Rare 1931 Hand-Drawn NYC Amateur Ham Radio QSL Card – W2KR to W9DCX
Up for auction is a genuinely unique, 100% hand-drawn and hand-lettered vintage QSL card dating back to the golden age of amateur radio. Sent from operator Morton B. Kahn (W2KR) in New York City to station W9DCX on December 29, 1931.
Unlike standard printed cards of the era, this is a piece of radio folk art, completely illustrated in black ink on heavy cardstock.
🎨 Visual & Historical Highlights
- Unique Art Style: Features a fantastic, stylized Art Deco/depression-era cartoon drawing of a giant radio operator stepping across the New York City skyline, holding an iconic vintage microphone. Frame pictured is not included only swl card.
- Fascinating Station Specs: The card serves as a historical record of early 1930s radio gear, listing:
- Transmitter: "20 '49 Tube" with "AERO Coils 10-100 M"
- Receiver: "3 Circuit Tuner / 2 Stages AF Amp"
- Audio: "WE Phones Superiors"
- Global Reach: Note on the card boasts: "DX - WORKED 59 Countries, 5 Continents."
- Operator Info: Signed by operator Morton B. Kahn, listing his address at 617 W. 147th Street, New York, N.Y.
📏 Condition & Measurements
- Dimensions: Approximately 5" x 3" (Standard early QSL sizing—see photos next to ruler for exact scale).
- Condition: Excellent vintage condition for a 95-year-old paper item. It features a beautifully aged, natural sepia patina. The card remains crisp with sharp corners. The reverse side is blank with minor historical ink smudging/transfer from creation. No major folds, tears, or creases. (Two tiny staple holes on the far left edge from a historical album mount, as shown).
📦 Shipping & Handling
- Professional Packaging: Ships enclosed in a crystal-clear archival sleeve and sandwiched securely between rigid cardboard to ensure it arrives in the exact condition shown.
*Tracking Included: Ships via USPS Ground Advantage fully insured with full tracking.
*Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind piece of early American radio history and NYC folk art! Perfect for framing, a radio shack display, or a premium QSL collection. Frame not included.