tags, whiskey caps, etc. the EKKO stamps are known as ``cinderellas`` to the stamp world, although unlike the others mentioned, are not depicted in stamp catalogs|| One major difference here. While all of these stamps mentioned above are called "cinderellas" (a term used to mean non-main stream stamp issues), only the items that actually resemble stamps should be considered as cinderellas. The prime difference is that most of these stamps (caps, etc) were issued by some form of government in order to show proof of a "tax" having been paid on the item. They were usually printed by the government and issued as some form of revenue stamps (items). The EKKO and other "radio verification" stamps were issued as a promotional affair to get people interested in listening to radio stations and trying to hear all 50 states (for awards). These "stamps" were also printed by a private printing company. Quite a large hobby developed around the collecting of these items. Hence, they aren't ever going to show up in "Stamp Catalogs". You can get them (not cheaply) at a lot of stamp dealers, internet auctions, and yes Martha, even estate sales from time to time (the last being the cheapest way to get them). Hope this helped somewhat. Check out the above site and all your questions will be answered (Bob Combs., KCA6RC New Mexico, ibid.) ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for Your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at Myinks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/sOykFB/k9VGAA/ySSFAA/zBTolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ ---[Start Commercial]--------------------- World Radio TV Handbook 2003 is out! Order it now! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0823059677/hardcoredxcom ---[End Commercial]----------------------- ________________________________________ Hard-Core-DX mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www2.hard-core-dx.com/mailman/listinfo/hard-core-dx http://www.hard-core-dx.com/ _______________________________________________ THE INFORMATION IN THIS ARTICLE IS FREE. It may be copied, distributed and/or modified under the conditions set down in the Design Science License published by Michael Stutz at http://dsl.org/copyleft/dsl.txt