In the early half of the 20th Century, radio stations sent hand-written letters as a way to confirm a two-way radio transmission between fellow broadcasters. Eventually, stations would bypass the letter altogether by sending a pre-formed card, known as a QSL card, that would contain that info, along with a range of graphics.
These graphics take center stage in a new artbook by Parisian artist, Antwan Horfee, titled Buzzard Control: A book about QSL cards culture.
‘QSL?’ is radio lingo for ‘Do you receive me?’ and ‘QSL’ means ‘I receive you’. The first one was sent from Buffalo, New York back in 1916 and the back of these cards quickly turned into a blank slate where radio enthusiasts could promote various services, clubs and societies.
Horfee has amassed around 3,000 QSL cards since he first discovered the artform at a New York flea market. Many of them are neatly laid out across 272 pages of luxurious Fedrigoni Arena Extra White Rough 120 gsm paper. The book is published by TOPSAFE and is available to purchase for $46 USD (unsigned) and $52 USD (signed).
In other art news, LY partnered with Avant Arte on two new artist editions.
wazup.