Retro Audio

Overview

From the early 1950s to the 1970s, many Australians enjoyed gathering around a radio or record player, as well as a unit that combined them both, the radiogram. These multi-function entertainment units were manufactured in Australia, largely from Australian components and cabinetry, though often with turntables imported from Britain. They ranged in size from 30-centimetre portable units to two-metre-long furniture pieces. A key feature was the auto-changer, and most played four record speeds. Early radiograms contained valve amplifiers, until the mid-1960s, when many Australian models began to move to the smaller, cheaper and more energy-efficient transistorised amplifier. The 1960s also saw the introduction of the “stereophonic” record player (with multichannel sound, as opposed to single-channel mono). This transformed the radiogram into the “stereogram”, and some later models even incorporated a television. The golden age of Australian radio and radiogram manufacture took a downturn in the 1970s, when a change in import laws saw an influx of cheaper imports. In the 1980s, the record was made largely redundant by the compact disc, but vinyl has made a distinct mainstream comeback in recent years.

Stamp photographs by Melissa Webb.

Technical specifications

Issue date: 20 February 2024
Issue withdrawal date: 1 September 2024
Denomination: $1.20 x 3
Stamp design/illustration: Melissa Webb
Product design: Jo Muré, Australia Post Design Studio
Paper: gummed: Tullis Russell 104gsm Red Phosphor/Blue PVA Stamp Paper
Paper: self-adhesive: Domain Securpost/C Print 100 P8P / Non-Phos
Printer: RA Printing
Printing process: Offset lithography
Stamp size (mm): 37.5mm x 26mm/26mm x 37.5mm
Perforations: 13.86 x 14.6/14.6 x 13.86
Sheet layout: Module of 50 (2 x 25 no design)
FDI Postmark: Altona VIC 3018
FDI withdrawal date: 20 March 2024

Stamps in this issue

$1.20 HMV Caprice, 1961

The popular HMV Caprice was a mid-range stereogram in a low-boy unit, released in 1961. It had a four-valve amplifier, AM radio and BSR fully-automatic turntable.

$1.20 Kriesler Master Multi Sonic, 1966

The 1966 Kriesler Master Multi Sonic was a hi-fidelity, top-of-the-line stereogram, which boasted eight speakers. It included a plug-in microphone, eight-valve amplifier and a Garrard fully-automatic turntable.

$1.20 AWA B28 Portable, 1963

The 1963 pale-pink AWA B28 was a portable and battery-operated mono record player, an affordable option for the youth market. While not a high-quality item, it included AWA’s revolutionary, locally-produced transistor amplifier. AWA (Amalgamated Wireless Australasia Ltd) was the first manufacturer in Australia to produce a transistor radio.