Before the digital era and even before the telephone was universal there was a time when people sent voice messages by mail. And in one of the most fascinating postal innovations of the 20th century, Argentina issued a stamp to support exactly that.
Known as Recorded Message Stamps, or CORREOS FONOPOSTAL, these unique issues weren’t just for postage they prepaid the fees for sending audio recordings on physical discs through the mail.
Let’s explore this remarkable chapter of postal history.
📀 What Are Recorded Message Stamps?
Recorded Message Stamps are postage stamps designed to cover the cost of mailing recorded discs—essentially early voice messages sent via the national postal system. Rather than just writing a letter, senders could record spoken words onto phonograph discs, package them, and post them like any letter.
These stamps are:
-
Issued in Argentina in 1939,
-
Inscribed “CORREOS FONOPOSTAL” meaning “Phonopostal Mail”
-
Valued at 1.18 pesos, as seen in the featured design with a stylized dove and disc motif.
They were part of a visionary project that blended postal services with emerging sound technology—a concept that was both futuristic and accessible.
🕊️ The Design and Symbolism
The stamp itself is a miniature work of communication art. It features:
-
A white dove in flight, symbolizing peace and message delivery,
-
A black phonograph disc below it, representing the recorded message,
-
A monochrome gray and black color palette that gave the stamp a sleek, modern feel in its day.
The inscription “CORREOS FONOPOSTAL” clearly signals the purpose of the issue, making it a highly identifiable and collectible specialty stamp.
🌍 Global Context and Imitators
While Argentina is the only country known to issue a dedicated stamp for recorded message delivery, other countries also offered similar services, though with less fanfare or formality:
-
United Kingdom: Operated a voice-message-by-post scheme during wartime but used standard stamps and specialized postmarks.
-
Irish Republic and Taiwan: Ran comparable services, often with special stationery or labels but no unique stamp issues.
This makes the Argentine Fonopostal stamp both a philatelic rarity and a standout innovation in the broader history of postal experimentation.
🔊 The Technology Behind the Service
The Fonopostal service involved:
-
A sender visiting a post office kiosk or mobile recording unit,
-
Recording their spoken message onto a phonograph disc (typically 78 RPM),
-
The disc being packaged and mailed with the appropriate stamp attached.
Upon arrival, the recipient could play the disc on a home record player a surprisingly intimate form of communication for its time. It was especially valued during times of separation, such as wartime deployments or long-distance family relations.
💡 Why It Matters to Collectors
The Correos Fonopostal stamp is highly collectible for several reasons:
-
Limited use and short-lived service,
-
Cultural significance as a technological experiment,
-
Striking visual design, especially when found on original packaging or mailers,
-
Its role in blending sound and postal history a rare hybrid in philately.
Covers bearing both the stamp and the original disc are even rarer and considered prized exhibits in thematic collections.
That was a new Knowledge. But how did people afford to send these messages and also , how popular these record players were so public could afford owning them.