Commemorating the opening of BBC Broadcasting House, London, in 1932
British Broadcasting Association
Broadcast Album
[Issued on behalf of the BBC]: 1932
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An exceedingly rare original 1932 cloth-bound photograph album issued by the BBC in 1932 to commemorate the opening of their new Broadcasting House in Great Portland Street, London.
The album is titled in gilt on the spine "Vol 1, 1932". However, we have been unable to trace a second volume as ever having been issued.
The album, 7 x 13 inches (17 x 33 cms), contains some 60 photographs, printed in sepia in photogravure, slit-mounted on 35 leaves. Some photos are large with one per leaf, others smaller with two to a leaf. Each "page" has accompanying text
describing the subject matter of the photo(s) on the page in question.
The photographs are mainly of individual radio personalities including radio announcers (in contrast to today's cult of personality, the album reports that "The BBC prevents us ... from publishing their names"), sports broadcasters, and entertainers. Popular radio dance bands of the period (Roy Fox, Ambrose, the BBC Dance Orchestra, etc) and children's entertainers are also shown.
In virtually unmarked condition, as issued nearly 80 years ago.
An outstanding piece of rare and original Broadcasting House memorabilia, offered at a time when this same building is itself in course of major renovation and redevelopment. UKBI rarity scale 5.
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